Barrellhouse Chuck
Viola Records
By David Whiteis
Livng blues Dec 2005
Chicago-based pianist Barrelhouse Chuck Goering studied under both Little Brother Montgomery and Sunnyland Slim. The influences of these lengendary keyboardists remain strong in his playing, but he's also adept at infusing orginal ideas into the mix.
This set consists of tracks recorded between 1980-2005; the earlier outings include such now departed figures as drummer S.P.Leary and guitarist Otis "Smokey" Smothers. As expected, the sunnyland and little brother influences are predominants; they are accompanied by savory innovations such as chuck's jaurity stride=laced ebullience on a unnamed "bonus track" and his incongruous (but successful) churchy organ on Ain't nobody's business, which features a wonderful low-key vocal from Bethany Thomas. You Tld Me Baby showcases Willie Kent on bass and vocals as well as johnny B. Morrre on lead guitar and Chuck on piano; it recreates the late 50s/early 60s Chicago small-label sound-aggressive 12 bar blues backed by brawny riffing horns and infused with aggression.
Chuck's latter day work-including an antic remake of The Ventures 1959 surf music classic Walk Don't run 69 featuring Chuck on organ backed by guitarist Billy Flynn and Drummer Kenny Smith (son of the longtime Muddy Waters drummer Willie Smith)- presents more evidence to challenge those who'd pigonhole him as a immitator. Also savory, if more traditional in tone, is Nutty Boogie, a four-fisted piano duet between Chuck and Erwin Helfer. Despite its stylistic jumps; this set coheres due to the principals, craftsmanship and dedication. Its a very worthy addition to our extant recorded legacy of contemporary Chicago blues
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