Canada's
Jeff Healey
enjoyed success in the early '90s with a pair of flame-throwing covers of
John Hiatt
songs,
"Angel Eyes"
and
"Confidence Man,"
both of which are included on this collection of tracks drawn from his four
Arista
albums. The blind guitarist's unorthodox laptop playing style, coupled with a solid rhythm section of
Tom Stephen
on drums and
Joe Rockman
on bass, gave the songs a bluesy, hard-rocking, and slightly edgy feel, a template the trio never abandoned, and which gives this compilation a comfortable feeling of cohesion. A cover of
George Harrison
's
"While My Guitar Gently Weeps"
works well here, as does a
gospel
-tinged take on
Jimi Hendrix
"Angel."
But the most affecting track may well be the album's closer, a loose-limbed, barroom romp through
Big Joe Williams
'
"Highway 49,"
which just plain rocks, pure and simple. ~ Steve Leggett