Folk blues and roots grow deeply together on this album by Eli Cook. He plays guitar, mandolin, lap steel guitar and electric bass along with Peter Spaar/b, Nathan Brown/dr and Zach Samel/perc. His voice is reminiscent of early Paul Rodgers and Rod Stewart, rasping through rural stompers like “Trouble Maker” and a harrowing “Can’t Lose What You Never Had.” Guitar picking with a nod to Rev. Gary Davis make for a rich “The Devil Finds Work” while he slithers through the delta with some swampy pickings on “King of the Mountain.” He knows how to tell a campfire story during “Mother’s Prayer” and with a droopy eyed lilt, he creates with Brown’s brushes a relaxed and laconic read of Bob Dylan’s “I’ll Be Your Baby Tonight” while closing out the album with a strong and upbeat “If Not For You.” Music with red clay underneath the fingernails.