Working Class

Before moving to California and beginning his successful association with country singer Dwight Yoakam, Pete Anderson cut his musical teeth in Detroit playing rock & roll and R&B. It comes as no surprise then that on his first solo outing he would stray from the signature country string-bending style that had become his trademark. From the bluesy strut of Anderson's own "Working Class" to the gorgeous instrumental reading of the oft-covered Ruby & the Romantics classic "Our Day Will Come" along with the Texas blues shuffle take on Jimi Hendrix's "Fire," Anderson's relaxed delivery — both vocally and with his always-captivating guitar playing — emits the feeling that there was little pressure in making this record. He and his band sound like they are having a great time. There are hints of country and folk (a solo cover of Dylan's "She Belongs to Me"), but primarily this is a blues record and a fine one at that. An enjoyable and insightful look at one of country music's most innovative and influential guitarists.