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Master bluesman Maynard Silva. File photo by Ralph Stewart

A Maynard Silva album is like a well-cooked hamburger; there's nothing fancy, pretentious, or gourmet about it, but it has a satisfying way of hitting the spot. On “Blues Verité,” Silva performs a solo set of 14 songs, accompanied by a single acoustic guitar. His songs tread the fragile line between redemption and perdition as he growls and croons baby-come-hither solicitations and tales of love gone sour. The album, recorded at Audiolutions and co-produced by Mr. Silva and recording engineer Elisha Wiesner, offers a spare, simple, unadorned sound that suggests a casual evening by the fire at the local watering hole.

This casual, unforced sonic atmosphere is evident in the first track, “Too Much,” as Mr. Silva sings, “I was dreaming about fire, baby, you whispered gasoline.” On “Cold Water Blues,” plangent plucked notes and shuffling chord strums mesh with Mr. Silva's languid, moaning vocals. His dry, whimsical lyrics are on display on “At It Again,” as his vocals growl and bite the words “Lost in my own hometown, mirrors laugh at me when I walk by.” Mr. Silva's understated but bedrock-solid guitar playing is highlighted on the tracks “Frederick's Of Hollywood” and “Lightin' Rod.” On the former, a playful chord shuffle skitters over the vocal refrain, “It all comes around,” while on the latter a plucked, lightly-buzzing string becomes the centerpiece of the song as Mr. Silva sings, “I'm your lightning rod, baby.” Mr. Silva's distinctive voice comes to the forefront on “Look Me In The Eye,” as he alternates between a ragged growl and smooth drawl, singing, “I can see right through you and your fancy shoes.” His voice suggests someone who's gotten his act together yet still recalls the taste of whiskey.

In the hands of another artist, the title “Blues Verité” might seem like a reach, but with Mr. Silva's pedigree as a blues journeyman, the shoe fits. With his latest disc, Mr. Silva continues to prove that in the domain of blues music he remains the real thing.

Julian Wise is a frequent contributor to The Times, specializing in music, film, and the performing arts.