Appropriately, on Gregg Allman’s first solo outing in over a decade, he’s chosen to record a CD that’s essentially a blues “tribute” album. To his credit, Allman sounds absolutely miserable here which, if you’re recording blues, is most beneficial. (He’s not the picture of contentment on the cover either.) Outside of one original, the rest of the material is largely an intriguing mix of largely country and Chicago blues material.

Produced by T Bone Burnett, and sporting an all-star studio cast (including Mac Rebennack), “haunting” might be the best way describe the mood here, as many songs are arranged in minor keys. In fact, you can’t get much more haunting than the opener, “Floating Bridge,” Sleepy John Estes’ true tale of falling into a ragging river and being saved from drowning by clinging to a floating bridge. The loss of love and the process of losing it are a constant theme throughout as songs like “Little by Little, “Devil Got My Woman,” “Checkin’ on My Baby” and “Blind Man” exemplify. Interestingly, “Blind Man” is actually a cover of a cover. Originally recorded by Bobby “Blue” Bland, the version here mirrors the arrangement of Little Milton’s later hit version.

Allman takes a more macho turn though on the likes of Muddy’s “Can’t Be Satisfied” and Magic Sam’s “My Love Is Your Love.” The last few years, Sam’s songs have frequently been turning up on new blues CDs and Allman gets on the bandstand too with what might well be the highlight of this disc. Allman also does a very creditable job of B.B. King’s “Please Accept My Love,” which listeners on the Gulf Coast will immediately recognize as a swamp pop ballad. Low Country Blues is the real thing and a wonderful listen from beginning to end.