Aerosmith are one of the few arena-sized bands still capable of playing it down-to-earth when the occasion calls. For Honkin" on Bobo, the boys return to their bar band roots (and fire a warning shot at Jack White) with this set of classic blues and soul covers generously peppered with harmonica, horns, and boogie-woogie piano. For years, Aerosmith sprinkled similar ditties on their LPs, but devoting a whole disc to material associated with John Lee Hooker, Mississippi Fred McDowell, et al? That takes chutzpah--and they"ve got it to spare here. "Shame, Shame, Shame" is a finger-waggin", hip-shakin" romp, while "Baby, Please Don"t Go" starts out spooky, then escalates as Steven Tyler builds to a full-throttle holler with Joe Perry"s guitar blazing his backside all the way. Tyler even snatches one signature song ("Never Loved A Girl") away from the Queen of Soul...at least for a few minutes. --Kurt B. Reighley