This 1999 reissue of
Hutto's final album on Varrick captures him in rare form, even more surprising and courageous in light of the fact that he was to die of cancer only a few months after these sessions. It finds
Hutto with the last edition of his regular road band (Brian Besesi on guitar,
Kenny Krumbholz on bass and
Leroy Pina on drums) with sit-ins from
Ron Levy and the
Roomful of Blues reed section on selected cuts, taking his brand of Chicago tavern blues once step further. Tunes like "Soul Lover" and "Black's Ball" show
Hutto stretching out beyond the usual boogies and slow blues, while his takes of
Junior Parker's "Pretty Baby,"
Fenton Robinson's "Somebody Loan Me a Dime" and
Howlin' Wolf's "I'm Leaving You" are all stamped with the signature
Hutto touch. This reissue also brings to light two previously unreleased tracks recorded at the same session, the whole package showing that
Hutto was a bluesman to the end. ~ Cub Koda, All Music Guide
