To a country blues purist, asking to record an album of electric Chicago blues is an act of blasphemy. So imagine the reaction of such elitists when, in 1968, president united the Tennessee bluesman with an electric-oriented Chicago blues band that included on electric guitar, on piano, on harmonica, and or on electric bass. Purists were appalled, and they had no kind words for the resulting album, . But if they hadn't been so close-minded, they would have realized that this is a decent album, if an uneven and unremarkable one. While ' vocal style is pretty much the same, the band is pure Chicago blues -- and when you think it, the combination makes perfect sense. Chicago's electric blues were a logical extension of southern country blues, just as rock & roll, soul, and funk were a logical extension of electric Chicago blues and jump blues (and just as hip-hop is a logical extension of funk and soul). Hearing a 69-year-old backed by Chicago bluesmen like and offended purists, but (which was reissued on CD in 1991) is nothing for to be ashamed of. Although not among ' essential recordings, is an interesting footnote in his long career. ~ Alex Henderson