This writer had the pleasure to see the Richmond-based acoustic trio, Sheryl Warner and the Southside Homewreckers, when they appeared at Herndon Blues Festival in 2000. The performance was shortly after harmonica player Rick Manson had replaced guitarist John Bradshaw in support of Ms. Warner and guitarist Gregg Kimball. This writer was impressed by the heart and spirit, in addition to their exemplary musicianship, they brought to a wide range of blues.

They have just issued a new CD, Lucky Oil On My Hand, that certainly should appeal to fans of acoustic blues. It has a diverse group of early blues recordings with influences ranging from the classic blues of Alberta Hunter and Bessie Smith, the Piedmont stylings of a Blind Boy Fuller, and the early urban blues of Tampa Red & Georgia Tom as well as Big Bill Broonzy.

They perform in a manner true to the spirit of the originals but go beyond simply recreating the original recordings. Its a joy to hear Sheryl sing of lost love as well as transform several songs associated with male singers like Blind Blake (“Chump Man Blues”), Big Bill Broonzy (“When I Been Drinking”), Blind Boy Fuller (“Corrine, What Makes You Treat Me So?”) and Tampa Red & Georgia Tom (“No Matter How She Done It”). The latter number is one of several on which pianist Steve Utt is heard and one on which either Manson or Kimball takes the lead vocal. Their accompaniments are exemplary and solos avoid excesses.

Manson displays influences from Sonny Terry on most songs and Walter Horton on a nice rendition of “Trouble in Mind.” “Future Blues,” originally recorded by Charlie Patton’s associate, Willie Brown, serves as a vehicle for a stunning vocal from Warner with a wonderful two-guitar accompaniment that evokes Brown’s original. The album concludes with a strong live performance of “Mississippi Blues” originally recorded by a different Willie Brown. In summary an excellent disc of heartfelt blues performances that lovers of traditionally oriented blues should check up on.