Peter Harper's enjoyed a prosperous career down under by blending his raw-boned blues rock with the didgeridoo, which imbued his music with an oddly haunted yet earthy air. His nimble baritone has a slick, self-possessed quality reminiscent of Robert Palmer. Though he's released more than a half-dozen albums in Australia, he's a relative latecomer to these shores, having released but a trio of discs for Blind Pig since 2005. He's neither a great player nor an arresting singer, but there's a casual warmth and ease to his modern blues that's quite inviting. Though he cites Muddy Waters as a big influence sonically, he's a lot closer to Robert Cray. —Chris Parker