Delbert McClinton: Acquired Taste

First off, if your mama names you Delbert, you are almost fated to be a country blues singer. And so it was with Mr. McClinton, who has been putting out albums since 1972. Like fellow 68-year-olds Joan Baez, Bob Dylan, and Neil Diamond, Mr. McClinton has surfaced in the new millennium with renewed relevance. He may not be the top-selling sexagenarian or the most famous of his cohort, but McClinton showcases his energy and good humor on Acquired Taste. In fact, the faster the song on this album, the better. On the whole, Acquired Taste was quite a pleasant surprise.

Rating: * * * *