Gonna Boogie Anyway
Chris James & Patrick Rynn
Earwig Records

The evolution of Blues carries some strange qualities. As music is modernized and updated, the traditional ‘50s-styled Chicago Blues of Chris James & Patrick Rynn seems fresher than ever.

The San Diego Bluesmen are a throwback to the halcyon days of Chicago Blues. They interned at the sides of some of the best and today they continue to play the Blues that originally shaped them.

“Gonna Boogie Anyway” includes four covers on its 12-song set, but each new song sounds like it came straight from a South Side club. James’ solo slide guitar and Rynn’s bass are the foundation upon which everything else is built. “You Can’t Trust Nobody” is lean and haunting with James on vocals and guitar, Rynn on upright bass and Dave Maxwell on piano. Maxwell is only one of the master helpers here, including pianist Henry Gray, drummer Sam Lay, harmonica player Rob Stone and the San Diego sax duo of Jonny Viau and Allen Ortiz.

Last year James & Rynn were nominated as best debut in the Blues Music Awards and this work seems certain to move them toward more honors.