To say this album is self-indulgent is an understatement. That’s not necessarily a fault, particular when you have impeccable taste in music like Robillard. (So few of us have it.) On Groove-A-Rama, Robillard pays tribute to his favorite players and his favorite guitars. (As the cover indicates, Robillard suffers from G.A.S. — Guitar Acquisition Syndrome.) The opener, “Memphis Grind,” is the perfect example as Robillard duplicates the biting Fender Telecaster sound that Steve Cropper and James Burton popularized in the early 1960s. Along the way, he also tips his cap to Scotty Moore, Lil’ Son Jackson via John Hammond, Bob Dylan, Jimmie Vaughn and himself! Gibson and Epiphone guitars also get ringing endorsements. Interestingly, Robillard cites Albert Collins as his influence on “No Way Out,” but I hear Robillard cop Elmore James’ style, a lá “Bobby’s Rock.” The centerpiece of the CD, “Blues-A-Rama” — a staple of Robillard’s live show — serves as a crash course in blues guitar styles. On it, he samples all of the Kings, Albert Collins, T-Bone Walker, Buddy Guy, Gatemouth, Muddy, Johnny “Guitar” Watson and Lowell Fulsom. Our own Guitar Slim gets a nod as well. There are lots of guys that can play the same notes as Robillard, but few can duplicate his great tone. It’s not so much what he plays, it’s how he plays it. Best said, this CD would be required listening if Blues Guitar 101 were taught in college.