Smokehouse continues to mine the Louisiana Excello groove for all it's worth on this, their fourth release. But rather than just replicating a stack of old Excello 45s by
Lightnin' Slim,
Slim Harpo and
Lazy Lester, et al, the group wisely chooses to utilize the sound and style as a launching pad for their own derivations. Anthony "Packrat" Thompson keeps his vocals impassioned and his harp-blowing economical and soulful, while the rest of the group never overplays and keeps the groove well focused on every tune aboard. Highlights are bountiful, but special attention should be paid to "Credit Card Blues," "Them Jelly Blues," "Haints In My House," the
Slim Harpo-influenced "Biscuit Roller" and the closer, "95 South (The High Sheriff From Hell)," winners all. ~ Cub Koda