Bob Corritore Newsletter

I love this newsletter that Bob sends out to people on his email list. Not only does it cover what he is doing, but it also covers what everyone else is doing. Plus he has links to some great videos. Check out the Johnny Shines videos that he linked to at the bottom of the post. Great stuff!!!!!!!!!!!!

January 17, 2008

• Travelin' The Dirt Road is #1 in France! The CD Dave Riley and Bob Corritore/Travelin' The Dirt Road on Blue Witch Records is #1 on the January Powerblues chart of France! This is a collective rating done by the blues DJs of this country. A huge thank you to the radio show hosts and blues lovers of France for this beautiful honor. To view the Powerblues listing, click here. This CD also has received a Blues Music Award nomination from The Blues Foundation for "Acoustic Blues Album". Please remember this CD in your BMA voting.
• Bob Margolin, Diunna Greenleaf, Big Pete Pearson and the Rhythm Room All-Stars Friday and Saturday at the Rhythm Room! Joining Big Pete Pearson and The Rhythm Room All-Stars Friday and Saturday, January 18-19, 2008 will be our dear friends guitarist/vocalist Bob Margolin and vocalist Diunna Greenleaf. Look for some zesty blues performances that all the participants in this line-up are known for. To view the poster for this event, click here. The Rhythm Room is located at 1019 E. Indian School Road, Phoenix, AZ 85014. Doors open at 8pm, cover charge is $10. Rack Shack Barbeque will be available at this event. These nights will be patio smoking only events; no indoor smoking will be permitted.
• Tomcat Courtney CD Cover Unveiled: The cover of Tomcat Courtney/Downsville Blues has been completed. This is one of the most anticipated of Bob Corritore's productions in that it is the first national release by this amazing blues master who has been the secret treasure of San Diego. Tomcat, now 78, was originally from around Waco, Texas, and grew up in the neighboring small town called Downsville (therefore the name of the title song of the album). The cover photo is by Nena Anderson, and cover design by Tony Amato of Amato Image Design, who has designed numerous great CD covers for Bob. Thanks to Dale Baich and Beth Lipham of Blue Witch Records. The rest of the packaging will be unveiled shortly and will include some vintage Tomcat photos plus additional images by Nena Anderson and Tony Tomlinson (of The Fremonts) as well as liner notes by Bill Dahl. But the real treat will be the amazing music that will be coming soon with a release date soon to be announced for later this year. Look for some real down home blues by this spectacular vocalist/guitarist and songsmith. To see the cover of Tomcat Courtney/Downsville Blues, click here.
• Thanks Juke Blues: The latest beautiful issue of the UK's Juke Blues Magazine features glowing reviews of Chief Schabuttie Gilliame/Snakes Crawls at Night and Willie "Big Eyes" Smith/Way Back, both of which are Bob Corritore's productions. Also in this great issue is an in depth article about the One-Derful label from Chicago, Sherman Robertson, Leon Haywood, and Evejim Records, and a great photo of Bobby Robinson at a rally in Harlem to save his landmark record store from landlord eviction.
• Superbowl Blues Pre-Party at Rhythm Room announced: Dave Riley and Bob Corritore (with band) will be the hosts of Super Bowl Eve Blues showcase on February 2, 2008 that will include special guests Long John Hunter and Big Pete Pearson. The Rhythm Room is located at 1019 E. Indian School Road, Phoenix, AZ 85014. Doors open at 8pm, cover charge is $10. Rack Shack Barbeque will be available at this event. This night will be a patio smoking only event; no indoor smoking will be permitted.
• Johnny Shines on YouTube: One of the greatest country blues singers and guitarists, Johnny Shines has frequently been overlooked . He was a traveling companion of the legendary Robert Johnson. Shines was a stirring slide player and had a rich and electrifying voice. He started his recording career in the 1950's cutting sides on J.O.B. and Chess. He would make an easy transition back and forth between solo country blues and ensemble Chicago blues, of which he played both styles to perfection. For his bio, click here. Seeing these videos reminds us of his brilliance in the blues. Please enjoy.

Johnny performing a fantastic version of "Sweet Home Chicago" on acoustic guitar. Done in the style of Robert Johnson but with all of Johnny's amazing musical personality, click here.

Johnny Shines performing a shortened version of his song Ramblin' on electric guitar, originally recorded on the J.O.B. label. Great slide guitar, click here

Johnny Shines performing Ramblin' on acoustic guitar live in concert, click here.

-Bob