Music. Alcohol. Oysters. Books.

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.

Снова заехал Бёргин, с ним на сцене тот же драммер Джейсон Левис, что и в прошлый раз, а также басист Рэнди Бермудес. Рубят чикагский блюз, Джонни зажигает! Играет чисто, классно, без запилов, напомнив мне этим вечером Джоди Вильямса. В первом сете особенно порадовал номер I'm a Roaming Stranger Луизианы Реда, достались и две солидные песни со скоро выходящего нового альбома Бёргина Ramblin' from Coast to Coast, практически хитовая Gettin My Blues On и забавная I Need Something Sweet. Во втором отделении выходил поиграть на гармошке Джастин Нортон, с ним сделали вещи Джимми Рида, Мадди Уотерса и Джимми Роджерса, совершенно замечательно! Ближе к концу концерта прозвучала и классная фанки-блюзовая Cold Chills. Отличное выступление!

Set 1 (7:35 PM — 8:12 PM): Cry for Me, (Let Me Be Your) Teddy Bear, Money Tree, I'm a Roaming Stranger, I Got to Find Me a Woman, Gettin My Blues On, I Need Something Sweet

Set 2 (8:41 PM — 9:31 PM): I Did the Best I Could, High and Lonesome (with Justin Norton), Blow Wind Blow (with Justin Norton), Blues Falling (with Justin Norton), Give Me an Hour in Your Garden (And I'll Show You How to Plant a Rose), Cold Chills, When the Blues Man Comes to Town, I Ain't Gonna Be No Monkey Man No More
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