Boogie Rambler: Blues Essentials

Although Clarence "Gatemouth" Brown was marketed as an electric Texas bluesman during his career, he was so much more than that, capable of shredding the electric guitar, yes, but he also played mandolin, drums, bass, harmonica, and fiddle, and his live shows in particular were full of all kinds of stylistic left turns, making him closer in substance to a modern songster than a gun-slinging guitar player. This 12-track set may not have the absolute best of Brown, but it has enough, including the wonderful instrumental "Okie Dokie Stomp" that opens things here, to provide an introductory measure of this unique musician. ~ Steve Leggett