Can't Even Do Wrong Right

Triple-threat singer, songwriter, and guitarist Elvin Bishop has had a mostly under-the-radar five-decade career since he first hit the scene in 1965 with the Paul Butterfield Blues Band, and over the course of some 20 albums under his name, his brand of good-humored R&B, country, and pop-laced blues has made him into sort a Jimmy Buffett for the blues crowd. With Can't Even Do Wrong Right, a scorching set of joyous blues rock, Bishop shows the world that's he's as good as he's ever been, and it's one of his most consistent albums, full of sweet, funky guitar licks, good songs, and a bouncy let's-all-have-a-good-time house party vibe. The title track leads things off with a wink, all chugging, gritty, and solid. "No More Doggin'," which features guest blues harpist Charlie Musselwhite, roars and stomps like a good barroom blues jam should, while the instrumental version of Jimmy Reed's "Honest I Do" here has a kind of easy flowing and resilient grace, even without lyrics, and Fats Domino's "Bo Weevil" gets turned into a bluesy honky tonk shuffle with considerable bite. Bishop carries it all with a good-natured grin, plays wonderful guitar, and sounds like he's having the time of his life. As Bishop has put it in interviews, the blues ain't football, you don't have to retire at 30, and you can play it all your life. Thankfully, he's done that, and thankfully, he continues to do it with passion, energy and joy. ~ Steve Leggett