Elvin Bishop: Elvin Bishop’s Raisin’ Hell Revue

Guitarist and singer Elvin Bishop enjoyed his greatest commercial success with the 1976 single "Fooled Around and Fell in Love" (from 1975's Struttin' My Stuff (Capricorn)). His importance to the development of classic rock, as a member of the Paul Butterfield Blues Band in the 1960s, is often overshadowed by that AM/FM confection as are his other recordings, especially Rock My Soul (Epic, 1972) and Let it Flow (Capricorn, 1974). While perhaps not a mainstay, Bishop was a solid presence in the Southern rock of the era.

While Bishop has remained active since the 1970s, he has not garnered the attention of that period. He became a blues novelty in the 2000s, recording several albums for Alligator Records. He has parlayed this niche to the cruise ship circuit, recording live Elvin Bishop's Raisin' Hell Revue where rather than pepper standards with his "hits" he peppers his "hits" with some standards. "The Night Time is the Right Time" and "It Hurts Me Too" are the standards, dispatched with able aplomb by Bishop and band.

Bishop hops through "Callin' All Cows," "Rock My Soul" and "What the Hell is Goin' On" spinning off copious amounts of his tasty and instantly recognizable lead and slide guitar. If there is a disappointment on this recording, it is that Bishop did not perform "Travelin' Shoes" (a concert staple from Let It Flow. That would have been the white gravy. At 68, Bishop remains in salad days voice, chops intact.