Do you miss the classic Chicago blues from the 1950s? Do the old Chess recordings from the likes of Muddy Waters, Howlin' Wolf, Little Walter, Jimmy Rogers, and other blues icons from that era occupy a prime spot on your turntable, CD player, or online streaming platform?

If so, this is the album for you. Crawlin' Kingsnake (VizzTone / SWMAF) from John Primer & Bob Corritore comes as close to capturing the sound and spirit of the classic Chicago blues as anything I've heard in a long time. I first saw Primer in person in 1987, have caught many of his live shows since then, and have listened to just about everything he's recorded. This is by far the best the 79-year-old Primer has sounded in his long blues career, testament to the work that he and harmonica player Corritore have done together for much of the last decade. The pair have been successful in bringing out the best in each other.

It also helps to have a crack band of session veterans backing them on this album, notably Bob Stroger (bass) Jimi "Primetime" Smith (second guitar and backing vocals), Wes Starr (drums and percussion), and Anthony Geracia (piano).

When reviewing an album, I'll generally mark in my notes which cuts are my favorites and give an extra star to the best of the bunch. With Crawlin' Kingsnake, no special notations were needed. Each of the dozen songs are outstanding. I can't pick a favorite.

Opening the set is "Take A Message," an up-tempo shuffle with plenty of energy coming from Primer's vocals and guitar, and we also hear a frantic piano solo from Geraci. That's followed by the title cut, a John Lee Hooker original that is highlighted by a harmonica solo in which Corritore puts every breath he has into his instrument. The Howlin' Wolf classic, "Down In the Bottom," written by Willie Dixon, is an up-tempo number with a hypnotic rhythm.

Primer's original "Hiding Place" opens with Elmore James-style guitar licks before Geraci jumps in with a rockin' piano solo. The tempo slows for B.B. King's "Chains And Things," beginning with a tasteful guitar solo before Primer does some of his best vocal work with plenty of emotion coming from him. Later in the song, Geraci gives it that true 'late nite' feel with his piano work.

Of course, we need to have a Muddy Waters song somewhere in the mix, getting a strong version of "Stuff You Gotta Watch," with multiple instruments jamming away before both Primer and Smith start shouting out their vocals. Muddy cut number two is next, the slow number "Rosalee Blues," with extra special vocals from Primer and a smokin' harp solo from Corritore. The Jimmy Rogers classic "You're The One" is given a funkier treatment, with Primer's vocal lines answered by Smith's rhythm guitar chords.

The traditional gospel standard "Bow Down On Your Knees" lasts just over a minute and a half, but Primer packs plenty of raw emotion into his voice while accompanied by just his guitar and Corritore's harmonica. A.C. Reed's "This Little Voice" is next, with Primer putting a little more bass into his voice on this nice mid-tempo shuffle.

Primer spent a lot of years as a member of Magic Slim's Teardrops, so it's appropriate that we get one of Slim's originals, the up-tempo "Gravel Road," with Corritore echoing each vocal line with tasteful harmonica riffs. Closing the album is a real gem, an extended version of Muddy's slow blues classic "Feel Like Going Home." It's a fine vehicle for Primer's expressive and emotional vocals to go with some of Corritore's best harmonica work, especially his solo around the midway point. Geraci also lays down a tasty piano break, preceding a dose of wonderful slide guitar from Primer. This one's a killer!

The 2024 blues season has just begun with plenty of new releases coming down the line, but I can't imagine anything better than Crawlin' Kingsnake. This is an absolutely essential addition to your blues collection.

--- Bill Mitchell