As two Texas music veterans who'd made a few albums together in the early '70s, it was just a matter of time before Delbert McClinton and Glen Clark made their next move. There were conversations for 10 years. Now, however, the time has never been better for roots-rock, blues, and country-based musicians to give it a whirl; studios are sympathetic to live bands and their rough-hewn performances. Here, McClinton and Clark display voices that are worn in and out like the crevices of Mount Rushmore, and songs such as "Whoever Said It Was Easy," "Oughta Know," "More and More, Less and Less," and "If I Could Be Your Lover" sound as convincing as anything each man recorded in his so-called prime. This is a type of music often imitated by hopefuls, but McClinton and Clark are the real deal. They've got the experience to bring hard-won truths to everything they sing and play. "Too much temptation and not enough restraint" may sound like a regret, but it's the perfect way to explain how musicians transcend from good to great.