American Music, Texas Style (CD - 1999)

Personnel: Clarence "Gatemouth" Brown (vocals, guitar, fiddle); Kaye Dorian (vocals); Raymond Moore, Wes Anderson, Eric Demmer (alto saxophone); Anthony Dagradi, Eric Traub (tenor saxophone); Anthony T. Frigo (baritone saxophone); Nicholas Payton, Bernard Floyd, Robert Campo (trumpet); Steve Suter, Peter McEachern, Jerry Verges, Jr., John H. Touchy (trombone); Joseph Krown (keyboards); Harold Floyd (bass); David S. Peters (drums).

Producers: Clarence "Gatemouth" Brown, Jim Bateman.

Recorded at Ultrasonic Recording Studios, New Orleans, Louisiana from January 4-6, 1999.

Personnel: Clarence "Gatemouth" Brown (vocals, guitar, fiddle, viola); Kaye Dorian, Gene Gunulfsen (vocals); Eric Demmer, Ray Moore, Wessell Anderson (alto saxophone); Tony Dagradi, Eric Traub (tenor saxophone); Tony Frigo (baritone saxophone); Barney Floyd, Nicholas Payton, Bobby Campo (trumpet); Peter McEachern, John Touchy, Steve Suter (trombone); Joe Krown (piano, organ, keyboards); David Peters (drums).

Audio Mixers: Gene Foster; Jay Newland.

Recording information: Ultrasonic Recording Studios, New Orleans, LA (01/04/1999-01/06/1999).

Photographer: Allen Clark.

Arranger: Wardell Quezergue.

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. ~ Alex Henderson

AMERICAN MUSIC delivers 13 tracks in the big band, horn-dominated context Clarence "Gatemouth" Brown fans have come to love. The sound here, as orchestrated by Wardell Quezergue, is polished, airtight, and, at times, positively overwhelming. Brown's guitar (characterized here by a subtler, jazzier feel than the slashing attack of his youth) and violin playing are showcased in the opener, "Rock My Blues Away." The pace quickens with wildly swinging cuts such as "Half Steppin'" and the Jay McShann/Charlie Parker number "Jumpin' The Blues," then slows with the steamy, languid blues of Percy Mayfield's "Strange Things Happen."

Age has given Brown's singing a weathered texture that makes up in character what it lacks in agility, but his deft instrumental chops, as evidenced by the album's three Duke Ellington covers, are dazzling as ever. This is yet another superior set from one of America's musical treasures. minimize