Occasionally, in one of Chicago’s many unsentimental dives there is a musical outfit that self-consciously recovers the sounds that made Chicago a destination for musicians. They can be green or seasoned, of both the jazz and blues stripes. A patron can close his eyes, and in between sloshes of rye, gulp down generous portions of nostalgia with a chaser of old-school charm.
On any given night, that outfit might very well be the Deep Chicago Rhythm Owls (Owls). The name immediately indicates the band’s fondness for late-night musical carousing and their firm entrenchment in the rich landscape of Chicago music.
Their sets often last until close. At once shrewd and buoyant, the Owls create with their smoggy confines an atmosphere.
Driven by the Satchmo-hewn vocals of Trombone Dave Ramey and the swampy precision of Paul Kaye’s guitar, the Owls deliver savory versions of such numbers as “Bye, Bye Blues,” “Pennies from Heaven” and “The Sheik of Araby.”
Homage is also paid to the delta-cum-urban style of early electric blues acts as well as Curtis Mayfield’s Chicago Soul album with numbers like “Got My Mojo Workin'” and “He Don’t Love You (Like I Love You).”
Rick Veras on fiddle, Pete O’Leary on double bass and frequent guest Larry Cox on harmonica compliment the Ramsey-Kaye nucleus.
When you find yourself knee deep in crooked aldermen and parking tickets and need a little peace of mind, stop in to see the Deep Chicago Rhythm Owls. They are pleased to remind you that some things never change.
The Deep Chicago Rhythm Owls can be found at the California Clipper at 1002 N. California and Duke’s Bar at 6920 N. Glenwood with startling regularity. Upcoming shows include Dec. 1 at the Clipper and Dec, 2 at the Waukegan Holiday Festival in downtown Waukegan.