Although Yellow Dog is billing this disc as a "follow-up" to Big Joe Duskin's 1977 debut, Cincinnati Stomp (Arhoolie), the veteran pianist has recorded several albums since then, including Don't Mess With The Boogie Man (Special Delivery, 1988, reissued on Sanctuary) and Down The Road A Piece (Wolf, 1998) - and has appeared on several anthologies as well.

Pop-rock guitarist Peter Frampton makes an appearance on two cuts here, but of greater interest to most LB readers is probably the presence of percussionist Philip Paul, the fabled King Records session man who graced classics by the likes of Little Willie John (Fever), Bill Doggett (Honky Tonk), and Hand Ballard (The Twist). Bassist Ed Conley, who also hails from old the King session ensemble, adds more rootsy authenticity to the mix.

The octogenarian Duskin's piano technique shines most brightly on mid-tempo fare, on which he combines a gently propulsive boogie technique with a plangent melodicism that evokes masters of coloration like Jimmy Yancey. His voice is still expressive, especially in the upper registers, although in the mid-range it sounds as it has stiffened over time (a problem especially evident on extended phrases). But his jocular spoken interludes (especially on Down The Road A Piece) invoke the glory days of juke-joint boogie piano with both ebullience and sweet nostalgia, and his "less-is-more" approach toward improvisation is a blessed relief in the current age of instrumental overkill.

Predictably, Frampton's rock-tinged fretwork adds little to either Key To The Highway or an unnecessary cover of the over-worn Every Day I Have The Blues, and guest vocalist Shawna Snyder brings neither the requisite irony nor any semblance ot outlaw cred to Black Mountain Blues. But guitarist William Lee Ellis contributes sensual, emotionally intense acoustic slide work, and - of course - both Paul and Conley comport themselves with class, unerring swing, and deep soul throughout.

This is a mostly satisfying and occasionally exemplary set from a beloved veteran who still deserves to be better known outside his own city.