Looking back on it, a blues album by guitarist seems like an inevitability. Ever since the wild, early days of , relied on earthy riffs and slippery solos over shredding; his greasiness made him a tonic during the heyday of imitators. finds the guitarist emphasizing this aspect of his playing as he cranks up the amplification and leans into a hard backbeat with the assistance of a rotating cast of guest singers. As befitting a star of 's status, the vocalists are about as familiar as the tunes. He's not exploring, he's lying back, having a good time as he settles into his comfort zone. Cozy it may be, but doesn't sound lazy, even if it winds up never delivering anything unexpected. When steps up to the mike for "Born Under a Bad Sign," the singer isn't intent on reinventing the song, nor does want to do anything with "Hoochie Coochie Man" than offer some good-natured sleaze. Generally, this isn't a bad thing at all because usually picks sparring partners that are up to the task. The one major stumble -- a hammy blowing through "Papa Was a Rolling Stone" as if she was on American Idol -- serves as a way to gauge how effective the rest of the record is. Some acts amiably wander through the changes ( ) but , and especially , who pours himself into "The Pusher," sound as happy to be singing the blues as is playing them, and that's enough to make a good time. ~ Stephen Thomas Erlewine