Raw

Soul Blues superstar Bobby Rush is known for his elaborate stage shows and sexy dancers, but on his new CD RAW he returns to his rural blues roots. RAW finds Rush mostly alone with his acoustic guitar and harmonica, assisted only by Shawn Kellerman's dobro guitar on three of the thirteen tracks. Rush's approach here is restrained but authorative, particularly on the civil rights commentary, "How Long", which addresses the unfulfilled promise of forty acres and a mule.