The Groundhogs: Live at the Astoria

In a taped segment, founder Tony McPhee introduces this 1998 concert, noting that the lineup of the blues-rock outfit has changed several times since the 1960s, and apologizing for the condition of his voice as he was recovering from the flu at the time. In the 11-track set filmed in London, the three-piece band powers through a combination of originals and covers, heavy on the Howlin' Wolf, since they were on tour in support of their album Hogs in Wolf's Clothing. Although McPhee was no longer a young gun, he has no problem keeping up with younger comrades Pete Correa on drums and Eric Chipulina on bass. And even though his voice isn't at peak strength, it doesn't really matter, since he keeps the emphasis on the instrumental interplay, especially his guitar-playing (although the Wolf selections almost feel more like Hubert Sumlin covers). After prolonged applause from the audience, the gentlemen return to encore with Muddy Waters' "Down in the Bottom." Visually, this is a fairly straightforward gig, other than a few op-art slides that materialize behind the band on occasion (with slow motion and multiple-exposure effects added during post-production). Although McPhee chats between tracks, it isn't always possible to make out what he's saying—a problem that more audio sweetening of the Dolby Digital stereo mix might have fixed. A strong optional purchase. (K. Fennessy)