Though K. Jones and the Benzie Playboys honor John Delafose, Boozoo Chavis and Preston and Keith Frank here, they do so flexing a Beau Jocque muscle and a guitar-heavy sound. Accordionist Kirk Jones allows his two guitarists plenty of free-wheeling rides that should appeal to rockers and jam banders alike, beyond the zydeco fiefdom. The title track, the disc’s most powerful, is virtually unstoppable; “Holdin’ On,” a Jones original, doesn’t let up much either. Bassist Doug Albright motors around with a fat, slippery sound and gives the Creole fiddle tune “Blue Runner” a solid anchor.

For being so rooted in trad, interestingly, “Hold on to It” is a progressive zydeco-reggae concoction showing what the band can do with a Bobby Byrd tune. The sweetest moment arrives when the band artfully downshifts into a lovely twin-fiddles rendition of Dewey Balfa’s historically significant “Newport Waltz” from a torrid “Why You Want to Make Me Cry.”

It’s hard to imagine anything sounding better on this Tony Daigle mix-mastered affair where most parts, especially drums, are clearly audible. While every arrangement is quite active, nothing overshadows Jones’ vocals, allowing every word to be heard and his gritty performance to be appreciated.