Bland was 69 at the time of this release but boy,he had recorded album full of swagger - the very opening "Im Bobby B" could easily come from Bo Didley songbook and it just gets better from there. Sure he is much older than in the golden days and the voice is thinner but the spirit is still here - definitely - what is surprising is that after a several slow-burning blues albums he had kicked with something so lively and uplifting, its almost a party album. Snort is still here but if you have ever heard Bland before, this is what you came to expect and perhaps even anticipate - is he going to snort again? - ah yes, he does. Music is fine - typical good time blues even when lyrics can be downbeat but its finely moving towards centerpiece "Memphis Monday Morning" that comes along like some giant, slow wave of the blues. Bland spreads tender magic around what is basically worn-out cliché (my baby has left me) and the world stops during these 9 minutes - truly unexpected wonder from an old fox who plays around the cracks in that worn-out voice, really wonderful.
"You Left Me With The Blues" has Bland surrounded with modern production and some vaguely echo-sound effects which is all fine, good to hear Bland still sounding contemporary though his roots go back in the days when these producers were probably not even born. And than for finale, he snarls (and snorts) his way trough "Lookin' For Some Tush" rocking and leaving years in the dust behind him. It does wonders for me to hear this old man swaggering like a peacock and its truly uplifting - makes me feel good to hear my old favorite still getting it up and roaring. I love Bobby Bland.
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