into rapt attention, hanging on every word.

But that's only part of the story. As great as Hooker's solo work is, his irresistible uptempo shuffle boogie is his most enduring trademark, a simple piece of magic that translates effortlessly into full-band arrangements. Hooker's relentless boogie is as much a staple in rock history as Chuck Berry's signature song structure.

Boom Boom, Hooker's latest, showcases both his brooding and boogieing styles effectively, as John Lee proves he's lost none of his musical vitality forty-five years after recording his first hit, "Boogie Chillun." His spooky solo style is well represented on "I'm Bad Like Jesse James," "Sugar Mama," the fatalistic "Hittin' the Bottle Again" and the sepulchral, dreamlike "Thought I Heard," which is punctuated by the eerie walls of Charlie Musselwhite's harmonica.

Hooker rocks out on the rest of the album backed by his working group, as well as guitarists Jimmie Vaughan on the title track, Robert Cray on "Same Old Blues Again," Albert Collins on "Boogie at Russian Hill" and John Hammond on "Bottle Up and Go." It's the same old blues again, indeed, awe inspiring as ever. (RS 655)

JOHN SWENSON