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Bob's new album — the thirtieth in his discography. Vince Ray's cover art is, as always, a masterpiece in its own right. Corritore collaborates and records with just about every Chicago-style blues performer out there, and this time he's joined by Bobby Rush, John Primer, Francine Reed, Bob Margolin, Duke Robillard, Johnny Burgin, and many other great musicians.
The album includes twelve tracks, recorded over nine sessions held in 2023–2024 in Tempe, Arizona. The funky number I've Got Three Problems, with Bobby Rush on vocals, sounds especially impressive, and I Guess I'm a Fool, a slow, soulful Memphis Slim ballad performed by Francine Reed, is no less enjoyable. Check out Bob Margolin's slide guitar on Woman Wanted, sung by Oscar Wilson of the Cash Box Kings. The title track stands out thanks to Nora Jean Bruso's powerful vocals. John Primer shines on the shuffle Twenty Room House, featuring great piano work. My First Love, sung by Bob Stroger — born in 1930 — sounds especially touching.
Collections like this can sometimes feel like a mixed bag — on the one hand, you can discover musicians you might not have heard before, or forgotten about; on the other, so many guests swapping from track to track may create a sort of kaleidoscopic effect that doesn't always help with an album's consistency.
But after just one listen, it's becoming clear that Bob has once again managed to convey a festive, joyful musical atmosphere on his album — and the variety here doesn't hurt it at all. And, of course, Corritore's harp sounds amazing, as expected.
