How to judge a book by its cover, or a CD, anyway: Andy J. Forest’s harmonica is as wild as his sharp threads and as simultaneously limber and out of control as his pose on the front of this live smoker, recorded in Ottawa on what sounds like a particularly hot night.

Forest doesn’t bother with the niceties; he’s here to jam, and he sets the agenda straight off with a boogaloo cover of  Jimmy Witherspoon’s “Drinkin’ Beer,” keeping the mood moving through a mostly-original set that showcases his wild harp and zoot suited, wing tipped wit to good effect. This is one of those great live albums where the audience didn’t get left behind in the mixing board, and one can hear their approval all over smoothly accurate Forest titles like “Capable.”

Bassist Jerry Dugger also steps up with party-hearty covers of “Electra 225” and NRBQ’s “Want You To Feel Good Too,” and guitarist Tony D becomes the perfect melodic foil for Forest’s wild harp excursions. The band only has two gears, fast shuffle and smooth after-hours chug, and Forest’s vocals aren’t quite the match of his harmonica runs, but folks who listen to CDs like this are half in the bag anyway. Or should be. “Thank you,” Forest says after “Capable,” and a member of the audience responds, “Thank You.” It was

that kinda night. Wish I’d been there.