Peter Wolf

Updated June 26, 2020 | Infoplease Staff

Sleepless

• Artemis

There aren't many singers who could land both Mick Jagger and Keith Richards as musical guests on their album, but then again, Peter Wolf isn't your fun-of-the-mill rocker.

Since going off on his own, the former J. Geils Band frontman has released several fine, though largely unnoticed solo albums. Perhaps having The Glimmer Twins on board for this latest set will help him receive some overdue recognition. Jagger and Wolf turn in a marvelous country-tinged duet on “Nothing but the Wheel ”—which should be a must-have for Rolling Stones' collectors—while Richards adds harmonies and a distinctive guitar solo to Wolf's playful remake of Sonny Boy Williamson's “Too Close Together.” The latter cut also features Wolf's old J. Geils Band mate Magic Dick on harmonica.

A reworking of “Homework,” which appeared on the first Geils album is far less essential but it's one of the few missteps on this mostly enjoyable offering. Other guests include Steve Earle, who adds his earthy vocals to “Some Things You Don't Want To Know.”