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

TRACK LISTING:

1  Road Runner
2  Shame, Shame, Shame
3  Eyesight To The Blind
4  Baby, Please Don't Go
5  Never Loved A Girl
6  Back Back Train
7  You Gotta Move
8  The Grind
9  I'm Ready
10  Temperature
11  Stop Messin' Around
12  Jesus Is On The Mainline