Versatility is the name of the game with Dave Sherman and the Nightcrawlers on their debut CD, Bad Boy. It’s a mix of several different kinds of blues, all tastefully done, ranging from Texas to Chicago and places in between.

My favorites among the standout songs (nine originals, three covers) are Sherman’s Texas swinger "It’s Just Not Me," harpist Roger Edsell’s "Dressin’ Like You Don’t Dress For Me," which sounds like it came straight out of the swamp, and the slow burning covers of Eddie Taylor’s "Bad Boy" and Elmore James’ "Talk To Me Baby," both of which smolder for eight plus minutes.

Sherman’s "Love Me Tonight," with horns and Hammond B-3 added to the mix, sounds like a Memphis soul number from the 60s. Actually, there’s not a bad song in the bunch, with three of the band members contributing songs. Sherman is as skilled a singer as he is a guitarist.

There are very few, if any traces of rock that creep into his fretwork. He’s strictly about the blues. Edsell is equally fine on the harmonica, never overplaying, and is also a good singer. The key to the band could quite possibly be the rock-solid rhythm section of Leo "Scatman" Aspiras on bass and Jimi Jones on drums (who also sings on a couple of numbers). They never stray from the groove, regardless of the style being played. This band has a loyal following in the D.C. area, and it’s easy to see why. This is a fine, enjoyable CD by a band we should be hearing more about.