Bob Corritore & Friends — “Doin’ the Shout” — VizzTone Label Group
Bob Corritore, who’s been a keeper of the big blues flame for decades, is back with another scorching album for your front burner.
“Doin’ the Shout” is another of Corritore’s masterful efforts to present fresh takes on the classic Chicago blues sound. He does it by using a seemingly endless supply of his talented Friends, who all just happen to be gifted musical veterans. And that includes Corritore himself, who weaves his magical harp throughout.
“Shout,” which VizzTone says is Corritore’s 30th release, is comprised of recording sessions from 2023 and 2024, and which represent a simply gorgeous collection of fine blues from extra-fine artists. And the album cover art, in the style of many Corritore releases, is its own artistic pleasure.
The Friends here include Bobby Rush, Thornetta Davis, Bob Stroger, Francine Reed, John Primer, Dave Keys, Nora Jean Bruso, Oscar Wilson, Tia Carroll, Bob Margolin, Jimi Primetime Smith, Carla Denise, Johnny Burgin, Kid Ramos, Johnny Main, Johnny Rapp, Anthony Geraci, Ben Levin, Lewis Nash, Steve Ferrone, Chester Thompson and Mark Earley.
The rollicking opening track “Say, Baby, Say” is a swinging take on a 1950 tune by Alberta Adams, done here by Thornetta Davis, with Corritore rocking his harp. The slow-blues scorcher “Woman Wanted” is handled by big-voiced vocalist Oscar Wilson of The Cash Box Kings, with Bob Margolin on steamy slide guitar. The title track follows, written and terrifically sung by Nora Jean Bruso.
The heartfelt ballad “I Guess I’m A Fool,” written by Memphis Slim (Peter Chatman), gets a soulful treatment from the ageless Francine Reed and mournful Corritore harp. Bruso struts in again with the powerful shuffle, “It’s My Life,” then Wilson returns with another wicked slow blues, “Just A Dream,” his vocal turning rich and soulful.
Bobby Rush lends his legendary talents to the session by writing and delivering a slyly libidinous “I’ve Got Three Problems,” with some deep blue Corritore harp and rolling B3 by Chester Thompson. Davis wrote her next tune, the joyously uptempo “That Don’t Appease Me,” with Dave Keys on piano. Tia Carroll offers the swampy “I’ve Got To Be With You Tonight,” from the Slim Harpo (James Moore) songbook, with stinging guitar from Kid Ramos and Johnny Main.
John Primer holds forth with the tough shuffle, “Twenty Room House,” featuring Anthony Geraci romping on piano. Jimi “Primetime” Smith and Carla Denise join on a romping duet, “Same Old Thing.” The closer is an original by Bob Stroger, the slow-dancing, belt-buckle polishing languid blues of “My First Love.”
Just because I didn’t mention him on every track, Corritore’s impeccable harp work enhances every song, while the multitudinous Friends add just the right blues notes.
“Doin’ the Shout” is an album packed with real-deal blues the way they were meant to be played — and meant to be heard — from the heart and soul of the music. Bob Corritore just keeps finding new ways to revitalize America’s classical music.
Here’s “I’ve Got Three Problems” from the album:
Tracklist:
1. Say Baby Say – 3:25
2. Woman Wanted – 3:16
3. Doin’ The Shout! – 4:34
4. I Guess I’m A Fool – 4:14
5. It’s My Life – 3:35
6. Just A Dream – 4:54
7. I’ve Got Three Problems – 4:16
8. That Don’t Appease Me – 3:57
9. I’ve Got To Be With You Tonight – 4:00
10. Twenty Room House – 4:43
11. Same Old Thing – 3:41
12. My First Love – 4:04
Blues Roadhouse 