Tell Me ‘Bout It
VizzTone, 2022
8/10
Louisiana Red and Bob Corritore were long time friends, and here they share with us 11 tunes from 7 different recording sessions between 2000 and 2009, where their deep chemistry and musical synergy is present in spades.
“Mary Dee Shuffle” opens the listen with Corritore’s soulful and gritty harmonica complementing Red’s raw vocals and Matt Bishop’s well timed piano, and “Early Morning Blues” follows with a calmer pace of raspy singing alongside the spirited harmonica.
Landing in the middle, “New Jersey Blues” welcomes Chico Chism’s agile drumming and Buddy Reed’s intricate guitar to the powerful blues climate, while “Freight Train To Ride” bounces and shakes with Johnny Rapp’s muscular guitar and Paul Thomas’ precise bass as Red’s soaring pipes don’t disappoint.
Near to the end, the thick and rhythmic “Bessemer Blues” is the album’s best, and “Bernice Blues” exits the listen with Corritore’s harmonica and Red’s guitar and vocals meshing together with a rich and genuine finish to some sturdy blues rockers.
Red passed away in 2012, and left behind a legacy of inimitable song craft that spanned 50+ albums. Corritore is, of course, handling his memory with the utmost care, and these rare tracks are fuller proof of his revered blues vision that we could never tire of.
Travels well with: Henry Gray & Bob Corritore- Cold Chills; Bob Corritore & Friends- Spider In My Stew