“Green and Blue,” the wonderful new album from singer/songwriter and master guitarist Michael O'Connor, captures many sides of this remarkable performer.

His cover of the Willie Dixon classic, "The Same Thing," sets the stage for his own great blues tunes and his blues-edged rock numbers which have more backbone than any new release I can think of. Possessor of one of the finest blues voices around, Michael hammers his way to the emotional dead center of the classic blues vocal. And as if that weren't enough he uses that same raspy voice to break your heart with his love songs, one of which, “Green and Blue," the title song, is as sweet as a love song can get.

One of the many surprise treats this CD has to offer is the blues harmony jam on “That Ain't Right” with Michael backed up by Rocky Benton and the incredible Mike Cross, one of the greatest voices anywhere. It's just too good.

But if the blues don't do it for you, just sit tight. The man's folk tunes are even better. Surprise treats? How about Terri Hendrix doing background vocals on "Slips Through Your Fingers?" You get it, right? This is a very rare and special musical creation from a master of his craft helped out by his friends, all masters in their own right.

The current Austin A Team is here in force. Jeff Plankenhom plays dobro, lap steel, mandolin and guitar. Eamon McLoughlin is on violin. Glenn Fukunaga is on bass and Paul Pearcy is on drums and percussion. The album is produced by Ray Wylie Hubbard, recorded at the Fire Station Studio in San Marcos and engineered by Bobby Arnold. It's on Bare Knuckle Recordings.