Talk about an “old school” education.

Before heading out on his own in the mid-1990s, Chewy “Thunderfoot” Black was the drummer and musical director for nearly decade behind Buddy Ace, the “Silver Fox” of the blues. Prior to that, the versatile R&B artist had toured extensively with such icons of soul as Joe Tex, Johnny Adams, Tommy Ridgely, Earl King, and Malaco Records star, Z.Z. Hill.

But simply calling Chewy “old school” hardly begins to describe the finesse, grit, and deep feeling the versatile and accomplished vocalist, drummer, and bandleader brings to this hard-rocking and impassioned collection of inspired hit covers.

The selections range across the emotional spectrum, from Johnnie Taylor’s soulful “Who’s Making Love?” to Sam Cooke’s joyous “Bring It on Home to Me” to Kris Kristofferson’s tender “Help Me Make It Through the Night.”

And, making use of a select group of top New Orleans R&B musicians, Chewy has crafted some classic “old school” arrangements for this recording that highlight the hard-driving sound of a full-complement road band.

Check out, for example, the big-band drive of Chris Kenner’s classic “Sick and Tired,” with its horn section and smoking tenor solo by R&B master Jerry Jumonville. Or dig the electric guitar riffs that cascade over the opening verse of Dobie Gray’s Caribbean-laced “Drift Away.”

In the mood for some road-tested, get-down party music? Then check out Chewy “Thunderfoot” Black and his hard-driving vocal soulmanship.