Barrelhouse Stomp, Chris James and Patrick Rynn's third album for the Earwig label, is firmly rooted in traditional Chicago Blues, yet the San Diego-based duo continues to evolve and take chances in the studio, as this collection attests in eloquent fashion. This is tough, real-deal electric Blues to party to, to dance to, to sit down and savor.
Chris and Patrick have recruited three of the finest Blues pianists on the planet, Henry Gray, Aaron Moore, and David Maxwell to take part in this project, along with a pair of Chicago legends, guitarist Jody Williams and saxist Eddie Shaw. That's some heavy guest talent, and each of those Blues greats makes their mighty presence strongly felt on the set.
Even though their high-energy attack reflects their love for postwar electric Blues, Chris James and Patrick Rynn are decidedly of this moment and Barrelhouse Stomp lives up to its title and then some.