When they talk about something being a good idea “on paper,” they’re talking about just this kind of all-star letdown. It seems like another cliché, a “no-brainer”—get Muddy Waters and Sonny Boy Williamson vet and boogie-woogie legend Perkins, place him in the shining jewel of Austin’s live-music crown, surround him with other Muddy vets and Austin’s proudest music veterans, and let the tape (and the blues) roll.

But even Muddy himself could have an off night, and the set that Live At Antone’s captures is competent and not much else. Despite the presence of Calvin Jones (bass), Willie “Big Eyes” Smith (drums), Fabulous Thunderbird Kim Wilson (harp), Rusty Zinn (guitar), and Mark “Kaz” Kazanoff on saxophone, this set is plain dull—the solitary whoops in the audience HAD to be someone hoping to juice the band up. (I’ve done it.) There’s a curious kind of lethargy among these giants during this, the 20th anniversary concert for the famous Antone’s music club. Pinetop and company almost seem distracted by something happening offstage, which is the only way to explain anyone’s limp version of “Got My Mojo Working” or “Caldonia.” The odd thing is, none of this really seems to be the 87-year-old Perkins’ fault: his runs are sweet, especially the textbook moves he unspools on “Look On Yonder’s Wall,” and when he sets the pace, like on “Big Fat Mama,” the results are a step or two up. Hell, Pinetop’s “high school” joke and easy patter here have more personality than the rest of his usually reliable band mates put together. Here’s hoping Volume 2 catches Pinetop solo.