Recorded live at the New Daisy Theater with
Bland's regular working road band, this captures him in fine form, bringing together old favorites with some other numbers for a heady blend. When called for, the old
Joe Scott heavy horn-laden arrangements are summoned up on tunes like "St. James Infirmary," "Farther on Up the Road," "That's the Way Love Is," "I Pity the Fool," and "I'll Take Care of You" with consummate ease. But even more telling is how effortlessly and seamlessly material like
Buddy Ace's "Love of Mine," "Members Only," "Soon as the Weather Breaks," and
Bill Withers' "Ain't No Sunshine" and "Get Your Money Where You Spend Your Time" meshes with the old standbys. A lengthy slow blues medley brings guest appearances from
Johnnie Taylor and
Bobby Rush on "Stormy Monday," but the real star here is
Bland himself. He's in good voice and good humor, and this makes a fine addition to his stack of latter-day recordings. ~ Cub Koda