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If this cd crackled and hissed you would swear that it was recorded sixty or seventy years ago. The fact that the recording was made in 1988 is testament to R.L. Burnside's authenticity as a traditional blues player.

In the main, the cd is made up of a combination of original material coupled with a sprinkling of John Lee Hooker songs. The exception to this is 'Walking Blues' which, according to the sleeve, is creditied to Burnside himself although we all know the original to have been penned by Robert Johnson. Interesting though to point out that the version of 'Walking Blues' on this cd bears a remarkable similarity not only to the one recorded by Eric Clapton on his 'Unplugged' album four years later but also to the Muddy Waters track 'Feel Like Going Home' from Muddy Waters 'Sings "Big Bill"/Folk Singer'. Maybe one of these is where Eric got his inspiration, who knows?

All songs have Burnside covering the guitar and vocal parts with added harmonica on most tracks provided by John Neremberg who does a great job of filling the background space without ever getting 'in your face'. Burnside gives a solid performance without ever going over the top, just how it used to be played.

Although only 35 minutes long, this cd gives us a collection of solid blues songs done in a style reminiscent of blues players of the past, and for that it must be applauded. One hiccup, however, is the inclusion of 'Monkey In The Pool Room' which is not a song but a rhyming story about a pool playing baboon. All I can think is that the boys had some studio time left at the end of the session.

Although I quite like this cd, I don't think it is one for someone new to the blues, it's a bit too traditional to appeal to the masses. I prefer to think of this as something you might work towards. Don't take my word for it though, try the samples to see what you think, this might be right up your street.