Campbell took to the studio like an old time bluesman, recording each song live and in their entirety. He also produced Two Sides of If (along with Tor Hyams), which includes Billy Gibbons of ZZ Top (who contributes guitar work on "Like it This Way" and the new song "Willin' for Satisfaction"), while Joan Osborne adds her soulful vocals on "Spoonful." Prodigious drummer Terry Bozzio also performs on all the tracks. "While researching songs for this record, I was led to look much deeper than I ever imagined I would have to," explains Campbell, "into the history of blues music itself, and into my own traits as a musician, too."

The album wouldn't be a true tribute without at least one homage to Robert Johnson, and Campbell selects two: "Come On In My Kitchen" and "32-30 Blues." But Vivian doesn't shy away from recognizing great contemporary blues compositions as well, like Fleetwood Mac's "Like It This Way" and "Willin' For Satisfaction," written by Gibbons just for this album. He also mixes in Willie Dixon's "I Ain't Superstitious" and "Spoonful" alongside Snooky Pryor's more recent "Good Or Bad Times."