Before he became a master interpreter of Crescent City rhythm and blues, and before David Bartholomew took him under his wing at Imperial records, Ford "Snooks" Eaglin took to the streets. While moonlighting behind New Orleans stars like Sugarboy Crawford, he specialized in an eclectic variety of acoustic folk songs and blues. So you won"t find the fiery electric fretwork you"ve come to expect from Snooks on this album. But you will find subtler pleasures. At the time, Snooks (blind since his early childhood) was absorbing the gospel and rhythm and blues that he heard around him. He has given the songs on this CD his own warm and very personal treatment. Tracks like Ray Charles"s "I Got a Woman," "Mama, Don"t You Tear My Clothes," and "Don"t You Lie to Me" offer a mix of nimble fingerpicking and strumming backed by simple washboard accompaniment. But the sound quality isn"t too great, and there is a sameness to his sound once you reach the last track. Still, these songs are an interesting chapter in the story of a New Orleans blues legend, one who sounds more vital with each passing year. --Ken Hohman