MUSIC REVIEW OF THE DAY: MYLES GOODWYN - FRIEND OF THE BLUES 2

Myles Goodwyn turned a few heads last year with his Juno-nominated Friends Of The Blues album, especially those who pigeon-holed him in his April Wine/rock hero role. But Goodwyn had been talking about making a blues record for years, ajd the results were surprising and satisfying. To show this was no passing whim, this second set comes hot on the heals of the first, continuing the hot streak.

Where the first blues album hyped the friends part, with tons of guests from the blues world, this one feels more like a Goodwyn release than a Goodwyn-and-guests. His songwriting comes through loud and clear, and makes him stand out from the usual blues crowd. With his hit-making prowess and way with a melody, Goodwin adds just a bit of Top 40 smarts to the blues form. They are enjoyably catchy, and often delivered with a wink in the vocals. He has lots of fun updating the old Cadillacs hit as "Speedo (Revisited)," the legend brought back to life. And if you remember the saga of Goodwyn's decades-lost guitar, returned to him last Christmas, we get his tribute to the six-string, "I Love My Guitar."

There are plenty of guests this time around too, but instead of being the story, they are cast to benefit the songs. Kenny "Blues Boss" Wayne pumps his piano on "Hip Hip," Canadian axemen such as Jack De Keyzer, David Gogo and Jack Semple do their stuff, and East Coasters including Matt Andersen, John Campbelljohn and Bill Stevenson get important roles. I also love the fact that Goodwyn has moved back to the Maritimes recently, since leaving Halifax for Montreal and April Wine fame back in the early '70's, and is now working with the local talent.

The best guest spot comes from Montreal singer Angel Forrest, who helps take the energy up a couple of notches, joining Goodwyn for "Being Good (Won't Do Us Any Good Tonight)." Don't get me wrong, I get just as excited as the next Boomer when "Oowatanite" comes on the classic rock station, but it's much more satisfying seeing a veteran coming up with new quality stuff decades later.