Happy Hour Harmonica Podcast

Bob Corritore interview

June 04, 2021 Neil Warren Season 1 Episode 40
Happy Hour Harmonica Podcast
Bob Corritore interview
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Bob Corritore joins me on episode 40. 

Bob grew up around Chicago and absorbed the best blues scene in the world, attending the blues clubs in his youth, seeing his harmonica heroes in action and befriending many of them. 

He moved to Phoenix in this 20s and quickly became a record producer. Bob put his Business degree to good use, opening a blues club called The Rhythm Room. He took the unique opportunity to record many of the visiting blues artists, appearing on numerous albums alongside them.

Bob has won numerous awards for his albums, recorded with a host of different names. He has run a blues radio show since 1984, been awarded an honorary award for Keeping The Blues Alive, and the mayor of Phoenix even named September 29th, 2007 ‘Bob Corritore Day’. 


Links:
Website: https://bobcorritore.com/

KJZZ Radio Show playlists and link to listen to show:
https://kjzz.org/blues-playlist

Blues Newsletter Archive:
https://bobcorritore.com/news/newsletter-archive/2019-archives/

Billy Boy Arnold book: The Blues Dream of Billy Boy Arnold
https://press.uchicago.edu/ucp/books/book/chicago/B/bo119945396.html

Videos:
https://bobcorritore.com/music/videos/


Podcast website:
https://www.harmonicahappyhour.com

Donations:
If you want to make a voluntary donation to help support the running costs of the podcast then please use this link (or visit the podcast website link above):
https://paypal.me/harmonicahappyhour?locale.x=en_GB

Spotify Playlist:
Also check out the Spotify Playlist, which contains most of the songs discussed in the podcast:
https://open.spotify.com/playlist/5QC6RF2VTfs4iPuasJBqwT?si=M-j3IkiISeefhR7ybm9qIQ

Podcast sponsors:
This podcast is sponsored by SEYDEL harmonicas - visit the oldest harmonica factory in the world at www.seydel1847.com  or on Facebook or Instagram at SEYDEL HARMONICAS
and Blows Me Away Productions: http://www.blowsmeaway.com/

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Bob is from Chicago, and first discovered the blues through Muddy Waters
Saw lots of great blues acts, including Muddy Waters at his high school
Has produced many blues albums and played harmonica on many of them, including one for Mud Morganfield
Bob befriended several of the blues harmonica greats in Chicago
Played a couple of numbers with The Aces, Little Walter’s band (renamed to The Jukes)
Dedicated himself to become a student of the harmonica and its music
Bob’s path to become a professional blues harmonica player and the friends he’s made along the way
The classic players had that magic because they lived the blues
Moved to Phoenix to stay with his brother, and stayed there
Played with Howling Wolf’s drummer, bringing the Chicago beat to Phoenix
Produced the Kim Wilson album Smokin’ Joint
Put together a William Clarke compilation album
Bob became a record producer at the age of 22, first album produced was for Little Willie Anderson
Opened a club in Phoenix called The Rhythm Room, where he recorded many of the musicians appearing
Bob has a Business degree, which he put to good use with the club and record production
Mayor of Phoenix proclaimed Sept 29 2007 as ‘Bob Corritore Day’
What sound does Bob aim for in recording harmonica
2007 album Travellin’ The Dirt Road with Dave Riley
Produced a Pinetop Perkins album, which was nominated for a Grammy
Has recorded albums with John Primer
Lots of variety in Bob’s albums because he records with so many different artists
Spider In My Stew is latest album
Bob has hosted a blues radio show since 1984
Won honorary award from Blues Foundation: ‘Keeping The Blues Alive’
Bob has written a Blues Newsletter since 2005
Does some teaching at the Blues Foundation's annual International Blues Challenge week in Memphis
10 minute question
Bob is a Hohner endorsee
Chromatic
Different tunings
Overblows
Embouchre
Amps
Mics
Effects pedals
Future plans