To celebrate bluesman Chris Smither’s 70th birthday, Signature Sounds label owner Jim Olsen produced this star-studded collection of artists covering songs from throughout Smither’s deep catalog. Bonnie Raitt provides a live version of “Love Me Like a Man,” a song she covered in the early ‘70s. Loudon Wainwright III, who recently recorded with Smither, handles the witty “Place in Line,” while Peter Case brings the right pathos to “Caveman.” Smither is a musician’s musician, meaning most performers aim for the heart of the song and rarely attempt his exquisite fingerpicking. Dave Alvin and Jorma Kaukonen are the obvious exceptions.