M.C.

A shaggy, rambling lovability defines Eric Lindell, a California-to-Louisiana singer and guitarist initially promoted as a blues artist. At times, particularly on the first of these two discs (both originally self-released as separate albums) – with regular trio mates Myles Weeks on upright bass and Will McMains on drums – Lindell’s throaty, soulful vocals and laidback acoustic grooves recall the likes of G. Love & Special Sauce and JJ Grey. The shuffling title track – a road-trip song featuring Nick Ellman’s clarinet – and the horn-packed “Try to Understand” – bolstered by Ivan Neville’s organ – are just two of the many keepers. Other highlights include the tangy opener “Sentimental Lover,” retro-rootsy “Dog Eat Dog” and covers of Curtis Mayfield’s punchy, piano-spiked “Find Another Girl” and the slow-burning “It’s So Hard to Believe.”