John Popper really does sound like a soul singer and Blues Traveler really could be playing for Stax on the band’s cover of “Groove Me.”
The followup to “Fool for You” finds Popper tossing in effectual uhs and sock-it-to-mes as the band grinds out King Floyd’s well-known track in a way that pays proper respect but is still true to Blues Traveler’s mission, particularly when Popper lights into a harmonica solo that works in both camps.
The cut will appear on Traveler’s Soul, the group’s second consecutive covers album, due Oct. 20. If “Groove Me” isn’t the best track on the record, fans are in for a real treat.