
First off: my thoughts on this were delayed for months. However, it wasn't because I don't have time, but because it had been stolen by a blues-loving father and a friend of ours, who both dug into it with relish. On the few occasions when I actually HAVE had a chance to listen to it, I can truthfully say that I enjoyed it too.
Standout moments include the album opener "Dead Man Walking" (which, as I found out, makes a great pre-church service cut), and the band's tribute to the Rolling Stones in "(No) Sympathy for the Devil". Large Al (and you GOTTA admire a guy that makes that his OWN nickname) has a smooth voice, almost reminiscent of Sinatra or Tony Bennett rather than B.B. King, Muddy Waters, or other famous blues singers.
This is not a "dark" blues album. If you want to savor that moody feeling, pick up a Glenn Kaiser disc, but if you want some enjoyable "happy" blues, pick this up.
4 tocks
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