CD Review
25 Years of Chicago Blues Piano - Volume 2 Instrumentals
Barrellhouse Chuck
Viola Records
By Craig Ruskey
Jan 2007

16 tracks, 43 minutes. Recommended. If there's anyone more qualified or determined to carry the torch of Chicago's lofty blues piano history into the future, you'd have a difficult time convincing the growing mass of supporters who would cast votes for Barrelhouse Chuck Goering. Having learned at the side of such legendary figures as Sunnyland Slim, Little Brother Montgomery, Jimmy Walker and others too numerous to mention, Goering continues to dish out well-crafted Chicago blues from behind a piano or Farfisa organ like nobody's business, and make no mistake, Chuck is all-business. The 16 tracks are culled from a number of discs and feature the combined efforts of Billy Flynn, Rich Kirch, or Hash Brown on guitar, Frank Bandy or Calvin Jones on bass, with drumming provided by Kenny Smith or his father, Willie, Sam Lay, and S.P. Leary, along with a smattering of tough harp. The rotating cast lays down prime Chicago blues and boogie instrumentals and the telephone messages from Chuck's circle of friends are humorous, touching, and a sad reminder of how many greats have passed on in recent years.

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