I've lost count of how many compilations that Bob Corritore has done using recordings he makes when artists come through town to play at the Rhythm Room.

These collections of wonderfully indispensable recordings get better each time, as I've relayed to Bob regarding at least the last three albums.

Here I go again. Ernestine Blues is now at the top of the heap, in my opinion. Sixteen cuts with nary a mediocre one in the bunch. All feature Corritore on harmonica, along with an outstanding collection of backing musicians.

What pushes this one to the top of the charts are the three cuts featuring Carla Denise, a fantastic blues singer from Chicago who also spends part of her time in Phoenix. Ms.Carla's songs here are just so mind-blowingly good that it makes one wonder why there's no full album in her name.

She comes in on the album's second cut with the mid-tempo Betty Everett blues, "Tell Me Darling," her sweet voice complemented nicely by Corritore's harmonica accompaniment. She slows the tempo on the slow blues, "Troubles On Your Mind," accompanied only by Corritore on harmonica and the incredible Ben Levin on piano.

Ms. Carla's parting number is the up-tempo jump blues, "Wild As You Can Be," featuring guest saxophone player Doug James.

We've already justified the price of admission to this blues party with these three numbers. But wait! There's plenty more.

Chicago octogenarian blues legend Willie Buck continues to defy his age every time he steps up to a microphone to sing. He covers the Muddy Waters classic, "Trouble No More, with former Muddy guitarist Bob Margolin helping out. Buck also does his own composition, the slow blues "Standing On The Bank," with Margolin retuning as well as the rest of an all-star contingent in Jimi Primetime Smith (guitar), Anthony Geraci (piano), Bob Stroger (bass), and Wes Starr (drums).

Since I mentioned the ageless wonder Bob Stroger, this legend who is well into his 90s gets to step up to the microphone for the Chicago blues number, "Pretty Girls Everywhere."

Also coming in from Chicago for two songs is Cash Box Kings singer Oscar Wilson, covering the Joe Tex soul/blues, "She Might Need Me," showing his strong voice with Nick Moss joining on guitar, and the Jimmy Reed song, "Down In Mississippi." Geraci and Margolin add their talents to this one.

We get another Jimmy Reed song from Jimi Primetime Smith, the slow blues "Going Fishing" that has Smith putting a heavy dose of rawness into his voice.

Mississippi Delta cat Pat Thomas appears for one song, the very downhome "Big Fat Mama," with Corritore providing the only accompaniment to Thomas' guitar playing and singing.

The single from the album is a pleasant soul/blues from Johnny Rawls, "I Love The South," his own composition about his affection for where he's from. This one is made even better with the backing vocals of Eboni McDonald and Yolanda Tharrington.

Noted soul/blues singer Charles Wilson hit the studio to record "Sorry I Had To Leave You Behind," with both Kid Ramos and Johnny Main backing on guitars.

Of course, there's gotta be a title song, and we get a great one from the powerful Bay Area songstress Tia Carroll, turning "Ernestine" from the Sam Cooke songbook into a mid-tempo blues. Margolin contributes his usual tasty guitar, and we get a trio of backing singers, Diamond Porter added to the roster with the previously mentioned McDonald and Tharrington.

While we're on the subject of booming voices, let's not overlook the slow blues, "Blind Man Cry," from Sugaray Rayford, sending out plenty of passion on his own composition.

Let's now cover both the first and last songs on the album. Drummer/singer Tony Coleman opened with his powerful voice on the mid-tempo blues shuffle, "How'd You Learn To Shake It Like That," a Snooky Pryor song that gets an extra oomph from Geraci's piano accompaniment.

The closer on Ernestine Blues is "Shoes," Teeny Tucker's complete rundown of all of the fabulous footwear in her collection and how she uses each pair. She gives the details in her feisty vocals that absolutely make you want to hear more by her.

It goes without saying that Ernestine Blues is an essential addition to every blues collection. As with the previous Corritore compilations, it's recommended that you get the physical CD so that you have the liner notes and all pertinent session information. You won't regret it.

--- Bill Mitchell