Culled from the ashes of New Orleans’ Black Top Records, these recordings dating back to the early 1980s, took place during Ronnie Earl’s last few months with Roomful Of Blues and the beginning of his solo career. Earl was very much a sponge back then, absorbing several electric guitar styles. He mimics Guitar Slim on “You Give Me Nothing But the Blues,” recycles Clarence Hollomon on “I Smell Trouble,” and shadows Earl Hooker on “Off the Hook.” I also hear the influence of Muddy, Magic Sam, Buddy Guy, and of course all three of the Kings. However, Earl had the ability to add a bit of himself even when covering another artist’s material. There are plenty of instrumentals with “Ronnie Johnnie” and “Catfish Blues” among the nastiest. Like the recent Anson Funderburgh Black Top reissue, this is a fine collection of the artist’s early work. Let’s hope Shout! Factory can now get around to Snooks Eaglin, Earl King and James “Icepick” Harman.