Travis Haddix

After the late, great Robert Lockwood Jr., the Cleveland bluesman known best around the planet is Travis Haddix. The singer and guitarist has been touring Europe regularly since 1992. Long before globe-trotting, however, Haddix was a mainstay of North Coast blues venues.

Every ounce of the man's old-school tutelage is in evidence on Mean Ole Yesterday, the 10th release on Wann-Sonn, Haddix's label: His pipes and chops are solid, his backup band is sharp, and he hasn't lost a step when it comes to a blues-savvy lyric. "Dick for Dinner," which is supposed to be a double entendre, is the sort of "jukebox" classic that would earn its fair share of dollar bills at the corner lounge, back in the bad ole days of Millie Jackson and Clarence Carter. Mr. Haddix is one of a vanishing breed, and it's great knowing he's one of our own.