The latest from Bob Corritore
July 14, 2008
- Paris James and Bob Corritore Performing Wednesday at the Rhythm Room: Whenever Paris James and Bob Corritore perform down-home blues together, their friendship and musical camaraderie are always apparent. They will appear together this Wednesday for a rare get-together at the Rhythm Room, with an opening set by Nina Curri. The Rhythm Room is located at 1019 E. Indian School Road, Phoenix, AZ 85014. Doors open at 7:30pm, cover charge is $5. This night will be a patio smoking only event; no indoor smoking will be permitted. Check out a video of Paris and Bob performing at the Rhythm Room on Paris's MySpace (click here).
- Thank You, Mississippi Valley Blues Festival: Over the 4th Of July weekend, The Rhythm Room All-Stars featuring Big Pete Pearson had the extreme pleasure of performing at the Mississippi Valley Blues Festival in Davenport, Iowa. This annual event, now in its 24th year, is considered one of the greatest blues festivals in the US, and they subtitle the event "Where Legends Come to Play". Because of the flooding in the region, this year's festival was moved to the downtown area, and we performed in the beautiful Adler Theatre to a full house and a warm and enthusiastic reception. Earlier that day, Bob Corritore (with the help of Chris James) ran a harmonica workshop, which was also a wonderful experience. We earned many new fans, and added another great experience to the band's resume. We cherished running into many friends: Billy Boy Arnold, Billy Flynn, Blues Sister Jeannie, Dirk Wissbaum (whose photo exhibit at the festival included an image of Bob visiting Sonny Boy Williamson's grave), The Kinsey Report, Otis Taylor, his daughter Cassie, Jonn Richardson, Steve James, Del Rey, Phil Guy, Jimmy Thackery, Jody Williams, Bob Stroger, Kenny "Beedy Eyes" Smith, David Horwitz, Doug MacLeod, Kilborn Alley Blues Band, Deak Harp, Karen McFarland, Tony Braunagel, Little Bobby, Mike Livermore, Angela Dooley, Jeff Collier, Koko Taylor and her daughter Cookie, Roz Goldberg, Westside Slim, and many others. Thanks to the Harry Turner Agency for getting us this gig.
- Article on BMAs and Delta Groove Showcase in Blues Art Studio: Check out another overview and photo recap of the amazing 3rd Annual Delta Groove Showcase last May in Clarksdale. Blues Art Studio is a wonderful website that has been a gathering point for information from all over the blues world. To see the recap, click here.
- New CD of Unissued William Clarke Material Released: Jeanette Clarke-Lodovici, the widow of the late West Coast harmonica master William Clarke, has gone into the vaults to release a beautiful CD by her late husband titled One More Again on Watch Dog Records. This disc features 10 unreleased studio tracks recorded around 1993 in Los Angeles with a great band featuring Alex Schultz, Rick Reed, Eddie Clark, Steve F'dor, and of course, William Clarke. These simply joyous recordings showcase a fully realized artist, singing and playing harmonica at the top of his game. The West Coast approach to harmonica has a particular character that combines swinging 50's sounding bands with stand-up bass, and full toned harmonica playing that often uses an octave approach that was first introduced by George "Harmonica" Smith. Though often likened to the harmonica-driven Chicago blues of the 1950s, the West Coast harmonica approach actually has a much different character and sound. William was a master and a pioneer that helped to define and develop that West Coast style. His great records on the Alligator record label helped to bring this zesty, swinging sound to a wider audience. William died an untimely death in 1996 due to complications of a bleeding ulcer. He was 45 years old. His wife Jeanette has blessed us with this gorgeous look at a great man who passionately lived his music every day of his too-short life. This CD may be hard to find in your local record store, but it can be ordered from Bluebeat Music, which specializes in hard-to-find blues issues. Jeanette hopes to issues future CDs of more unreleased material by William Clarke. For now, we have this one to celebrate.
- Tomcat Courtney Featured on XM-Satellite Radio & Reviewed in Poland's Twój Blues Magazine! Special thanks to our friend Bill Wax who heads Bluesville, the blues channel on XM Satellite Radio for featuring Tomcat Courtney/Downsville Blues on Blue Witch Records on his "Picks To Click" for this week. Bill is a true friend of the blues, and our cheerleader and support system! Thanks to Bill and to all of the blues radio hosts all around the world who are supporting this release with airplay. Also, the latest issue of Poland's Twój Blues Magazine features a glowing review of Downsville Blues by writer Pawe³ Yoda Jodko. Thank you to Twój Blues, and all our blues fans in Poland.
- Nappy Still Hospitalized! Steve Hecht of Piedmont Talent sent this press release today: Blind Pig recording artist Nappy Brown, one of the first R&B stars in the mid-50s and one of the last classic blues shouters, has been hospitalized in Charlotte, North Carolina for about a month now. The rhythm and blues pioneer has been enjoying a heady career resurgence since the release of his universally acclaimed CD, Long Time Coming last September, culminating in two recent Blues Music Award nominations. His summer tour has been canceled due to his illness. It is uncertain when he will be released. This extended stay in the hospital is a lonely and trying time for Nappy. If you would like to send get cards or pass on your appreciation, you may send to:
Napoleon Culp c/o
Carolinas Medical Center
1000 Blythe Boulevard
Charlotte, NC 28203
- Lineup Announced for Rhythm Room’s Down Home Blues Festival, Sunday, August 31, 2008: The Rhythm Room hosts an annual Down Home Blues Festival on the Sunday of Labor Day weekend each year. The complete lineup has just been finalized, and includes Tail Dragger, Eddie Taylor, Jr., Tomcat Courtney, Big Pete Pearson, The Rhythm Room All-Stars and Paris James. Tail Dragger is a keeper of the Howlin' Wolf flame, and has received much notoriety of late for his great DVD My Head Is Bald on the Delmark Record Label and last fall's extensive tour of Europe. Eddie Taylor, Jr. is the son of Chicago blues guitar master Eddie Taylor, who was an essential part of the Jimmy Reed sound. Eddie Jr. can recreate stirring versions of his father's songs with a naturally similar voice and guitar sound. Tomcat Courtney returns to grace us with his amazing voice, down home Texas country blues guitar and rousing showmanship. Big Pete Pearson's powerful vocals have earned him a world wide reputation as a masterful blues master. The Rhythm Room All-Stars with Bob Corritore, Chris James, Patrick Rynn, and Brian Fahey will serve as the host band for this event. All the members in this band have extensive blues resumes and will provide consummate and flexible backing as well as fronting a portion of the show. Paris James has been a down home blues torchbearer in Phoenix for his entire adult life, having learned guitar from watching the late Reverend Louis Overstreet while attending his services every Sunday morning. The Rhythm Room is located at 1019 E. Indian School Road, Phoenix, AZ 85014. Doors open at 7pm, cover charge is $12. Rack Shack Barbeque will be available at this event. This night will be a patio smoking only event; no indoor smoking will be permitted.
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