Origins is Chris Plunkett’s second release, but the first on which the lead vocalist and writer plays both guitar and bass.
We met Chris many years ago at the Brookdale Guitar Show and we struck up a conversation during which he told us he had worked at the Musicians Institute in Hollywood California back in the nineties with another bassist, Tim Bogert, Joanne’s cousin. Since then, we have worked together many times as he is the long-time bassist for Sonny Kenn’s band, speaking of which, Sonny contributed his considerable artistic talent creating the drawings on both covers. The CD was engineered and produced at Jankland Studios by Steve Jankowski, who cowrote one song with Chris, as did Todd Sherman while six of the other seven numbers were written by Chris. In addition, he has enlisted some of the finest musicians on the Jersey Shore scene to join him on this nine-song musical journey.
The original tune, “That Train,” opens with Bobby Boyd’s chugging drums and is soon joined by Joseph Napolitano’s swinging steel guitar, then Ryan Gregg’s Honky-tonk piano takes a short solo followed by the unmistakable riffs of Sonny Kenn’s guitar. Meanwhile, Chris is holding down the bass while singing in a style that has you feeling that we’re all on this train ride together. “My Bucket Got A Hole In It” was written by Clarence Williams and made famous by Hank Williams (no relation) and opens with Chris on acoustic guitar and vocals. It then morphs into a rockabilly style with Paul Avrutin taking over the bass and Rick Brunemer adding some tasty sax as Ryan’s piano brings this fun tune home. The original number, “In The Evening When The Sun Goes Down,” kicks off with Joseph’s pedal steel guitar and Chris crooning about watching the stars on the porch with the one you love. Ryan’s piano helps to set the mood for this heartfelt ballad. “I’m Not Drinking For The Pleasure, I’m Drinking For The Pain” was co-written with Todd Sherman and tells the story of a man who tries to drown the sorrow of losing custody of his children. It a song of heartbreak that is amplified by the feeling in Chris’ voice coupled with the plaintive guitars of Todd and Mike Hogan. “Runnin Back To You” is a nice mid-tempo number with some great vocals by Chris over Mike’s solid lead and solo’s, Ryan’s B3 fills. Tommy LaBella’s sax playing over Bobby’s drum and cymbal work make this a real winner. In the original, “It Doesn’t Matter,” they pick up the tempo, and Chris sings about that eternal search we all take in our own way to find what we need. Some great interplay between Mike’s Slide guitar and Ryan’s piano makes this a joy to listen to. “Down To The Water” opens with Ryan’s NOLA style piano and Chris urging the listener to do as the title says. Tommy again lays down a great sax lead while also backing up the chorus behind Chris, taking the listener on another nice ride. Tommy’s pleading solo opens “I’m Crying In The Rain,” with Chris singing the blues over a lover who’s gone. Billy Hector lays down some of his trademark blues licks over Ryan’s piano and organ lines to great effect. The disc ends with the original tune, “I Love My Baby,” and has Steve doing what he does best, kicking off with a great horn chart where he’s playing trumpet with Tom Timko’s sax on this swinging forties style number. Ryan’s piano is spot on and a great way to finish, leaving the listener wanting more. It never ceases to amaze me how much great music comes out of the Jersey Shore. Hat’s off to Chris for his vision and pulling together all the great players to make this happen.