Chris James and Patrick Rynn, "Gonna Boogie Anyway"

The first time we saw Chris James and Patrick Rynn, they were backing the mighty Sam Lay at a show at the old Boardwalk Cafe 'round 1994 or so.  They were special talents  then, and since those days, they have not only backed some of the greatest names in blues, but have earned their own measure of fame as artists in their own right.

The follow-up to their highly-acclaimed 2008 release, "Stop And Think About It," has been released on Earwig Records.  It's entitled "Gonna Boogie Anyway," and, if anything, this set is more guitar-centric than its predecessor!

When you see Chris and Patrick in a live setting,  it's apparent that they feed off of each other's energy, and that vibe comes thru on wax, too.  They are deeply-rooted in not only the "Chicago style" of combo blues, but the traditional, acoustic "Delta" stylings as well, and this set affords them ample opportunity to show off all their wares!
    
This set is dominated by original material, with eight  included.  Plus, they are joined by a virtual "who's who in Chicago blues" talent to round out this set.  David Maxwell and Henry Gray share piano duties, while good friends Rob Stone and Bob Corritore blow the harps.  The skins are in very capable hands, too, with Willie Hayes, Eddie Kobek, and Sam Lay all pounding away!  A sax team of Johnny Viau and Allern Ortiz adds just the right touch of swing to everything!

Things kick off in high gear with Chris' vocal lamenting a widespread problem in today's society---"I like money, but Money Don't Like Me."  The fellows get in some fine acoustic work, too, on "You Can't Trust Nobody," with David Maxwell on piano, and "Headed Out West," both featuring Patrick on the upright bass.  Two boogie-fied instrumentals are included, too, "H. M. Stomp," and an impromptu studio jam that rocked so hard they just called it "Money Don't Like Me, Part 2!"  Tributes to Bo Diddley surface with "Dearest Darling," again with David Maxwell on piano, and the set-closing, "Little Girl," with Bob Corritore on harp and Henry Gray on piano.

We had two favorites, too.  Rob Stone checks in with some sweet unamplified harp on the tale of a no-good lover tryin' to get her foot back in the door entitled "The Tables Have Turned."  And, the swingin' sax-and-slide interplay between Chris and Johnny Viau on "Life Couldn't Be Sweeter" is reminiscent of the heyday of J. T. Brown and Elmore James!!

Chris James and Patrick Rynn are a dynamite combination of powerful, energetic playing and clever songcrafting.  They dedicated this set to the memory of Koko Taylor and Bo Diddley, and, no matter what nobody sez, they're "Gonna Boogie Anyway!!"  Until next time......Sheryl and Don Crow.