My nominee for album of the week is Herb Ellis: Nothing But The Blues. This 1957 release is a straightahead, blues-oriented date featuring Roy Eldridge and Stan Getz (surprisingly at home, IMO)of a sort no longer available. Ellis was from southwestern Texas hill country and the "hillbilly", "country blues" show up throughout. Albums like this don't get made often-unpretentious, yet unpredictable, unhampered by egotistical flights of fancy. The date kicks off with Pap's Blues featuring Roy (reflecting Louis' influence on him), a smokey Getz chorus and the thematic statement by the leader.Roy comes roaring to life in Big Red's Boogie-Woogie, some hard-driving rhythm ' n blues from Ellis, superior work all around. Tin Roof Blues gets a graceful treatment from Ellis, Eldridge, Getz and rock solid support from Ray Brown and Stan Levey. You can almost hear the river sailing by in the night. Royal Garden Blues is a favorite of long standing, enlivened by the leader, a call and response between Herb & Roy, more assured solo work from Stan, a fiery solo from Roy. This album is more carefully crafted than a casual jam session and repays careful relistening. Much of Ellis' work falls into this category-Nothing But The Blues is my favorite from this neglected artisi's repertoire.