Bob Corritore Blues News

May 1, 2008

• Louisiana Red Appearing Friday and Saturday at the Rhythm Room: One of the greatest living legends of down-home blues will appear in concert Friday and Saturday at the Rhythm Room. Louisiana Red has been cutting records since the 1950s, and formed his style under the mentorship of masters such as John Lee Hooker and Muddy Waters. His 1962 single "Red's Dream" on the Roulette record label became a national hit with its sly political humor. He would go on to record many highly acclaimed albums for labels such as Earwig, HighTone, Roulette, Blue Labor, L+R, JSP, Severn, and others. His flamboyant shows are filled with spontaneity, passion, and an unbelievable reprise of the blues stylings of the 1950s. Bob Corritore met Red in 1980 when they performed together at the Delta Fish Market in Chicago. They became immediate friends, and when Bob moved to Phoenix in 1981, Red was soon to follow. Red lived in Phoenix for about a year in 1982. Bob and Red worked together regularly in the clubs of Phoenix before Red relocated to his current home of Hannover, Germany. Bob has produced two powerful albums by Red (Sittin' Here Wonderin' on Earwig and No Turn On Red on HighTone). They usually reunite each year to play shows together, and have worked great events like the King Biscuit Blues Festival (now called the Arkansas Blues & Heritage Festival), the Chicago Blues Festival, San Diego Street Scene, the Thirsty Ear Festival, Marco Fiume Blues Passions Festival (in Italy), and many others. Later this year they will perform together at Buddy Guy's Legends (June 5, 2008) and at the Lahnstein Blues Festival in Germany (September 27, 2008). Come enjoy the magic of Louisiana Red this weekend at the Rhythm Room in Phoenix. The band will consist of Louisiana Red, Bob Corritore, Chris James, Patrick Rynn, and Brian Fahey. The Rhythm Room is located at 1019 E. Indian School Road, Phoenix, AZ 85014. Doors open at 8pm, cover charge is $12. Rack Shack Barbeque will be available at these events. These nights will be patio smoking only events; no indoor smoking will be permitted. To see some great photos of Louisiana Red from www.bobcorritore.com, click here and here. To see a great 1983 performance by Red backed by Jimmy Rogers, Carey Bell, Sylvia Embry, and Lovie Lee, click here.
• Blueswax to Feature Bob Corritore Interview: On May 29, 2008, Blueswax, the amazing online weekly blues magazine, will run Bob Putignano's feature interview with Bob Corritore. Bob Putignano is a New York based blues activist who, in addition to being the president of the New York Blues and Jazz Society, is also a KBA Award-winning blues radio show host on WFDU. Bob Putignano was visiting Phoenix last month, and the interview was a casual exchange that touched upon many aspects of Bob Corritore's involvements in the blues. For more info on interviewer Bob Putignano's many blues credentials, click here; and for more information about his radio show Sounds Of Blue, click here. To sign up for Blueswax's great weekly news blast, click here.
• Willie Buck on YouTube: Willie Buck is a fine but lesser known Chicago blues singer who is into a heavy Muddy Waters bag. During the late 1970s and early 1980s, Bob Corritore was the harmonica player in Willie's band, which often included Louis Myers, Dave Myers, Big Moose Walker, and Odie Payne. Bob was always appreciative of the work that Willie gave him, and the opportunity to play in such a top-notch band. To see a photo of Bob performing with Willie and Louis back in the day, click here. Here are some examples of Willie Buck in more recent performance with the great Dave Waldman (one of Bob's harmonica mentors) on harmonica. Also performing on the clips are Bob's long time friends and fellow musicians Steve Cushing and Illinois Slim (Slim is only on the second clip). Note Dave Waldman's great 3rd position harmonica work on these cuts:

Willie Buck performing "Walkin' Thru The Park" on 4/20/08: click here

Willie Buck performing "She's 19 Years Old" and "Trouble No More": click here

• American Blues Legends Management Showcase in Chicago Announced: American Blues Legends Management is a booking and management organization that was founded by guitarist/producer Cadillac Zack, and its primary focus is advancing the cause of traditional blues. They will have a spectacular showcase planned to coincide with the Chicago Blues Festival. The event will take place 9pm on Saturday June 7, 2008 at Reggie's, 2105 S. State Street, Chicago, Illinois 60616. Acts will include Elmore James, Jr. (who will celebrate his new release Daddy Gave Me The Blues on JSP Records), Byther Smith, Eddie C. Campbell, Tail Dragger, The Hayes Brothers, Cadillac Zack, Rick Kreher, Scott Dirks, Bob Corritore, and Donna Oxford. Simply a great party with an amazing lineup! Thank you, Cadillac Zack.