Duke Robillard celebrates his 16th release for Stony Plain Records by taking a step back. Reuniting with several of his Roomful of Blues bandmates (Doug James, Rich Lataille, and Al Basile) as well as incorporating some new faces (singer Sunny Crownover), Robillard revisits the ’40s and ’50s blues and R&B that has been Roomful of Blues’ trademark for over 40 years on Stomp! The Blues Tonight. In addition to the powerful horn section, Robillard has assembled a top notch rhythm section (Marty Ballou and Jon Ross on bass, Mark Teixeira on drums) and a set list that includes a perfect blend of cover tunes and originals.

The cover tunes range from a splendid slow blues version of Johnny “Guitar” Watson’s “Three Hours Past Midnight,” a wonderfully bouncy take of Roy Milton’s “Baby, You Don’t Know” (a staple of Roomful’s early repertoire), a rollicking take on Tiny Grimes’ version of “Frankie and Johnny,” featuring Robillard’s guitar and James’ saxophone, Wynonie Harris’ “Playful Baby,” a version of “Money’s Gettin’ Cheaper” that bears closer to Charles Brown’s original version than the more familiar Jimmy Witherspoon version, and “Tore Up,” complete with a wild Ike Turner-influenced guitar turn. The disc closer, Milton’s “Early in the Morning,” shows the influence of Milton on Robillard’s vocal style.

The originals include the rowdy title track, which kicks the disc off in appropriate fashion, “Look But Don’t Touch,” a gritty Texas blues collaboration between Robillard and Crownover, and “Jumpin’ The Bone,” a superb instrumental tribute to T-Bone Walker composed by Robillard and James. Crownover’s sultry vocals are featured on six tracks, including “I Wanna Hug You, Kiss You, Squeeze You,” Helen Humes’ “Million Dollar Secret,” Jay McShann’s “Hands Off,” Paul Gayten’s “For You My Love,” and a marvelous rendition of the Bessie Smith classic, “Ain’t Nobody’s Business.”

Robillard’s guitar work is as impressive as ever, as are his vocals. The band provides excellent support (Bruce Bears’ piano is a highlight) throughout. Any new Duke Robillard release is a guaranteed pleasure from start to finish, and Stomp! The Blues Tonight ranks up there with his best recordings.