This is Terry Robb's debut for Yellow Dog but don't let that make you think that he is a mere novice in the music world. Robb is a seasoned campaigner, a winner of the Cascade Blues Association's Muddy Award no less than 16 times, produced albums for John Fahey, released a number of his own albums in the 1990s and played with Buddy Guy & Steve Miller. This stunning album opens with the Arthur Crudup song, made famous by Elvis, My Baby Left Me. From the opening bars of this you know that you are in for a musical treat as Robb produces some sublime guitar playing. My Mind Is Trying To Leave Me is a superb contemporary blues and I just love the title. If anything, the guitar playing is even better on this one. The instrumental Madison Avenue Shuffle is, as the title suggests, a rhythmic, metronomic blues and Robb is fast becoming one of my favourite acoustic guitarists.

There's a J.J. Cale feel to the smooth swaying blues of Louise, a Robb arrangement on a traditional song and the title track is acoustic slide guitar played by a master of the art and Charlie Wood on piano is the perfect foil. Hesitation Blues/Knowing What Blues is a country blues that drifts off into ragtime – not surprising, as his uncle was a swing musician who taught him ragtime, blues, country and jazz. Back To Memphis is a Chuck Berry song and this version is quite different to Chuck's. Terry's backing band of Stax veteran Willie Hall (drums), the aforementioned Charlie Wood and Paul Taylor (bass) provide the building blocks for his excellent slide guitar.

Like Merle is a country blues played to the now customary brilliance and leads into the laid back blues of Cassie, both are self-penned and are fine examples of Terry Robb's songwriting skills. Another of the classy covers is Doc Pomus' Lonely Avenue, which was made famous by Ray Charles. Robb plays this in a shuffling style and gives us a staccato solo that confirms his status in my top 10 guitar players. Joe Kirby Blues is a John Fahey slow blues, played exquisitively. Fare Thee Well Blues is a country blues that will stand up to all the old classics and we are treated to a Booker T & The MGs track to finish with. My Sweet Potato has funky bass from Paul Taylor and gives a final chance for Robb to show his virtuosity on acoustic guitar. I am in awe!

This is a stunning debut for Yellow Dog who are fast becoming the label to sign for.