In late August of 2002, was diagnosed with mesothelioma, a virulent and inoperable form of lung cancer; with his life expectancy expected to be no more than a few months, focused his dwindling energies on completing a final album, and , released a year after learned of his condition, was the result. With a back story like that, it's all but impossible to ignore the subtext of 's mortality while listening to , though, thankfully, he's opted not to make an album about illness or death (ironically, he already did that with 2000's ) or create a musical last will and testament. While occasionally and obliquely touches on 's illness -- most notably the mournful and the dirty raunch of -- in many ways it sounds like a fairly typical album, though of course this time out the caustic wit cuts a bit deeper, the screeds against a world gone mad sound more woeful, and the love songs suggest higher emotional stakes than before. also lays in a higher compliment of celebrity guest stars than usual, and while obviously a lot of these folks are old friends wanting to help a pal in need, in some cases the ringers help to carry the weight for , who, while in good voice, can't summon up the power he did in his salad days. And remarkably, the trick works on several cuts; 's rollicking guest vocal on offers just the kick the tune needed, 's laid-back smirk brings a sleazy undertow to and 's harmonies on are the perfect touch for the tune. In terms of material, isn't a great album, but it's a pretty good one; is a simple but affecting look at lost love, is a superior character piece about life behind bars, and prove the prospect of imminent death hasn't alleviated 's cynicism in the least. (It's hard to say if he's being sincere or darkly witty with his cover of though he manages to make it work both ways.) And the assembled musicians -- among them , , and -- serve up their best licks without taking the show away from , who, despite his obvious weakness, firmly commands the spotlight. feels less like a grand final statement of 's career than one last walk around the field, with the star nodding to his pals, offering a last look at what he does best, and quietly but firmly leaving listeners convinced that he exits the game with no shame and no regrets. Which, all in all, is a pretty good way to remember the guy. ~ Mark Deming