Big Boss Man (CBUJ Entertainment, 2005)

Though the Kentucky Headhunters perform several country classics on their latest, the blues-rock arrangements bear little resemblance to the sound oftheir 1989 smash "Dumas Walker."

The most country sounding cuts are stellar versions of Roger Miller's "Chug a Lug" and the Everly Brothers' ballad "So Sad To See Good Love Go Bad." Hank Williams is well represented here. "Hey Good Lookin'" sounds more like Hank Jr. than Sr., while "Take These Chains From My Heart" has a "Rubber Soul" era Beatles feel to it. "Honkytonk Blues" and "You Win Again" are given more straightforward blues treatments. Other effective covers are Bob Dylan's "Like A Rolling Stone" and Joe South's "Don't It Make You Wanna Go Home." There are a couple of missteps. Lead vocalist Doug Phelps lacks the range to pull off The Beatles' "I'm Down," and Patsy Cline's "Walking After Midnight" is delivered in a passionless monotone.

While this release of country and rock covers is not a return to the mainstream, it is entertaining.