There's a point on Billy Price's new CD where you can practically see him down on one knee, Ray-Bans reflecting the spot, sweat beading his brow--just like those smoky nights when the Steel City soul man tore up the Kings Head.

"What Is Love (And What Makes You Think You Deserve Some)" is a classic soul ballad, but, truth is, every track on "Can I Change My Mind" brings the same reaction. And not just because Price squeezes each one for all it's worth. He spent two weeks in L.A. cutting the disc, working with a motherlode of sidemen whose resumes list Barry White, Little Milton, the Gap Band, Tower of Power, and Gladys Knight.

Orchestrating the troops was Portsmouth-born R&B great Jerry "Swamp Dogg" Williams. Back in the day, he'd carry his 45s to the old Birdland on Church Street to be sold. Today, the two-time Grammy nominee produces and writes for everyone from Travis Tritt to Kid Rock.

But Dogg saved the prime cuts for Price--eight tracks that run the gamut, from the rowdy "Crack, Crack (When Are You Coming Back)" to the Motownish "Mine All Mine All Mine" and "I Know It's Your Party," which might bump "Eldorado Cafe" off Price's set list.