Bob Corritore Blues News

The latest blues news from Bob Corritore

August 6, 2008

• Jimmy Rogers in the News: Jimmy Rogers is simply one of the greatest blues artists of all time. His late 40s/early 50s work with Muddy Waters and Little Walter defined the genre to become celebrated as Chicago Blues. His voice was perhaps the sweetest voice in the blues; and his clever, yet understated guitar work was the perfect foil to the styles of Muddy and Walter. His hits include "That's All Right", "Ludella", "You’re The One", and "Walking By Myself". He passed away over ten years ago, but his music and memory are kept alive through the timelessness of his music. Some recent news concerning Jimmy Rogers:

1) Unissued Jimmy Rogers Studio Tracks Produced by Bob Corritore to be Released as Bonus Tracks on Blind Pig Limited-Edition LP Release of Feelin' Good: Blind Pig Records plans a limited-edition, LP only, re-release of the Jimmy Rogers album Feeling Good. This highly acclaimed record features backing by Rod Piazza & The Mighty Flyers (featuring Junior Watson on guitar!) from sessions conducted in 1983 and 1984. The original LP release on the Murray Brothers label featured only nine songs, and so Blind Pig was looking to fill the special edition re-release with some bonus tracks. Jerry Del Giudice and Edward Chmelewski approached Bob Corritore this summer at the Chicago Blues Festival, asking if he had any unissued Jimmy Rogers tracks. Bob researched his master tape vaults, and located two beautiful unissued songs from a 1992 Phoenix session. The tracks are an alternate take of “Out On The Road” (different from the one appearing on Bob Corritore/All-Star Blues Sessions) and a remake of “She Loves Another Man”. The session artists are Jimmy Rogers (guitar and vocals), Bob Corritore (harmonica), Buddy Reed (guitar), S.E. Willis (piano), Bruce Lopez (bass), and the great Chico Chism (drums). These two cuts will be added to the re-release of Feeling Good as bonus tracks! Look for this limited-edition, LP only pressing out in early 2009!

2) Harmonica Ace Mark Hummel to Release Unissued Live Recordings by Jimmy Rogers, Eddie Taylor, Luther Tucker, and Mississippi Johnny Waters: Mark Hummel reports that he will release a CD titled Mark Hummel's Chicago Blues Party featuring live recordings by Jimmy Rogers, Eddie Taylor, Luther Tucker, and Mississippi Johnny Waters. These artists were backed on West Coast concert dates by Mark Hummel's Blues Survivors featuring a young Rusty Zinn. Though these tapes are from the sound board, they have been mixed and mastered to bring out a great sound quality, and the performances are stunning. Mark plans to release this on his own Rockinitis label.

3) Jimmy Rogers Book in Review Stage at University Of Illinois Press: Dr. Wayne Everett Goins has been working on a Jimmy Rogers biography called That's All Right: The Jimmy Rogers Story. Wayne reports that he has completed years of extensive research, has written the book, and it is currently being reviewed by the University of Illinois Press for publication approval. This will be an exciting and timely biography of a great bluesman whose influence in the blues cannot be overstated.

• New Photos Added to BobCorritore.com: Special thanks are due for the following photo contributions that have been recently posted to the photo pages of www.bobcorritore.com. A great portrait of Smokey Wilson with a Flying V guitar was contributed by Jeanette Clarke-Lodovici (William Clarke's widow), and a scan of a Smokey Wilson 8-track tape was contributed by Rich Pietras (Smokey's good friend and former manager). To see the Smokey Wilson photo page, click here. A couple spectacular images of Honeyboy Edwards were contributed by Nicolas Teurnier of France's Soul Bag Magazine. Check out the 1972 shot of Honeyboy playing guitar in front of Jazz Record Mart in Chicago! To see the Honeyboy Edwards page, click here. A great early 1970s portrait of Koko Taylor, as well as a live shot of Louis Myers playing harp and Freddie Below (of The Aces) on drums were contributed by Marc De Jonghe, who credits the André Hobus library of photographers Bob Vanderschueren, Claude Meyer, Annique Massange, André Hobus, and Marc De Jonghe. Click here to see the Koko Taylor page, and here to see The Aces page. These contributions are greatly appreciated new additions to our extensive and ever-growing photo section.
• Dave Riley and Bob Corritore Performance in France on YouTube: We just found this live performance by Dave Riley and Bob Corritore at the Cognac Blues Passions Festival in France on July 25, 2008. They are doing their own version of the Frank Frost song “Ride With Your Daddy Tonight”. To see the film clip, click here.
• New Tomcat Courtney Rave Reviews: Tomcat Courtney/Downsville Blues on the Blue Witch Record label continues to receive great press from sources such as Docteur Blues, BluesWax, Doc's Juke Joint, RootsAndRhythm.com, and Folk And Acoustic Music Exchange. Thank you to all! To see the reviews of Tomcat Courtney/Downsville Blues, click here.
• Johnny Dyer to Perform as Guest of Rhythm Room All-Stars: Johnny Dyer will appear at Saturday, August 16, 2008 at the Rhythm Room in Phoenix, AZ backed by The Rhythm Room All-Stars (Bob Corritore, Chris James, Patrick Rynn, and Brian Fahey). Johnny Dyer is a true West Coast link to Chicago Blues, as he is the greatest Los Angeles based purveyor of the music of Muddy Waters, Jimmy Rogers, and Little Walter. He is a stunning harmonica player, as well as an amazing vocalist. He will often perform with other harmonica players when singing Muddy and Jimmy Rogers songs in the true tradition of that music. He has gained much notoriety of late for his featured work as a member of the all-star aggregate, The Mannish Boys. The Rhythm Room is located at 1019 E. Indian School Road, Phoenix, AZ 85014. Doors open at 8pm, cover charge is $8. Rack Shack Barbeque will be available at this event. This night will be a patio smoking only event; no indoor smoking will be permitted.
• Rhythm Room's Down Home Blues Festival Concert Poster: The Rhythm Room's 2nd Annual Labor Day Weekend Down-Home Blues Festival will take place on Sunday, August 31, 2008. Acts include Tail Dragger, Eddie Taylor, Jr., Tomcat Courtney, The Rhythm Room All-Stars featuring Big Pete Pearson, Bob Corritore, Chris James, Patrick Rynn, and Brian Fahey, Paris James, and more. 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. To view the poster for this event, click here.
• Phillip Walker Performs this Saturday at the Rhythm Room: Phillip Walker appears Saturday, August 9, 2008 at the Rhythm Room. Delta Groove recording artist Phillip Walker and his amazing band deliver a wonderful blues, based in both Phillip's deep Louisiana roots and his long time West Coast affiliations. His sound is a spare, guitar-and-horn-driven romp with a distinct urban feel. A brilliant vocalist and guitarist, Phillip is considered among the top touring blues acts today. 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 this event. This night will be a patio smoking only event; no indoor smoking will be permitted.