There are a lot of bands out there doing their Christmas songs this week. Watkins & the Rapiers have been doing them all month. But nobody does a better batch than Bobby Henrie and the Goners. We caught their annual Xmas show at Abilene on Saturday night and didn’t leave until it was all said and done. Jingle Bell Rock, Baby, It’s Cold Outside with Jimmy playing sleigh bells on the intro and outro!
A few years ago they were especially tight, knocking out songs in rapid succession. I think they had a string of Christmas parties that year. This year they were especially loose taking five minutes or so between songs. They tear it up either way. Jimmy, reliably late with the snare, Brian right on and Bobby, as always, an incredible player with a great voice and an explosive, live wire. The band, in their thirtieth year as a trio, is equal parts rock and roll. Most bands today have dropped the roll and I miss it. It allows the Goners to mix country, jazz and blues with their old fashioned r&R.
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