Yank Rachell, "Blues Mandolin Man"

In a nutshell: James “Yank” Rachell, a storied bluesman who lived in Indianapolis from 1956 until his death in 1997, leads an informal recording session at bygone TRC Studios. First released in 1986, “Blues Mandolin Man” was reissued by San Francisco-based Blind Pig Records in March.

Fan finder: In addition to being a pioneer of rural blues (dating to a 1929 recording of “Diving Duck Blues” with Sleepy John Estes), Rachell essentially cornered the market on mandolin-based blues. Fans of the Rev. Peyton’s Big Damn Band may want to check out Rachell as an original practitioner of down-home sounds.

That’s a keeper: “She Changed the Lock” showcases the mandolin as a rival to idol-making electric guitars. In Rachell’s hands, the mandolin was a masculine transmitter of piercing tones and speedy riffs. Lyrically, “Lock” finds a jilted Rachell on the outside looking in.

Didn’t see it coming: Electric bass guitar frequently sounds jarring and obtrusive on “Blues Mandolin Man.” The instrument’s player — Sheena Rachell, Yank’s granddaughter — does find a complementary groove on “Black Snake” and an instrumental titled “Bugle Call.”

Selling points: Rachell, in his mid-70s when this album was made, is a spirited and good-natured conductor of “Bugle Call,” which rotates solos among mandolin, guitar, drums and bass. On “Make My Love Come Down,” he flexes Don Juan charm: “I want to be your good man, baby, once I’m in your lonesome town.”

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