Henry Gray & Bob Corritore Sessions Vol. 2: Cold Chills

Henry Gray & Bob Corritore
Henry Gray & Bob Corritore Sessions Vol. 2: Cold Chills
SWMAF Records/ Vizztone

This is the second volume of performances the late Henry Gray made with Bob Corritore, the Phoenix blues promoter, harmonica player, and record producer. It collects 14 performances (and one phone message) recorded over the span of a couple of decades. Gray was a mainstay of Howlin' Wolf's band for over a decade before relocating to Louisiana. He passed away in January 2020 at the age of 95. I wrote about the previous volume, "This is a solid and delightful collection of classic Chicago blues with a touch Louisiana swamp blues mixed in. Given that this is labeled Vol. 1, one looks forward to a further release of Henry Gray's blues sessions with Bob Corritore." That further release has arrived.

Besides Gray's Chicago piano, he sings on eight tracks. Other vocals are provided by John Brim, Jimi' Primetime' Smith, Eddie Taylor Jr., Tail Dragger, and Chief Schabuttie Gilliame. The impressive musicians heard here include guitarists John Brim, Bob Margolin, Eddie Taylor Jr., Robert Lockwood Jr., Johnny Rapp, Illinois Slim, Johnny Burgin, Chris James, and Kirk Fletcher. Chico Chism handles drums on most selections with Brian Fahey, Steve Cushing, and Marty Dodson also are heard. Bassists include Bob Stroger, Troy Sandow, Paul Thomas, Patrick Ryan, Pops McFarlane, and Mario Moreno.

Gray was a husky pianist influenced by the great Big Maceo, but with his own distinctive style and phrasing. The opening selection "Cold Chills' is a strongly performed slow blues he first recorded over a half-century ago. Margolin and Corritore add strong guitar and harmonica in support. There is a rollicking rendition of GL Crockett's "Look Out Mabel" with a hint of "Mystery Train" in the melody. A John Brim phone message telling Bob he should hook up with Gray leads to Gray backing Brim on a terrific Chicago blues "Moonlight Blues." It is followed by Eddie Taylor Jr.'s fine rendition of Jimmy Rogers' "Going Away Baby." Gray's backing on these tracks are terrific. Also, Tail Dragger is heard on the slow Howlin' Wolf styled "Hurt Your Feelings," and the rocking shuffle "Birthday Blues." Chris James and Kirk Flecther enliven this last recording.

Gray provides a robust vocal to "Mother-in-Law Blues" with a choice Robert Lockwood Jr. guitar solo in addition to Gray's choruses. The is plenty of energy in Gray's rendition of J.B. Lenoir's "The Mojo," and even an unusual cover of Hank Ballard's "The Twist." This number was from Gray's last Phoenix session with Corritore. This collection of Henry Gray performances closes with a robust rendition of "Going Down Slow," with outstanding guitar from Johnny Rapp. The performances here are consistently enjoyable with several exceptional ones. As I said about the earlier release, this is a delightful collection of Chicago blues with a touch of Louisiana swamp blues.

I received my review copy from Vizztone. Here is a performance by Henry Gray and Bob Corritore of Jimmy Rogers "Blues Won't Let Me Take My Rest."

Little Arthur Duncan Live at Rosa’s Blues Lounge

Mississippi native Arthur Duncan has been up in Chicago since the 1950s when he came north with Earl Hooker. Mentored by the legendary Little Walter, he has been part of the blues scene for most of the intervening five decades as a performer and as a club owner while working as a construction worker. Delmark previously issued his disc, Singing With the Sun, and now has a live performance on CD as well as on DVD (with a couple of extra songs included), Live at Rosa’s Blues Lounge. 

This is an unpretentious set of somewhat raw, downhome flavored Chicago harp blues as Duncan mixes some originals with interesting covers. Duncan’s enthusiasm for performing is evident as he opens with an original Leaving Mississippi, before reworking Eugene Church’s Pretty Girl’s Everywhere, employing Slim Harpo’s Scratch My Back groove (and he also is seen/heard on that tune here). Jimmy Reed, Little Walter, Slim Harpo and Howling Wolf covers mix in with Duncan’s Bad Reputation and Blues I Got to Leave You. 

As entertaining as Duncan comes off, his harp playing is not on the level of a Little Walter or Carey Bell, and his earnest vocals perhaps lack the charisma of his influences, but still the performances are engaging aided by the solid backing of guitarists Rick Kreher and Illinois Slim, bassist Michael Azzi and drummer Twist Turner, who provide steady backing behind Duncan. Guest Little Al Thomas handles the vocal on Dr. Clayton’s I Got to Find My Baby. 

The video on the DVD is really well done, keeping its focus on Duncan and his band as he sits and belts out his vocals and lays down his harp as well as captures his forays into the audience, encouraging the dancers and leading everybody on what was clearly a good time. Delmark continues to build its impressive catalog of live DVDs with this entertaining disc.

This review appeared originally in the February 2008 Jazz & Blues Report (Issue 301). I received a review copy from Delmark Records. Here is a video trailer for this DVD.