Clarence Brown - American Music Texas Style (1999)

Tracklist

01. Rock My Blues Away
02. Half Steppin'
03. Hootie Blues
04. Front Burner
05. I'm Beginning To See The Light
06. Swamp Ghost
07. Without Me Baby
08. Gate Swings Again
09. Strange Things Happening
10. Don't Get Around Much Anymore
11. Guitar In My Hand
12. Jumpin' The Blues
13. Things Ain't What They Used To Be

Clarence "Gatemouth" Brown was 74 when he recorded American Music, Texas Style, and the Texas bluesman made it clear that he still had plenty of energy. On this CD, Brown really emphasizes his love of jazz. Young hard bop players like trumpeter Nicholas Payton and alto saxman Wes Anderson are on board, and the veteran singer/guitarist offers no less than three standards from Duke Ellington's repertoire ("I'm Beginning to See the Light," "Don't Get Around Much Anymore," and son Mercer Ellington's "Things Ain't What They Used to Be") and two classics from Charlie Parker's years with Jay McShann ("Hootie Blues," "Jumpin' the Blues"). Meanwhile, the jazz influence is hard to miss on such fast jump blues as "Rock My Blues Away" and "Without Me Baby." Brown's voice is thinner than it used to be, but his guitar playing is as energetic as ever. While this CD isn't definitive, it's a good, solid effort that Brown can be proud of.

DOWNLOAD ALBUM [flac]