I had the pleasure of seeing John Primer at the Rhythm Room this weekend. If you don't know the Rhythm Room it's the kind of place that you want to go see a real blues band. Dark, great acoustics, beer... and great music. John was joined onstage by Bob Corritore and the Rhythm Room Allstars as well as Barrellhouse Chuck. Primer played two nights this weekend and from what I could see it was pretty much packed both nights. If you haven't seen Primer, he lays out a solid set of Chicago style blues just mixing in a little soul (and even some Marshall Tucker - "Can't You See"). Primer is a fine guitar player as well as vocalist and Bob Corritore is a great harp player although the place was so packed that Bobs harp was a little sucked up by the bodies... lot of great riffs but in some cases you had to strain to hear his soloing. The rest of the band wasn't too loud... just the highs of his harp weren't cuttting through...but the tone was golden.
Primer plays primarily a Epi Casino and it sounded great. They started at 9:15p and played till 1:15a with only a short intermission. Barrelhouse Chuck who played as a featured guest of the allstars actually played a few numbers during the break as well. it was a great night of entertainment and oh yeah...Rolling Rock behind the bar!One comment I have to make is as the crowd gets older the harder it is for them to stay up past 12. The crowd thinned a little in the last 45 minutes and I'm sorry for the players as they may have taken it for a disapproval of their performance but I got to tell you...those who stayed were really in for a treat. In my honest opinion, the best part of the concert was the last 25-30 minutes. Primer donned a Les Paul and played a number of slide numbers.
He played slide earlier in the show as well...but the last few songs were killer. I wasn't in a state of mind to determine which but I suspect in alternate tuning... think Elmore James! Corritore also stepped up more and overall the mix was just perfect at the end. If you left early...good for me!!In any case, it was a great show and if John is coming your way...don't leave early!!
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Great report, Bman. I too was at that show and share your appreciation for all of the players. Thanks again to Bob C for facilitating blues excellent talent that is both top notch and financially affordable for us 'common folk'. No matter where the audience sits or stands in the Rhythm Room, the experience is as if you are blessed to sit right by the stage. John Primer, Barrelhouse Chuck and the rest of the players were a genuine treat!
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