Is there anything more to a perfect, fulfilled life than Peace, Love, & BBQ? It’s a rhetorical question, and Marcia Ball sings it like that, too. Her new record is another consistent entry to the oeuvre of Ms. Ball. Her voice is alternately celebratory on “Party Town” and “Watermelon Time” or plaintive while harmonizing with her backup singers or singing lead on “Where Do You Go.” Her piano playing has its usual honky-tonk stomp and Longhair rhythms.  She even takes a turn on an ominous accordion that adds a certain Southern mystery to “Miracle in Knoxville.”

Throughout the remainder of the CD, Ball takes us on a ride throughout the Gulf Coast world of music—a Cajun romp, a swamp groove, and a jazzy duet with Dr. John on “I’ll Never Be Free” that moves like a slower “Makin’ Whoopee.” Throughout the record, Ball cooks as if she makes the marinade that is the common spice of Louisiana and South Texas music. It’s a great record for evenings in the porch swing, morning coffee, afternoon crawfish boils, or—of course—barbecue.