*** BLUES BROTHERS 2000

(Universal)

Don't know about you, but I'm sick of that fat, funny-looking guy trying to pass himself off as a bluesman. But enough about Blues Traveler's John Popper, who provides this disc's longest, dullest track. The rest is an enjoyable mix of funny faux blues, by Dan Aykroyd and company, with a few shots of the real stuff. Dr. John does a gritty funkification of Donovan's "Season of the Witch," a song so far up his alley it's surprising he's never done it before. Aretha Franklin still sounds vital on her umpteenth remake of "Respect." And the two tracks credited to the Louisiana Gator Boys -- a supergroup fronted by B.B. King and including celebrity guests Eric Clapton, Steve Winwood, Koko Taylor, Bo Diddley, and nearly two dozen others -- are a blast. Aykroyd's singing hasn't improved much since the first film, and he should have known better than to trade harmonica licks with the late Junior Wells. But he and new Brother John Goodman are smart enough to stick with lighter material like "Funky Nassau," which isn't much sillier than the Beginning of the End's original. And Aykroyd's enough of a fan to let the real R&B veterans steal the show.

-- Brett Milano