Hubert Sumlin

Hubert Sumlin

About Them Shoes (Tone-Cool/Artemis)

Antone's nightclub not only bestowed Austin its world-class reputation as a blues town, it delivered the goods. Chicago stalwarts especially benefited by owner Clifford Antone's dedication, and Hubert Sumlin has been among the most enduring supporters. It's no wonder Austin considers the Mississippi-born bluesman one of its own; he is, after all, the man blistering guitar on Willie Dixon's "Wang Dang Doodle" and playing with the mighty Howlin' Wolf. Here's Sumlin with About Them Shoes, and what is he doing? Paying finest kind tribute to Dixon, Muddy Waters, and half a dozen titans of the genre. The songs themselves are no surprise, standard blues fare such as Waters' "Long Distance Call" and Dixon's "I'm Ready," yet the allure of names like Keith Richards ("Still a Fool"), Levon Helm ("Walkin' Thru the Park"), David Johansen ("The Same Thing"), and Austin resident James Cotton ("She's Into Something") is hard to pass up. Even the not-so-well known names have a sheen – Bob Margolin, Blondie Chaplin, Paul Oscher, and, oh yeah, Eric Clapton. The result is a spirited but smooth recording that succeeds in showcasing Sumlin's still-fierce guitar. That Sumlin imbues songs such as "Don't Go No Farther," "Evil," and "Iodine in My Coffee" with such mystical mojo goes without saying – the guitar speaks for itself. (Wednesday, March 16, 9pm @ Antone's)