Harmonica Blues

Good things come to those who wait, and this collection of songs, recorded over the course of two decades, was worth the waiting. With dates ranging from 1989 to just last year, Harmonica Blues features Bob Corritore backing up some of the best blues vocalists and guitar players the genre has produced, from Koko Taylor on the opening cut, to Louisiana Red, Nappy Brown, Honeyboy Edwards, Pinetop Perkins, Eddy Clearwater and Little Milton. It’s an embarrassment of riches, and Corritore’s harp playing adds more than chump change to the wealth of talent on display here. This is blues with the funk intact. It ain’t derivative, nor is it an homage; it’s the real deal. It’s as humid as the delta on an August night, and as blue as you can get. Check out the instrumental track “1815 West Roosevelt” for sheer soulfulness, or turn up the volume for Edwards’ vocal on “Bumble Bee.” That one was recorded just three years ago, but you’ll think you’re hearing a field recording made in a Mississippi juke joint back in the 1940s. If you care about the blues, this is a CD you’re going to want to own.