This right here? Very possibly the ultimate Guy Forsyth album, for all sorts of reasons. The bands cook, the title tries to embody the sound and he even offers one of the best benedictions ever recorded for the live music experience: "As we gather one more time, going out at night, in the dark, to this strange, not quite clean room to be shoulder to shoulder with strangers, so we can worship the mystery." Perfect.

The first disc captures a monster set recorded last year at Antone's. This is Forsyth as gutbucker blues-rocker with the gritty voice. The opening rocker "Calico Girl" features beautiful exchanges between organist Mark Addison and Colin Brooks' guitar. The hard soul croon of "Take Advantage of You" is actually a political tune ("America, your love is true/but you let him take advantage of you"). It's a weird sentiment for this kind of song, but it's the sort of thing that makes Forsyth fun and not just another pretty voice.

Disc two, recorded at various locations over the past three years, nearly ups the ante. After another benediction ("Many things are remaining a do-it-yourself situation," Forsyth yells over a wicked groove. "First and foremost, democracy"), the band tears into one of the grittiest takes on New Orleans R&B legends Dave Bartholomew and Pearl King's "The Monkey Speaks His Mind" ever waxed. Addison is again the MVP, peeling off what has to be one of the noisiest solos in Saxon Pub history.

Forsyth's skills as a bandleader, singer, harmonica player and entertainer remind you exactly why live music rules in Austin. Forsyth plays Friday at Antone's. — Joe Gross