Simply the Blues is an average collection of 18 tracks from both blues-rock and modern blues staples including the Rolling Stones, Johnny Winter, George Thorogood, Canned Heat, Robert Cray, and Kenny Wayne Shepherd along with performances that influenced them by Muddy Waters, Elmore James, Robert Johnson, B.B. King, T-Bone Walker, and Lightnin' Hopkins. No surprises here; just another decent blues primer for the novice. ~ Al Campbell, All Music Guide