Z. Z. Hill - Down Home *** 1982

Down Home is one of the very few classic lues albums of the 1980s. Hill revitalized the genre among African-American listeners with his "Down Home Blues," which earned instant standard status. But the entire album is tremendously consistent, with the percolating R&B workouts "Givin' It Up for Your Love" and "Right Arm for Your Love" contrasting with an intimate "Cheatin' in the Next Room" and the straight-ahead lues "Everybody Knows About My Good Thing" and "When It Rains It Pours."