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Lloyd Thayer has carved a distinctive notch in the New England roots scene as a solo performer. He blends traditional blues resonator guitar — albeit played on his lap — with the wit, eclecticism, and freedom of contemporary improvisation. His personalized takes on Delta chestnuts and rechanneled rock and rap classics have made him a popular entertainer in venues like Club Passim, the Plough and Stars, and the subway. His third disc is billed as an all-blues affair but still boasts his usual range, zinging between a ringing variation on country blues giant Son House’s “Walking Blues” that veers into Middle Eastern melodicism and a free-form interpretation of the Sugar Hill Gang’s “The Message.” Only a mother gila monster could love Thayer’s gravel-and-mud voice, but it does project raw heart and experience with its rasp-and-howl tone — especially on the bitter, emotional protest number “Killing War.” Best of all, there’s nothing precious about Blues for Boston. Thayer understands that the blues is an old horse that must be driven hard to run its best.LLOYD THAYER | Club Passim, 47 Palmer Street, Cambridge | September 21 | 617.492.7679
