Since the release of his first CD,
Elmore James, Jr. has won a Living Blues award, been touring more frequently, and is firmly establishing his own style of electric modern blues in his dad's image. This album with his backup band, the Broomdusters, shows he's much more than just a chip off the ol' block, as his slide guitar work sounds more distinctively like
Elmore James, while his voice is not as rough and tumble. He's also more assertive as a songwriter, but is ever mindful of the tradition by covering famous songs from the classic Chicago blues repertoire. The band faithfully offers up renditions of "Dust My Broom," and "The Sky Is Crying," but also
Arthur Big Boy Crudup's "Look on Yonder Wall" and
Leroy Carr's "Mean Mistreater" that predate
James, Sr. Saxophonist Edward Williams honks and jives with
James, Jr. on occasion, trading licks for "Married Woman Blues" and dipping into a juke joint mode for the instrumental "Steppin' with Elmo'." There's a sense of value and purpose heard on every track, as
James, Jr. grows with confidence on several levels, making for a solid effort that one can go back to for repeat listenings. ~ Michael G. Nastos