Artist:     John Primer & Bob Corritore

Album:     The Gypsy Woman Told Me

Label:     Vizztone

Release Date:     5/1/2020  

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Harmonica ace Bob Corritore may be one of the blues world’s greatest team players.  When he’s recorded under the moniker Bob Corritore &Friends, his collaborators have included powerhouse players like Taildragger, Alabama Mike, and Henry Gray.  Chicago blues veteran John Primer, who played guitar in Muddy Water’s band and Magic Slim &The Teardrops, has been another of Bob Corritore’s frequent musical partners.  On The Gypsy Woman Told Me, the pair’s third album-length collaboration, the two musicians showcase their formidable chops and deep respect for tradition.

Opening track “Keep A-Driving” wastes no time in letting listeners know what to expect.  Primer’s vocals sound stronger than ever, with a nice touch of back alley grit.  His electric guitar work is beautifully unadorned – he lets his fingers and strings do the talking.  While Corritore could easily steal the show with his high powered chops and well-deep tone, he’s content to take a supporting role and let the spotlight shine on Primer.  Bob Welsh’s atmospheric piano work channels the spirit of Otis Spann.  Slow blues tunes like the title track and “Left Me With A Broken Heart” reveal just how much Primer’s time with Waters shapes his playing today.  His vocals and guitar work on both tracks have the classic behind the beat feel that Waters used to call “delay time.”

The acoustic “Gambling Blues” showcases a different side of Primer and Corritore’s talent.  When he plays unplugged, Corritore’s warbling vibrato and skillful use of hand muting recall James Cotton.  “Walking The Back Streets And Crying” is an interesting choice of material for this outing.  While most listeners associate the tune with soul-blues master Little Milton, the song works surprisingly well when stripped of the horns and R&B rhythm section.  Corritore gets ample room to stretch out on harp, and drummer June Core and bassist Kedar Roy lay down a solid backbeat.  Primer’s guitar and vocals do justice to a beloved warhorse.

It’s great to hear a veteran like Primer invigorated and clearly happy to be making music.  While Corritore’s larger than life talent and unmistakable sense of style will always make him stand out in a crowd, his unique ability to work with the blues’ elder statesmen may be his greatest gift.  For fans of traditional Chicago Blues, The Gypsy Woman Done Told Me is a treasure trove.

—Jon Kleinman