"He is as fierce as ever on acoustic and electric guitars and mandolin. The harmonica aces join Johnson, each without amplification, giving this album a deep, down-home vibe. As the album title implies, this record goes way back to the nitty-gritty blues roots. The album is stark and unabashedly austere. It's the real true blues, removing all the unnecessary production adornments, ensuring that the emotional intensity remains intact".