Bob Corritore Blues News

The latest from Bob Corritore

August 26, 2008

• Down Home Blues Festival at the Rhythm Room this Sunday: For those of us that love an earthy, real quality with a strong sense of tradition in our blues, the Rhythm Room's 2nd Annual Labor Day Weekend Down Home Blues Festival is cause for celebration. The event combines the talents of a number of great national recording artists in a quickly-paced rotation, showcasing the individuality of each artist. Tail Dragger will be coming from Chicago, with his larger-than-life personality, and his Howlin' Wolf-influenced vocals. Eddie Taylor, Jr. is the son of Chicago blues guitar legend Eddie Taylor, and has an uncanny way of playing and singing in his father's beautiful, understated style. Tomcat Courtney is a master of Texas country blues, and possesses a beautiful style somewhat reminiscent of Lightnin' Hopkins. Big Pete Pearson is "Arizona's King of the Blues", and his zesty, energetic vocals are always a crowd pleaser. Paris James is a student of the late Reverend Louis Overstreet, and has represented down home blues in Phoenix for decades. The Rhythm Room All-Stars feature the full-toned Chicago harmonica playing of Bob Corritore, the unstoppable deep blues groove of guitarist Chris James and bassist Patrick Rynn, and the seasoned beat of Brian Fahey. The Rhythm Room All-Stars will serve as the house band for the event. The Rhythm Room is located at 1019 E. Indian School Road, Phoenix, AZ 85014. Doors open at 7pm, cover charge is $12. This night will be a patio smoking only event; no indoor smoking will be permitted. To view the poster for this event, click here.
• New Photos Added to Tail Dragger Page! Thanks to Scott Dirks and photographer Rob de Fries for contributing additional photos just added to the Tail Dragger page. Rob provided some beautiful portraits of Tail Dragger appearing earlier this year at the Botermarkt Blues Festival in the Netherlands. Scott provided a photo of the poster for the 5105 Club (a regular gig for Tail Dragger in the 90s), and an amazing vintage photo of a 5 year old Tail Dragger! To see these new photos, click here.
• Dave Riley and Bob Corritore Interviews Posted on France's Route 66 Website! David Baerst, host of the blues radio show Route 66 (on RDL Radio in Colmar, France) held separate interviews with Dave Riley and Bob Corritore right after their July 28, 2008 performance at the Cognac Blues Festival. David reports that he will also air the interview and do a radio program devoted to Bob Corritore in October and to Dave Riley in October or November (exact dates forthcoming). The Route 66 interviews have been transcribed to French, and now appear on the Route 66 website. To see Dave's interview, click here; and to see Bob's interview, click here. Thank you, David!
• Another Dave Riley & Bob Corritore Cognac Performance Posted on YouTube! Here is a clip of Dave Riley and Bob Corritore performing at the Cognac Blues Festival in France last July. This is a version of the John Weston song "I'm Not Your Junkman". To see this clip, click here. Thanks to Nico and Soazig from the band Lazy Buddies for posting it!
• Bob Corritore's Birthday Party Announced: Bob was not going to have his annual birthday bash at the Rhythm Room, because he would be in Germany performing at the Lahnstein Blues Festival on his actual birthday (September 27). But with some persuasion, he will throw his party on September 13, 2008 at the Rhythm Room with his band The Rhythm Room All-Stars performing (Big Pete Pearson, Chris James, Patrick Rynn, Brian Fahey, and Bob). A special guest appearance with Long John Hunter will take place in the middle set, which will allow Bob to get around and greet his guests. If you attend, Bob requests no presents (just a card is great), as your attendance will be the greatest gift. The Rhythm Room is located at 1019 E. Indian School Road, Phoenix, AZ 85014. Doors open at 8pm, cover charge is $7. This night will be a patio smoking only event; no indoor smoking will be permitted.
• Maxwell Street Documentary Finally Available on DVD: The movie And This Is Free: The Life And Times Of Chicago's Legendary Maxwell Street is a 1964 documentary of Chicago's open-air market that brought together a melting pot of musicians, street corner evangelists, businessmen, and hustlers in a true cultural phenomenon. The street's deep tradition of blues is prevalent throughout the movie, with performances by Johnny Young, Blind Arvella Gray, Robert Nighthawk, and Blind Jim Brewer. This spectacular "slice of life" cinematic achievement brings you right into the hectic, glorious hustle that gathered all elements of a diverse Chicago together each Sunday morning. Maxwell Street was redeveloped and moved, and will never be the same; but at least this documentary exists as a time machine to reflect of the beauty and character of the Maxwell Street Market. Also included is the film Maxwell Street: A Living Memory, as well as a CD featuring some of the great blues artists who emerged from Maxwell Street (Little Walter, Jimmy Rogers, J.B. Hutto, Snooky Pryor, Johnny Williams, John Henry Barbee, Baby Face Leroy, Robert Nighthawk, and more!), and a beautiful booklet filled with classic photos. For more information on this DVD, click here. Thanks to Shanachie Records for finally making this priceless film available, and for presenting it in such a lovingly articulate package.
• Koko Taylor Band in Van Accident; Koko was not in Van and is OK. This news from Jim Themelis: Koko Taylor's band was in an accident on Saturday, August 23, 2008. The van hit an embankment and threw all passengers out of the vehicle. Vino Louden, Shun Kikuta, and Ricky Nelson were named as being in the van, and sustaining serious but non-fatal injuries. Bassist Melvin Smith (who was in Brazil on tour with Lurrie Bell) was not in the vehicle.
• Little Arthur Duncan Funeral Information Here is the information for the services for Little Arthur Duncan:

Visitation

Friday, August 29, 2008 (after 4pm)

AA Rayner & Sons Funeral Home

318 East 71st Street

Chicago, IL 60619

Tel. (773)846-6133

Funeral

Saturday, August 30, 2008 10AM-11am visitation; 11am-12pm service

Second Mount Vernon Missionary Baptist Church

7922 South Hoyne Ave.

Chicago, IL 60620

Tel. (773)874-4510

• Gearing Up for the Bisbee Blues Festival: Bisbee, Arizona is a historic mining town that has become an arts community in Arizona. Bisbee's annual blues festival on September 20, 2008 is a great reason to check out this beautiful landmark town. This year Big Pete Pearson and The Rhythm Room All-Stars (Big Pete Pearson, Bob Corritore, Chris James, Patrick Rynn, & Brian Fahey) bring their award winning blues sound to the festival along with Doyle Bramhall, Blue Mystics, 56 Deluxe, Hans Olson, Train Wreck, and other great acts. To find out more about this great festival click here.