Lonnie Brooks/Long John Hunter/Phillip Walker: Lone Star Shootout

It’s a big-time guitar party when Gulf Coast veterans Lonnie Brooks, Long John Hunter & Phillip Walker get together for a Lone Star Shootout (Alligator 4866; 63:39). The fare is mainly ‘up’ here-swamp rockers like Brooks’ “Roll, Roll, Roll” and Cornelius Green’s “You’re Playing Hooky,” rollicking jump blues workouts like Gatemouth’s classic “Boogie Rambler,” grooving shuffles like B.B. King’s “Quit My Baby” and Clarence Garlow’s infectious party anthem “Bon Ton Roulet.” Long John Hunter stakes his claim on the slow blues “Alligators Around My Door,” then engages in a spirited guitar battle with Walker on the T-Bone Walker-style shuffle, “Street Walking Woman.” Special guest guitarist Ervin Charles, a lesser known Gulf Coast colleague, gets his chance to shine on the mournful slow blues “Born in Louisiana” and on the Muddy Waters classic “Two Trains Running.” Kaz Kazanoff and company add their usual punch on horns while pianist Marcia Ball lends an authentic N’awlins feel on the Eskew Reeder (Esquerita) R&B number “I Can’t Stand It No More.” A wholly satisfying summit meeting.

Originally Published October 1, 1999