The Life I Love

Over four decades, aka has raised a family, worked as an auto mechanic, played a bit part in the film , and occasionally stepped on-stage in Chicago as a blues singer. Only his rarest recordings have ever been issued, but has finally seen fit to issue a full-length CD, with studio tracks and five live performances, all from the early to mid-'80s. Directly derived from his mentor and main man , 's singing has that lean and tough, clear as a bell, direct edge so typical of his hero, as he covers 's tunes and adds a few of his own to this mix. You also hear traces of , and , all acknowledged influences over 's career that has languished in obscurity. While 's voice bears the unmistakable stamp of , it is a bit less pronounced, not quite as gritty, and more soulful. The studio tracks feature many famous numbers like with a bit of a sound sneaking in, the lecherous the stompdown (incorrectly titled "I Want You to Love Me"), and the evergreen, upbeat Help from premier bluesmen like guitarists and , bassist , and keyboardist push the music onward. The five tracks recorded at on 63rd Street in Chi-Town are thin as far as the recording. 's voice is in the background as opposed to the instruments, and these tracks are little more than a curiosity, as there must be more well-documented live sessions from somewhere. Overall this is a welcome release, as the world gets to discover a vibrant and talented ostensibly for the first time. ~ Michael G. Nastos