Now here's a man who has every right to the blues.

He's seen more cars literally go up in flames - as long-term relationships for most of us, which can be a bad way to start your day when your band's gear is trapped inside, played one last time by hell's flaming devils. The theme today is closing title tracks, and Good Day to Play the Blues (Van Fire Blues), says it all.

"I felt so bad, I felt so all alone, as I watched the fire burn everything I own."

It's rare you get a blues song in such specific, original terms, written and sung by the man at the centre of the bull's eye, and this alone is one of the most genuine moments in such a very tightly packed, conventional-flash-addicted genre. Like all the good songs on A Good Day, this track is sung slowly so that we can really get our ears firmly clamped on to Rhodes' voice.

She's Not Happy Unless She's Sad is a similar song in many ways, written by producer Bob Greenlee. A more general idea now, but a very familiar one to a lot of us. You women out there are awesome, you should remember that, no matter what your so-called man tells you.

Rhodes agrees.

When our turbaned hero speeds onto the autobahn, screaming out the window, well, that's OK, too. Lots of sweet, sustained slide guitar, and he barks and blows out his words like envelopes full of money.

I've been a Rhodes convert for a while, so let's worry about you. Climb on board, he's only 60. There's lots of time left. Despite the saucy getup, he's very genuine. (More on: Sonny Rhodes).

Track Listing 1. Big Bag O' Blues
  2. Love And Harmony
  3. She's Not Happy Unless She's Sad
  4. Driving Two Ways On A One-Way Street
  5. Honey Do Woman
  6. Ten Pounds Of Love (In A Five-Pound Sack)
  7. I Bleed Blue
  8. If The Blues Fits, Wear It
  9. I Wanna Get Your Boogie
  10. Win-Win Situation
  11. Good Man, Good Woman
  12. Monkey See, Monkey Do
  13. Good Day To Sing And Play The Blues (Van Fire Blues)