WHO ARE THEY? A Boston blues trio fronted by singer-guitarist Pat Faherty and guitarist Matthew Stubbs, GA-20’s sound takes its cues from vintage Chicago blues and rock ’n’ roll — and earns bonus credibility points from Stubbs’ decade-plus tenure with harmonica master Charlie Musselwhite.
WHAT IS THIS? Their satisfying and authentic debut album, which includes cameos from Musselwhite and Mississippi Allstars guitar master Luther Dickinson.
WHAT DOES IT SOUND LIKE? JD McPherson fronting The Black Keys at Buddy Guy’s Legends.
WHAT SHOULD IT BE TITLED? 20/20 Vision.
HOW SHOULD I LISTEN TO IT? On a cheap stereo — all the better to appreciate its unvarnished simplicity.
WHAT 10 WORDS DESCRIBE IT? Raw, real, reverberating, mellow, hypnotic, groovy, classic, earthy, gritty, gruff.
WHAT ARE THE BEST SONGS? The Musselwhite and Dickinson-graced Naggin’ On My Mind, the similarly upbeat One Night Man, the searing shuffle I Feel So Good and the slashing title cut.
WHAT WILL MY FRIENDS SAY? ‘When you’ve got a singer and guitarist this good, who needs a bassist?’
HOW OFTEN WILL I LISTEN TO THIS? It’ll get your mojo working enough to prompt some encores.
IF THIS ALBUM WERE A DRINK, WHAT WOULD IT BE? Draft beer or off-brand whiskey.
SHOULD I BUY, STREAM OR STEAL IT? Well, it’s not like you blew all your money on that bottom-shelf booze.
