Chris James & Patrick Rynn

Gonna Boogie Anyway

Earwig Music

By Linda Cain

They’re turning back the pages

They’re looking up the facts

They’re playing at the altar of rhythm and blues,

Bowing down at the church of Stax

--- Rob Jungklas, “Memphis Thing”

For Chris James and Patrick Rynn, these lyrics could easily be rewritten to describe their style -- playing at the altar of Chicago Blues and bowing down at the church of Chess. It’s a “Chicago Thing” for this dynamic duo who can be counted among the top ranks of younger revivalists of classic ’50s -‘60s Chicago blues. They, along with like-minded Windy City artists such as Morry Sochat & Special 20s, Cash Box Kings and Rob Stone & the C-Notes, are creating new blues that respects tradition, yet sounds fresh and vital.

Guitarist/vocalist James and bassist Rynn are, in fact, former C-Note bandmates to harp player Rob Stone, whose own CD, Back Around Here, was released by Earwig at the same time as Gonna Boogie Anyway. Play these two CDs back-to-back and you’ll think you’re hearing a double CD by one large ensemble with many very talented members.  Stone, James and Rynn guest on each others’ CDs and share some of the same blues backup aces in the studio, including David Maxwell on piano, guitarist Jeff Stone, along with top-flight drummers Sam Lay and Willie “The Touch” Hayes.

Both CDs contain plenty of outstanding original material penned by the trio of Stone, James and Rynn. For Gonna Boogie Anyway, the duo includes just a few covers by the iconic artists who inspired them; this means paying homage to the late Bo Diddley, who James had the fortune to meet and chat with during his youth.  The duo puts their upbeat touch to Ellis McDaniel’s “Dearest Darling” featuring Rynn’s bouncing Bo beats and James’ shimmering, echo-effect guitar playing.  They play classic Chicago blues on “Little Girl,” another Diddley cover, highlighted by Bob Corritore’s tasteful harp solos. Jimmy Reed’s standard “Can’t Stand To See You Go,” is accented by Stone’s piercing, high notes on harp.  On Robert Lockwood, Jr.’s “Black Spider Blues,” which features only the duo (minus the band) in a sparse musical setting, James displays his versatility with his easy-going, country blues picking style.

The arrangements and playing on these classic songs are tasteful and exciting, but it’s the eight clever originals that really make James & Rynn’s sophomore CD shine. Like the duo’s debut, Stop And Think About It, this second effort features songs with catchy hooks and clever, memorable lyrics such as the opening track, “Money Don’t Like Me”:

I like money / money don’t like me / gonna get you one day money / just you wait and see

The lyric, inspired by James’ witty grandmother, echoes a universal theme. The dynamic shuffle kicks off with James’ classic Chicago blues guitar riff and rides on the horn sounds of sax players Jonny Viau and Allen Ortiz. The ensemble style number includes the tinkling ivories of David Maxwell and Sam Lay’s famous beats.

James’ strong vocals are even more upfront on Boogie; his deep, smooth voice contains just the right measure of grit, emotion and masculine swagger that the blues requires. The CD’s 12 tracks feature even more of his skilled, versatile guitar work this time out, as the styles of blues vary and they aren’t all classic Chicago ensemble tunes.

The title track, “Gonna Boogie Anyway,” also was inspired by an elderly lady, an 80-year-old regular at a San Diego nightspot who liked to dance every weekend to a young Chris James’ blues band at the time:

So, it’s blues tonight / it’s Ben-Gay tomorrow…listen to what I have to say / don’t care if it’ll kill me / gonna boogie anyway!

It’s a jumpin’ jivin’ dance number and Henry Gray, the noted Chicago/New Orleans pianist, expertly contributes his rhythmic boogie blues on the 88s, as Rynn follows the swingin’ patterns on bass. The glorious horns propel the bubbly tune that makes you want to boogie like the granny did.

It’s always a treat to hear songs that avoid the “my woman done me wrong” model of blues songwriting. Instead we hear the positive “Life Couldn’t Be Sweeter,” a lively jump blues tune with punchy horns and sizzling slide guitar that really moves and will make you “feel so good” just like James sings on the chorus.

The band really swings and jams on instrumentals “H.M. Stomp” and “Money Don’t Like Me Part 2.”  The former is a rollicking blues jam with guests Henry Gray and Bob Corritore really getting’ down on piano and harp respectively. On the breezy “Money, Part 2,” sax man Viau gets a chance to solo in true blue Eddie Shaw fashion.

The duo’s debut CD, Stop and Think About It, earned several nominations from the Blues Music Awards and won a Blues Blast Music Award. The positive feedback clearly inspired them to avoid the dreaded sophomore slump. James & Rynn will most certainly boogie on to earn more nominations and awards, as well as land on critics’ year-end Top 10 lists for the outstanding Gonna Boogie Anyway.

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