Joe Beard - No More Cherry Rose (1991)

Joe Beard was 52 when he recorded No More Cherry Rose in 1990, an enjoyable electric blues date that employs Lucky Peterson on piano, Ernie Lancaster on guitar, Bob Greenlee on bass, and John Dubuc on harmonica (among others). Not a bad cast of players, and this isn't a bad album at all. Except for a likable interpretation of Lightnin' Hopkins' "Papa's Little Angel," the singer/guitarist concentrates on his own songs, which range from the humorous "When I Get Drunk" and the playful "Let Me Love You" to the lonely "Heaven on My Own" and the haunting title song. Beard favors a relaxed, laid-back style of singing that clearly owes a debt to Jimmy Reed, and he has also been influenced by Texas blues great Lightnin' Hopkins. However, it's equally clear that the singer/guitarist is very much his own man. Not a gem but generally pleasing, this album went out of print after several years but will hopefully be reissued someday