Before this, I`d always thought of guitarist Cal Collins as a self-consciously mainstream player who cultivated Swing-era virtues in a revivalistic manner. But this exuberant, bluesy album is something else, as Collins adds a twangy, country-and-western drive to his lines and swings with a passion that becomes almost nasty at times.
Fond of hammered-out phrases that descend into his instrument`s lower register, Collins is inspired throughout. And he is backed to perfection by pianist Steve Schmidt, bassists Lynn Seaton and drummer John Von Ohlen (the rhythm section of the Cincinnati-based Blue Wisp Big Band).
There isn`t a weak moment on ”Crack`d Rib,” and the level of intensity reached on several tracks (especially ”Wabash Blues” and ”I Surrender Dear”) suggests that this was one those magic sessions that find good players surpassing themselves.
