demonstrates that a bluesman doesn't have to be a fantastic vocalist to provide a meaningful album. Best known in Chicago blues circles for his ten years as 's guitarist, isn't a singer's singer. He is an adequate singer with a relaxed, laid-back vocal style that owes a lot to , but as a guitarist, obviously has sizable chops. And thankfully, he takes a lot of guitar solos on , which has as much to do with pre-1980 soul and funk as it does with electric Chicago blues. Not that (who was 44 when this CD was recorded in July 2000) isn't an expressive singer -- he doesn't have massive pipes, but he still gets his points across on 12-bar blues numbers (including 's and ' ) as well as soul classics like Meanwhile, pleasantly surprises the listener with an instrumental version of which was also recorded by -- and which really gives him a chance to stretch out on guitar. And equally surprising is 's interpretation of which he changes from crunching hard rock to bluesy, rock-influenced soul. isn't a masterpiece, but it's a decent effort from an impressive guitarist who is also a likable, if limited, singer. ~ Alex Henderson