VizzTone Label Group artist Bob Corritore & Friends - Down Home Blues Review - New Release Review

 I just had the opportunity to review the most recent release, Down Home Blues Review, from Bob Corritore & Friends and it's a heaping load of Chicago blues. Opening with Rooster Blues, Robert "Bilbo" Walker is upfront on lead vocal and guitar with Bob Corritore on harmonica and really has the place jumping. Joined by Johnny Rapp on guitar, Paul Thomas on bass Chico Chism on drums this is an excellent opener. Tomcat Courtney has center stage to himself on Clara Mae. With an electrifying voice and great guitar backing and solid backing by Corritore and Chris James, this is another favorite. Henry Townsend has the spotlight on piano and lead vocal on Nothing But Blues, backed by Rapp and Corritore. Nicely balanced, this is a great piano track showcasing Townsend. One of my favorite old school blues men is Dave Honeyboy Edwards and it's a pleasure to hear Take A Little Walk With Me featuring Honeyboy on vocal and guitar, backed by Corritore and Willie "Big Eyes" Smith. Strong. Slower blues, My Money Run Out, is super with great vocals by Al Garrett who also plays guitar, backed by Rapp, Thomas, Chism and of course nice harmonica by Corritore. Dave Riley has the mic on Home In Chicago with strong vocal lead and fluid runs, complimented nicely by Corritore on harmonica, backed by Yahni Riley on bass and Brian Fahey on drums. Wrapping the release is  J.L. Williamson track, Bluebird Blues featuring Big Jack Johnson on lead vocal and guitar. This track is really a great closer with Johnson showing his guitar chops, Corritore getting a nice chance to stretch and with Rapp, Thomas and Chism rounding out the band. This most recent release from Corritore's archives may be my favorite with some really electrifying jams. 

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Delta Groove Music artists: Big Jon Atkinson & Bob Corritore - House Party at Big Jon's - New Release Review

I just received the newest release, House Party at Big Jon's, from Big Jon Atkinson & Bob Corritore and it's a huge side of Chicago blues. Opening with Goin' Back To Tennessee, Big Jon Atkinson is on lead vocal and guitar with Bob Corritore accenting his vocal. Nicely stylized, almost John Mayall/British Blues feel, these guys have a great opener joined by Danny Michael on guitar, Troy Sandow on bass and Brian Fahey on drums. On shuffle track, Here Comes My Baby, Big Jon and Corritore step up the instrumental a bit with a real nice line of instrumental soloing and Malachi Johnson on drums adds a fine snap to the track. Taking the tempo down a bit, It Wasn't Easy, gives Corritore a bit more breathing space and his warm chops fill nicely. Jon has a great singing style which resonates "old style blues" throughout the release and his guitar work on this track is understated but effective. Stepping up with She's My Crazy Little Baby, Jon really delivers on vocal. This is a real cool track and Corritore takes a real nice harp solo working nicely with Jon's lead. On At The Meeting, long time friend of Corritore, Dave Riley, takes the lead on vocal and guitar. With it's laid back feel and cradled by Corritore's harp work, this track has a bluesy, spiritual feel. Mojo Hand is a nicely paced shuffle with cool rim shot drive by Johnson. I really like Alabama Mike's vocal lead on this track and Big Jon's vocals paired with Corritore's harp work on this track make it one of my favorites on the release. Tomcat Courtney has lead vocal and guitar on Mojo In My Bread, and his vocals are rich and refreshing. With it's easy pace and Corritore harp interplay with Courtney, this track is really nice. Mad About It springs to life with a blast and Big Jon is back on lead vocal. The quality of these recordings is really cool with a minimum of processing giving them a real authentic feel. Slide work by Jon and bass work by Sandow really gives the track an edge. Empty Bedroom has a bit of a R&B feel and with Elmore James like swing, this track is another of my favorites. I'm Gonna Miss You Like The Devil has a real super feel with Corritore taking a straightforward harp lead and tight rhythm by Brian Fahey. Willie Buck takes the lead on You Want Me To Trust You, and I love his phrasing. Jon takes a real nice walk on the fretboard on this track and Corritore's harp work adds great punctuation. Riley is back on lead vocal on Mississippi Plow, a track with a healthy Muddy Waters feel. Corritore steps up with a harp solo followed by on by Jon. Very nice. Latin influence on El Centro sets it apart from the rest of the release with it being a clean instrumental. Jon guitar work is cool and Fahey's drums have a 60's beach party feel. Very nice. On shuffle track, I'm A King Bee, Willie Buck is back on lead vocal and he's perfect for the job. With just the right amount of swing, this is another of my favorites on the release. A tight bottom and Corritore's harp work compliment Jon's guitar lead perfectly. Alabama Mike is back on lead vocal for and emotional, Somebody Done Changed The Lock On My Door. His vocals are exceptional and paired with Jon's guitar work, make this another of my favorites on the release. Wrapping the release is My Feelings Won't Be Hurt with a stiff swat from Johnson and some of Jon's best vocals on the release. Corritore takes a real nice solo on this track and Jon's guitar work is tight and cool. This release isn't flashy but it is cool and real blues. Enjoy!

  

  If you support live Blues acts, up and coming Blues talents and want to learn more about Blues news and Fathers of the Blues, Like ---Bman’s Blues Report--- Facebook Page! I’m looking for great talent and trying to grow the audience for your favorites band! -  ”LIKE”

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Downsville Blues - Tomcat Courtney

The rest of world is about to discover what San Diego has known for 35 years; Tomcat Courtney is an authentic bluesman in the best of Texas country blues tradition. At the age of 78, Tomcat Courtney made his national debut on May 20th, 2008 with the release of “Downsville Blues” on Blue Witch Records.

A bittersweet return to his old hometown prompted the recording of "Downsville Blues", where his marvelously spare, down-home guitar style and full vocals ring with riveting authority. With mastery earned through years of honing his craft, fans and critics describe Tomcat’s guitar and vocal work as “real”, “authentic”, “distinctive” and “amazing.” An extraordinary songwriter, his gift for writing topical songs grabs the essence of time and place, and shines on as captured in “Downsville Blues”, a wistful hometown remembrance, "Disaster Blues" deploring Hurricane Katrina and "Railroad Avenue", a tribute to visiting an ex-girlfriend who lived along the railroad tracks.

“It isn’t about flash, it is about feeling,” recalls San Diego Entertainment writer Robert Hawkins. “Tomcat is a showman, but he doesn’t shred chords. He heals busted dreams by singing the blues.” Tomcat’s soulful voice resonates with the depth and strength of a man who has lived his lyrics; the old blues come alive in his guitarwork. The songs are rooted in a simpler time, purified by a musician who sanctifies the blues.
If you like what I’m doing, Like ---Bman’s Blues Report--- Facebook Page! I’m looking for great talent and trying to grow the audience for your favorites band! - ”LIKE”

Disaster Blues - Tomcat Courtney

The rest of world is about to discover what San Diego has known for 35 years; Tomcat Courtney is an authentic bluesman in the best of Texas country blues tradition. At the age of 78, Tomcat Courtney made his national debut on May 20th, 2008 with the release of “Downsville Blues” on Blue Witch Records.

A bittersweet return to his old hometown prompted the recording of "Downsville Blues", where his marvelously spare, down-home guitar style and full vocals ring with riveting authority. With mastery earned through years of honing his craft, fans and critics describe Tomcat’s guitar and vocal work as “real”, “authentic”, “distinctive” and “amazing.” An extraordinary songwriter, his gift for writing topical songs grabs the essence of time and place, and shines on as captured in “Downsville Blues”, a wistful hometown remembrance, "Disaster Blues" deploring Hurricane Katrina and "Railroad Avenue", a tribute to visiting an ex-girlfriend who lived along the railroad tracks.

“It isn’t about flash, it is about feeling,” recalls San Diego Entertainment writer Robert Hawkins. “Tomcat is a showman, but he doesn’t shred chords. He heals busted dreams by singing the blues.” Tomcat’s soulful voice resonates with the depth and strength of a man who has lived his lyrics; the old blues come alive in his guitarwork. The songs are rooted in a simpler time, purified by a musician who sanctifies the blues.
If you like what I’m doing, Like ---Bman’s Blues Report--- Facebook Page! I’m looking for great talent and trying to grow the audience for your favorites band! - ”LIKE”