Bob Corritore Newsletter: Update Sean Costello

Important news from Bob Corritore including an update on Candye Kane, Chris Gaffney, and Sean Costello

April 18, 2008

• Candye Kane Surgery Report: Candye's son Evan reports that the surgery went well and that they were able to successfully remove all of the cancerous areas. Candye is now recovering from surgery, and we will update you as we receive more news.

• RIP Chris Gaffney: Bob's friend and former HighTone label mate Chris Gaffney passed away April 17, 2008 from complications of liver cancer. Chris Gaffney was best known for his work with Dave Alvin and The Hacienda Brothers. He was 57. For more information, click here.

• Sean Costello Funeral Arrangements: Sean Costello April 16, 1979-April 15, 2008. Arrangements for Sean Costello have been made; details are spelled out in an article which appeared in the Atlanta Journal-Constitution. The article can be viewed by clicking here.

• First review of Tomcat Courtney! Tomcat Courtney's forthcoming CD, Downsville Blues on Blue Witch Records, received its first review in France's Juke Joint Blues & Soul's website. The review by Jean Luc Varbes can be read in French by clicking here, or translated to English by clicking here. Thank you, Jean Luc, for breaking the ice with this glowing review.

• Some Links Of Interest:

1) La Hora de Blues (Spain) reviews: Dave Riley & Bob Corritore/Travelin' The Dirt Road and Various Artists/House Rockin' And Blues Shoutin!: Celebrating 15 Years Of The Rhythm Room on Blue Witch Records are reviewed by Vicente "Harmonica" Zumel in the online blues magazine La Hora Del Blues. Click here to see.

2) Blues Art Studio's Photo Gallery of Lucerne Blues Festival 2007: Wonderful photos by Dragan Tasic featuring images of Koko Taylor, Sonny Rhodes, Philipp Fankhauser, Janiva Magness, Billy Branch, Big Pete Pearson, Bob Corritore, Bob Margolin, Mike Morgan, Lee McBee, and Zac Harmon performing at this amazing event in Switzerland. Click here to view the photos.

3) Supporting The Blues MySpace: This amazing website has posted reveiws of two of Bob's earliest album productions, Little Willie Anderson and Big Leon Brooks done in the late 70s and early 80s in Chicago, and reissued on CD by Earwig Music. Also on the site are reviews of Nappy Brown/Long Time Coming on Blind Pig Records, Dave Riley & Bob Corritore/Travelin' The Dirt Road on Blue Witch Records and Various Artists/House Rockin' And Blues Shoutin!: Celebrating 15 Years Of The Rhythm Room on Blue Witch Records. Thanks to site proprietor Rob Lehrian for your true support! To see the Supporting The Blues MySpace site, click here.

4) Robert Lockwood, Jr. Tribute Article in Seventh Hour Blues (US): This memorial article of blues master Robert Lockwood, Jr. by Anthony Sapienza appeared last year in Seventh Hour Blues, an online blues magazine, and includes quotes by Bob Corritore as well as photos from Bob's archives. We have added it to the article section of www.bobcorritore.com. Click here to read it. Also, Anthony sent a link to a short documentary of the blues that he put together (Click here to see).

5) Tail Dragger Article in Back To The Roots (Belgium): Franky Bruneel just sent us the Tail Dragger cover story, which includes Bob's quotes and photos. Bob and Tail Dragger used to play together in the late 70s and early 80s, and remain good friends. Click here (article, cover) to see this beautiful article. Click here to see a photo of Tail Dragger holding the issue on magazine's website.

6) Robert Nighthawk Photo Page Added to www.bobcorritore.com: Robert Nighthawk was simply one of the greatest of bluesmen. His deep, molasses-like vocal delivery and crying slide guitar was like that of no other. This photo page was inspired and approved by Robert Nighthawk's daughter, Geni McCollum-Ward, who is currently collecting information regarding her father for a forthcoming book. If you can help, provide any information, photos, or memorabilia, please contact Geni at PgMkr41@aol.com or (773) 994-4468. To see an amazing film short of Robert performing on Maxwell Street, click here. To see this new photo page devoted to Robert Nighthawk, click here.

• Billy Flynn Reflects on Cadillac Blues Soundtrack: In a recent phone conversation, guitarist Billy Flynn spoke of his participation in the recording sessions that will be part of the soundtrack of Cadillac Blues, a movie about the famed Chess Records out of Chicago. Chess was the label responsible for 1950's and 60's hits by Muddy Waters, Little Walter, Sonny Boy Williamson II, Jimmy Rogers, Howlin' Wolf, Bo Diddley, Chuck Berry, Etta James, and many others. Billy will play guitar on many of the selections of the soundtrack, which will recreate classic Chess hits for the movie. The producer/drummer of these sessions was Steve Jordan, best known as the drummer for the Saturday Night Live band. Also on board were Larry Taylor, Barrelhouse Chuck, Kim Wilson, Eddie Taylor, Jr., and others. Billy reports that Kim Wilson's remake of Little Walter's hit record "Juke" was simply amazing in how it captured the original feel of the groundbreaking harmonica instrumental that would redefine the role of that instrument in blues. Billy also reports that he played three Etta James ballads that will be sung by Beyoncé, who portrays Etta in the movie. In addition to appearing on the movie soundtrack, Billy states that his guitar work will be included on the next Beyoncé CD as she recreates Etta's "At Last" and brings it to a whole new generation. Congratulations to Billy and all of those involved in this noble movie project.

• Delta Groove Showcase schedule posted: On Friday May 11, 2008 (the day after the Blues Music Awards), Randy Chortkoff and his label staff will host the 3rd Annual Delta Groove Showcase at Ground Zero Blues Club in Clarksdale, Mississippi. This year, over 18 acts are featured in an 11 hour period (2pm until 1am). Delta Groove and Eclecto Groove artists on the bill are The Mannish Boys (whose new album Lowdown Feelin' is spectacular!), Jackie Payne/Steve Edmondson Band, Phillip Walker, Jason Ricci, Lynwood Slim, and others. Randy is also including the label's extended family of friends including The Soul Of John Black, Lionel Young, Los Fabulocos, and a Blue Witch Records showcase set featuring Big Pete Pearson and the Rhythm Room All-Stars, Dave Riley & Bob Corritore, and Tomcat Courtney, plus our friend, Italian harmonica great Marco Pandolfi. To see the schedule and the entire lineup, click here. Thank you, Delta Groove Records, for always throwing the best blues parties!