We didn’t get the chance to swing by Phoenix’s The Rhythm Room — the acclaimed blues club owned by harmonica ace Bob Corritore — during our most recent business trip to the city, but did make sure we took some time to listen to Corritore’s latest album offering during our travels, a collection of tracks he’s recorded through the years with various female artists, from greats such as Koko Taylor, Barbara Lynn and Carol Fran to the debut recording from blues guitarist and singer John Primer’s daughter Aliya Primer.
Corritore’s playing on the Women in Blues Showcase (VizzTone) is, as always, excellent, whether on the call-and-response approach of songs like the chugging, Barbara Lynn-vocaled “You’re Gonna Be Sorry” with which the collection jumps off, or patient solos such as heard on the barebones, quiet country duet “Crawdad Hole” with Valerie June on vocals and guitar, matching the powerful vocals of Koko Taylor on “What Kind of Man is This” (featuring Bob Margolin on guitar, Bob Stroger on bass, and Willie “Big Eyes” Smith on drums) or backing Diunna Greenleaf on the delicate “Be For Me” (again with Margolin on guitar).
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