Clarence “Gatemouth” Brown: Back to Bogalusa

Clarence “Gatemouth” Brown is joined by a host of fellow Louisiana musicians on Back to Bogalusa (Blue Thumb 314 549 785-2; 54:51). Slide-guitar master Sonny Landreth flashes some slashing licks on “Folks Back Home,” “Going Back to Louisiana” and Lowell George’s “Dixie Chicken.” Cajun accordion ace Zachary Richard guests on “Breaux Bridge Rag” and “Louisian’,” on which Gate gets to flaunt his considerable fiddle chops. Bobby Charles’ “Why Are People Like That?” is a good natured N’awlins stroll, while “Dangerous Critter” provides Brown with some amusing down-home storytelling about his late-night encounter with an alligator on the bayou. Two instrumentals-a horn-driven, Tower of Power-flavored “Grape Jelly” and the funky, James Brown-ish “Slap It”-serve as a showcase for Gate’s signature chicken-picking and toe-curling blues licks.

Originally Published January 1, 2002