Vivino Brothers – Chitlins Parmigiana

The brothers Jerry and Jimmy Vivino belong(ed) to sought-after session musicians and producers in the American blues scene. Their services have been taken by numerous blues musicians such as Son Seals, Johnnie Johnson, Hubert Sumlin, Al Kooper, Shemekia Copeland, Aaron Neville, Lucky Peterson, Dr. John, Buddy Guy and Odetta, among others.
However, the Vivino Brothers rarely recorded albums together. With Chitlins Parmigiana, however, they recorded something special by fusing urban blues, jazz funk and soul. Although the album spreads a party atmosphere, the ballad 'Fools Gold' is goose bumps pure.
An enjoyable album that illustrates the Vivino siblings' diversity.
The album by the Vivino Brothers, which is still legendary today, was no longer available in mint condition for over a decade. Now Chitlins Parmigiana is emerging again - as a UHQCD (Ultimate High Quality CD).

Track Listing:
1. Peanut Boss - 3:33   2. Ghost Dancers - 6:14   3. Fools Gold - 5:47   4. Capetown Fear - 3:23   5. Chitlins Parmigana - 5:46   6. Soul Revival - 6:59   7. You'll Never Walk Again - 3:40   8. Africa - 6:10   9. Miss Mona - 5:07   10. Jerry Boy Blues - 5:15   11. Life’s Touch - 4:23   12. Cornell Knowledge - 5:25   13. We Got The Party - 2:57

Personnel:
Catherine Russell (vocals) , Jimmy Vivino (vocals, guitar, piano, organ, backing vocals) , Jerry Vivino (saxophones, backing vocals) , Johnny Bello (vocals on 13) , Vinnie Cutro (trumpet, flugelhorn) , Floyd Vivino (piano, vocals) , Ronnie Cuber (baritone saxophone on 7,10) , Michael Merrit (bass) , Al Kooper (Hammond B-3 organ on 1,3,7,10-12) , Fred Walcott (percussion) , James Wormworth (drums)

Reviews;

1. AllMusic: Alex Henderson
The title Chitlins Parmigiana is a humorous acknowledgment of the fact that the Vivino Brothers (Jimmy Vivino on guitar, piano, organ, and lead vocals; Jerry Vivino on sax) are Italian-Americans who specialize in music created by African-Americans: urban blues as well as jazz (mostly jazz-funk along with a straight-ahead tune), soul, and funk. You won't hear the Vivino Brothers playing "O Sole Mio," "Come Back to Sorrento," or any other famous Italian songs on this CD; their turf is music that has some connection to the blues. Most of the tunes were written by the Vivino Brothers themselves, including the moody blues/soul number "Soul Revival" and soul-jazz and jazz-funk instrumentals such as "Peanut Boss," "Cornell Knowledge," and "Capetown Fear." Meanwhile, "Jerry Boy Blues" is a dusky post-bop instrumental that features Ronnie Cuber on baritone sax and finds him quoting Oliver Nelson's "Stolen Moments." Chitlins Parmigiana (which employs Al Kooper on organ) isn't a five-star masterpiece, but it's an enjoyable effort that illustrates the Vivino siblings' diversity.