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BLUES & GOSPEL

Bessie Brown -> Walter Brown

 

BESSIE BROWN/ LIZA BROWN Document DOCD 5456 The Original Bessie Brown, 1925-1929 ● CD $15.98
Features the complete recorded works, 1925-1929 by Bessie Brown and the remaining titles of Liza Brown from 1929. Accompaniments by Clarence Williams, Benny Moten, Charlie Green, Fletcher henderson, Coleman Hawkins, Buster Bailey and others.
 
BUSTER BROWN Relic 7064 Raise A Ruckus Tonight!!! ● CD $13.98
The best collection of this bluesman's Fire & Gwen recordings. Sharp harp, wild guitar from Jimmy Spruill and Riff Ruffin and fine Bobby Robinson production. 7 tracks are in stereo including his big hit Fannie Mae and the set includes one unissued song (No More) and a few alternate takes and false starts - 21 tracks in all.
BUSTER BROWN: Blueberry Hill/ Blues When It Rains/ Doctor Brown/ Don't Dog Your Woman/ Fannie Mae/ Fannie Mae/ Gonna Love My Baby/ Good News/ Im Goin', But I'll Be Back/ Is You Is Or Is You Aint My Baby?/ John Henry/ Lost In A Dream/ No More/ Raise A Ruckus Tonight/ Raise A Ruckus Tonight/ Sincerely/ St Louis Blues/ Sugar Babe/ The Madison Shuffle/ When Things Go Wrong (it Hurts Me Too)

 
CHARLES BROWN Ace CDCHD 589 Drifting & Dreaming ● CD $18.98
21 tracks, 62 min., essential
Having already seen discs featuring his Aladdin tracks and a major slice of his Swingtime material, fans can now purchase a digital program of Brown's mid-40's numbers recorded with Johnny Moore's Three Blazers and originally issued by Modern Records. Program highlights include Travelin' Blues, It's the Talk of the Town, How Deep Is the Ocean, Warsaw Concerto (Parts 1 and 2), Make Believe Land, It Had to Be You, Sail On Blues, and When Your Lover Has Gone. Mellow music to be sure, suitable for both pursuing a lover and/or mourning her/his loss, produced with Ace's normal high standards. And do check out those great neckties on the necks of all three Blazers in the cover photo. I want one. (DH)
CHARLES BROWN: Blue Because Of You/ Copyright On Your Love/ How Deep Is The Ocean?/ I'll Get Along Somehow/ If You Ever Should Leave/ It Had To Be You/ It's The Talk Of The Town/ Make Believe Land/ More Than You Know/ Nutmeg/ Sail On Blues/ So Long/ Travelin' Blues/ Warsaw Concerto (Part 1)/ Warsaw Concerto (Part 2)/ What Do You Know About Love?/ When Your Lover Has Gone/ You Are My First Love/ You Left Me Forsaken/ You Showed Me The Way/ You Won't Let Me Go

 
CHARLES BROWN Alligator 4771 One More For The Road ● CD $15.98
Reissue of highly regarded album originally issued on the now defunct Blueside label. 11 tunes, most cut with a trio of Brown(p,vcl), Billy Butler(g) & Earl May(b), capturing the feel of The 3 Blazers, with appearances by Harold Ousley (ts) & Kenny Washington (d). A wide variety of material given the late-night Brown treatment, from pop - One For My Baby/ Cottage For Sale , Country - He's Got You/ Who Will The Next Fool Be & R&B - Route 66/ I Miss You So/ Travellin' Blues . (GM)

 
CHARLES BROWN Bullseye Blues 9501 All My Life $15.98 ● CD $8.98
Some 45 years after his first recordings Charles Brown was still going strong in 1990 when this album was released. His voice is deeper and huskier than it was then but is still as smooth as silk and his piano playing is as good as ever and he continues to purvey that mellow sound that he pioneered and was a big influence on hundreds of performers. On this selection of old hits and newer songs he is accompanied by a tasteful and sympathetic group including veteran sax man Clifford Solomon, guitarist Danny Caron, Earl May on bass and Keith Copeland on drums. Occasional guest musicians sit in Dr John, Ruth Brown, Heywood Henry and the album's producer Ron Levy. A first rate effort all round. (FS)
 
CHARLES BROWN Bullseye Blues 9514 Someone To Love ● CD $15.98 ● CD $8.98
These 1992 recordings are knock-down-drag-out good stuff. The accompanying musicians - including Danny Caron, Tommie McKenzie, Clifford Solomon, and Bobby Forte - are first rate, as is Brown's stunning piano work, which often leads the way. Tracks include the title tune, I Wonder How She Knows, Not So Far, Be Sharp You'll See, and I Don't Want to Get Adjusted. For 45 minutes of mellow and funky blues, this disc is hard to beat. Hats off to Bullseye Blues for their sympathetic production. And may I be as "in tune" in my late 60's as Brown is. It is hard to believe that a lot of his best known music was recorded over 40 years ago. He sure sounds good now. Anyway, great sound, session notes by Ron Levy, and a knockout cover picture of Brown is a silver sequined coat and cap. (DH)

 
CHARLES BROWN Bullseye Blues 9521 Just A Lucky So And So ● CD $15.98
10 tracks, 50 min., recommended A national treasure by now, emeritus bluesman Charles Brown, on this, his third, full length Bulleseye disc, displays his awesome talent in a variety of musical settings. There are the expected late night piano solos, but we also get small combo numbers featuring the sax of Clifford Solomon and the guitar of Danny Caron, and big band and string section arrangements, with the musical texture sometimes varying considerably within individual numbers. Highlights include extended versions of Black Night and Driftin' Blues, plus I Won't Cry Anymore, the title track, and the delightful Song for Christmas. Sound, graphics, and notes are all up to snuff. Get it while you can; this is not one to miss. (DH)

 
CHARLES BROWN Bullseye Blues 9551 In A Grand Style ● CD $15.98 ● CD $9.98
Previously unissued sides recorded at various Bullseye Blues sessions by Brown in the early 90s. An after hours set featuring Charles alone with his piano on a selection of ballads and blues. Includes One Never Knows, Does One/ Black Night/ Give Me A Woman/ Charles' Chopin Liszt/ Stumbled And Fell In Love, etc.
 
CHARLES BROWN Bullseye Blues 9561 Cool Christmas Blues ● CD $15.98
The smoothest bluesy Christmas - with Clifford Solomon, Johnny Otis, Bobby Forte & others.
CHARLES BROWN: A Song For Christmas/ Blue Holiday/ Bringing In A Brand New Year/ Christmas Comes But Once A Year/ Christmas In Heaven/ Merry Christmas Baby/ Please Come Home For Christmas/ Santa's Blues/ Silent Night/ Stay With Me/ To Someone That I Love

 
CHARLES BROWN Classics 894 1944-45 ● CD $14.98
First in a series of discs to reissue all of Charles's early recordings in chronological order. This first disc features 22 tracks recorded in 1944 and 1945 for several different labels and includes the first recordings of his first big hit Drifting Blues. A couple of tracks features vocals by Frankie Laine or Johnny McNeill.
CHARLES BROWN: Baby Don't You Cry/ Be Sharp, You'll See/ Blazer's Boogie/ C.O.D./ Drifting Blues/ End O' War Blues/ Fugue In C Major/ Googie's Boogie/ Groovy/ Hard Tack/ I Want You - I Need You/ Johnny's Boogie/ Lost In The Night/ Maureen/ Melancholy Madeline/ My Silent Love/ Nightfall/ No Greater Love/ Pasadena/ Tell Me You'll Wait For Me/ Tonight I'm Alone/ Your Taught Me To Love

 
CHARLES BROWN Classics 1088 1946-1947 ● CD $14.98
CHARLES BROWN: It's Over/ Be Fair With Me/ Better Watch What You Do/ Bobby Sox Blues/ Changeable Woman Blues/ Don't Get Salty Sugar/ Falling In Love With You/ Gloria/ Huggin' Bug/ I Cried For You/ I Love To Make Love To You/ I Surrender, Dear/ I Wouldn't Mind/ I'm Looking For Love/ Juke Box Lil/ Merry Christmas Baby/ Moonrises/ New Orleans Blues/ Now That You're Gone/ Peek-A-Boo/ St. Louis Blues/ Sunny Road/ Way Over There By The Cherry Tree/ Why Is Love Like That?

 
CHARLES BROWN Classics 1147 1947-1948 ● CD $14.98
CHARLES BROWN: Any Old Place With Me/ B & O Blues/ Cold In Here/ Free Lancin' Again/ Friendless Blues/ Groovy Movie Blues/ I Hate Myself/ I'll Miss You/ I'm So Happy I Could Cry/ If I Had You/ If You Don't Why Don't Ya/ Jilted Blues/ Lonesome Blues/ Love Me Tonight/ Money's Getting Cheaper/ Scratch Sheet/ Snuff Dippin' Mama/ So There/ Soothe Me/ Teresa/ Tomorrow/ Walkin' In Circles/ Where Can I Find My Baby/ You Better Change Your Way Of Lovin'

 
CHARLES BROWN Classics 1272 1949-1951 ● CD $14.98
CHARLES BROWN: Again/ All My Life/ Be Still My Heart/ Black Night/ Did You Ever Love A Woman/ Don't Fool With My Heart/ Forgive Me/ Gee!/ I'll Always Be In Love With You/ I've Got That Old Feeling/ I've Made Up My Mind/ It's Rainin'/ Let's Have A Ball/ Moonrise/ My Baby's Gone/ Once There Lived A Fool/ One Never Knows, Does One?/ Repentance Blues/ Seven Long Days/ Take Me/ Texas Blues/ The Message/ Without The One You Love

 
CHARLES BROWN Collectables 2891 The Very Best Of Charles Brown ● CD $15.98
25 tracks, 69 mins, highly recommended
Very nice! There've been a lot of Charles Brown CDs out drawn from his lengthy career but this is the first CD devoted exclusively to his King recordings which he made for Syd Nathan between 1961 and 1968 - many of them appearing in true stereo for the first time. This is almost all his King recordings with the exception of some of his Christmas songs (he recorded a whole LPs worth) which will not be geatly missed and are available on a King Christmas CD. It opens with his 1961 recording of Please Come For Christmas and ends with 1968 remakes of two of his classic Aladdin sides Black Night and Merry Christmas. Material and arrangements are varied ranging from straight blues to jumping R&B to doo-wop songs to a few pop flavored to an R&B cover of the bluegrass song I Don't Want Your Rambling Letter. There are a couple of fine duets with Amos Milburn, a superb cover of Rosie & The Originals' Angel Baby, the very soulful Christmas Blues and more. Throughout Charles smooth and silky vocals are a joy - groups range from small to largish with the occasional vocal chorus rearing it's ugly head. Nobody seems to know who the musicians are on these sessions which is a shame as there is some fine guitar and tenor playing on some of the tracks. A fine addition to your collection of Charles Brown recordings! (FS)

 
CHARLES BROWN Collectables 5631 Driftin' Blues - The Best Of Charles Brown ● CD $13.98
Another EMI reissue now available from Collectables featuring a great selection of his Aladdin recordings..
 
CHARLES BROWN JSP JSPCD 7707 The Classic Early Recordings ● CD $28.98
Five CD set featuring 120 of the early recordings of this great West Coast bluesman.
 
CHARLES BROWN King 775 Sings Christmas Songs ● CD $7.98
12 Christmas favorites recorded in 1961 including Please Come Home For Christmas/ Christmas In Heaven/ Christmas Comes But Once A Year/ Let's Make Every Day A Christmas Day/ Christmas Blues/ My Most Miserable Christmas, etc.
 
CHARLES BROWN Night Train 7017 Snuff Dippin' Mama ● CD $15.98
19 tracks, 53 min., essential
This is the first of two promised discs from Night Train to feature the early Exclusive/Swingtime recordings of the man who, along with Nat King Cole, launched the mellow blues sound. As the vocalist and piano man of Johnny Moore's Three Blazers, Brown created a brand of supper club blues that has influenced many a successor, not the least of whom is Ray Charles. The stellar numbers on this first disc, laid down between 1946 and 1949, include the title track, plus I Miss You, Now That You're Gone, Sunny Road, B-Sharp You'll See, Googie's Boogie, Changeable Woman Blues, Juke Box Lil, and Moonrise. The liner notes by Richie Benway are solid, the sound, clearly dubbed from discs, varies a bit but is always acceptable, and cover graphics are better than usual for this series. Much too good to miss. (DH)

 
CHARLES BROWN Night Train 7024 Walkin' In Circles ● CD $15.98

 
CHARLES BROWN Rounder 2074 A Life In Blues ● CD $24.98
CD/ DVD combination. The CD features a live concert at The Lone Star Roadhouse with Charles accompanied by a trio including regular guitarist Danny Caron on 10 songs including I Stepped In Quicksand/ I Cried Last Night/ Seven Long Days/ When The Sun Comes Out/ Please Come Home For Christmas, etc. The DVD features a video of the concert plus two short films made in 1944 for Soundies by Johnny Moore's Three Blazers when Charles was 22 years old. It also includes video interviews, a photo gallery including many previously unpublished and a complete career discography.

 
CHARLES BROWN Savoy Jazz 17295 Blues And Other Love Songs ● CD $11.98
10 tracks, highly recommended
Originally issued on Muse this is a fine 1992 set from the master of laid back blues, 10 songs of heartache and sentimental emotion. With the able backing of Houston Person, Ruth Davies, Danny Caron, and Gaylord Birch, Mr. Brown uses his piano and his beautifully weary voice to weave a jazz-tinged tapestry of gritty lament. Titles include Do You Want Me?/Who's Beating My Time/ What a Life/ You Are My First Love and a near ten minute instrumental rendition of Mint Julep, known as One Mint Julep when the Clovers cut it as a vocal in 1952. Luscious stereo sound, solid notes, the artist on the cover in a stylish beret, and great music from start to finish. (DH)
 
CHARLES BROWN Savoy Jazz 17326 Alone At The Piano ● CD $11.98
13 tracks, 40 minutes, excellent
Recorded between 1989 and 1995, this superb CD displays Charles Brown alone at the piano delivering a set of music with great feel. Sonics are incredibly good and you get the impression that the piano wizard is in your listening room playing solely for your enjoyment. Moonrise/ Gloria/ I'll Miss You/ Is You Is Or Is You Ain't/ I Got It Bad (And That Ain't Good) and Cottage For Sale are delicious, and Brown offers up a classic blues in the form of Black Nite that sizzles while remaining low-key. His voice was always a pleasure and it's no different here. The only complaint is the relatively short playing time, but Brown revives some old gems for a real treat. (CR)

 
CHARLES BROWN Stardust 881 The Very Best Of Charles Brown ● CD $15.98
14 tracks, 42 mins, recommended
The first 12 tracks on this CD reissues the album produced by Johnny Otis for his Blues Spectrum label in 1974. Charles is in fine form with his distinctive vocals and thoughtful piano work with Shuggie Otis providing some very tasty guitar licks as well as bass and Johnny on drums, vibes and occasional piano. The songs include a few of Charles's old standbys like Driftin' Blues and Black night along with songs by Ray Charles, Leonard Feather and some composed for the session by Otis & Brown. The last two "bonus" songs Let's Make Every Day A Christmas and I'll Be Home For Christmas are obviously from a different session though I would guess from around the same time. They both have pleasing vocals by Charles though the latter song is marred by some horrible electronic guitar sounds. (FS)

 
CLARENCE 'GATEMOUTH' BROWN Aim 1304 Okie Dokie ● CD $13.98
13 tracks, 38 mins, recommended
Previously available on P-Vine 2109 with an alternate take of The Grass Is Always Greener. An interesting collection of 13 tracks recorded by this multi-talented musician in the 60s. A few were issued on local Texas labels but most were not issued before the P-Vine release. Accompanied by a couple of different bands Gate turns in an eclectic mixture of blues, jazz and country featuring him on vocals, guitar, fiddle and harmonica. About half the tracks are instrumental and includes a Latin blues flavored version of When My Blue Moon Turns To Gold Again on fiddle (!), hot R&B (I Want You For My Girlfriend) and a jazzy version of Milkcow Blues). The vocal performances are equally eclectic. Nothing spectacular here but an enjoyable selection from an extremely talented performer. (FS)
 
CLARENCE 'GATEMOUTH' BROWN Alligator 4745 Pressure Cooker ● CD $15.98
An enjoyable selection of tracks drawn from the five LPs `Gate' recorded in France for the Black & Blue label in the 70s. These jazzy blues cuts usually fine him in a trio or quartet format accompanied by organ player Milt Buckner or piano player Jay McShann with the occasional assistance of the great Texas tenor sax player Arnett Cobb. The material includes new recordings of some of his old Peacock classics, new songs and a couple of tracks from his tribute album to Louis Jordan. Fine singing and lots of splendid Texas blues guitar by `Gate' plus solid accompaniment by the band. (FS)
 
CLARENCE 'GATEMOUTH' BROWN Alligator 4779 Standing My Ground ● CD $12.98
This one was recorded in New Orleans using some of the city's top musicians, and as one might suspect, it sounds great. His guitar playing is as eloquent and inventive as ever, while still retaining that raw Texas blues sting, as he moves from style to style with a veteran's ease. Some tunes are self-explanatory, such as Cool Jazz and Louisiana Zydeco (featuring Terence Simien on accordion). Gate also plays fiddle, piano and even drums on some cuts, while the nice punchy horn arrangements shine throughout. (LP)
CLARENCE 'GATEMOUTH' BROWN: Born In Louisiana/ Cool Jazz/ Got My Mojo Working/ I Hate These Doggone Blues/ Leftover Blues/ Louisiana Zydeco/ Never Unpack Your Suitcase/ She Walks Right In/ What Am I Living For

 
CLARENCE 'GATEMOUTH' BROWN Alligator 4804 No Looking Back ● CD $12.98
On his third release for Alligator, the ever-talented Texas guitarist/ fiddler/ singer Brown manages to meld his usual musical eclecticism into a bright, cohesive album. Some of his best stuff here - Better Off With the Blues/ Straighten Up - is on the bluesy side, but some isn't. Ellington's C-Jam Blues is an adrenalin-filled instrumental to be reckoned with, and Digging New Ground swings nicely. About half the songs were written by Brown, three by associate producer John D. Loudermilk, whose simple-minded lyric (ala Nancy Reagan) on the anti-drug Dope is one of the few missteps here. The album boasts some fine piano from Michael Holmes, nice horn charts from trumpeter Terry Townson, a barking dog, and a duet with Michelle Shocked on the ballad I Will Be Your Friend. Oh, and Gate too! (JC)
CLARENCE 'GATEMOUTH' BROWN: Alligator Eating Dog/ Better Off With The Blues/ C-Jam Blues/ Digging New Ground/ Dope/ I Will Be Your Friend/ My Own Prison/ Stop Time/ Straighten Up/ The Peeper/ We're Outta Here

 
CLARENCE 'GATEMOUTH' BROWN Blues Collection 160202 His First Recordings, 1947-1951 ● CD $11.98
24 tracks, 72 mins, highly recommended
Terrific collection featuring almost all the recordings from the first four years of the recording career of this brilliant and influential singer and guitarist from Texas. Although in later years Gate disliked being pigeon holed as a bluesman these recordings are Texas blues at his finest. His first session in August 1947 is straight ahead T-Bone, both vocally and instrumental, but by his next session a year later his own style began to emerge with a more intense vocal and guitar style with a more down home quality to it - his playing was to influence any number of guitar players. There are some terrific songs like My Time Is Expensive/ Boogie Rambler/ Justice Blues, the much copied She Walks Right In, his tribute to a local brand of beer Pale Dry Boogie and more. The tracks from this period not included here are either unissued or so rare they were not available to the compilers of this album. Sound quality is generally excellent and there are brief notes by Jean Buzelin. A fine and important release. (FS)

 
CLARENCE 'GATEMOUTH' BROWN Bullseye Blues 9622 Okie Dokie Stomp ● CD $11.98
Collection of 12 tracks drawn from Gates' two Rounder studio albums along with live tracks from his "Real Life" set plus the previously unissued recorded of his signature song The Drifter - a 10 minute tor-de-force on which gate plays harmonica as well as guitar. Includes Stranded/ I Feel Alright Again/ Sometimes I Slip/ Real Life/ Information Blues/ Dollar Got The Blues, etc.

 
CLARENCE 'GATEMOUTH' BROWN Classics 5030 1947-1951 ● CD $14.98
CLARENCE 'GATEMOUTH' BROWN: 2 O'Clock In The Morning/ After Sunset/ Atomic Energy/ Boogie Rambler/ Didn't Reach My Goal/ Gatemouth Boogie/ Guitar In My Hand/ I Live My Life/ I've Been Mistreated/ It Can Never Be That Way/ Just Got Lucky/ Justice Blues/ Mary Is Fine/ Mercy On Me/ My Time's Expensive/ She Walk Right In/ Taking My Chances/ Too Late Baby/ Win With Me Baby/ Without Me Baby

 
CLARENCE 'GATEMOUTH' BROWN Classics 5127 The Chronological Clarence 'GATEMOUTH' Brown, 1952-1954 ● CD $14.98
The second volume of the great Texas bluesman featuring 18 tracks recorded between 1952 and '54 in chronological order.
CLARENCE 'GATEMOUTH' BROWN: Baby Take It Easy/ Boogie Uproar/ Depression Blues/ Dirty Work At The Cross Road/ For Now, So Long/ Gate Walks To Board/ Good Looking Woman/ Hurry Back Good News/ Midnight Hour/ Okie Dokie Stomp/ Pale Dry Boogie - Part 1 And 2/ Please Tell Me Baby/ Sad Hour/ September Song/ She Winked Her Eye/ That's Your Daddy Yaddy Yo/ You Got Money

 
CLARENCE 'GATEMOUTH' BROWN Hightone 8174 Timeless ● CD $18.98
11 tracks, 58 minutes, excellent
If you ever run into Gatemouth Brown and decide to introduce yourself, don't tell him he's a great blues musician - Gate doesn't pigeonhole himself and doesn't care to have anyone else offer to do it for him. The 58 minutes of "Timeless” prove clearly that Brown is all over the map with an ability to play any style of music that he wishes. Here, he covers Fletcher Henderson's Soft Wind, Jay McShann's Jumpin' The Blues, Duke Ellington's Satin Doll, Hoyt Garrick's Dark End Of The Hallway, and Josef Zawinal's Mercy, Mercy, Mercy as well as digging into a nine-minute version of The Drifter and a handful of other originals. (CR)

 
CLARENCE 'GATEMOUTH' BROWN Maison De Blues 982 2467 Gate's On The Heat ● CD $15.98
This CD features two sessions - one held in 1972 with "Gate" accompanied by a French rhythm section with The Memphis Horns overdubbed later. This session was originally issued as "The Drifter Rides" again. Another session was held in 1973 with "Gate" joined by Canned Heat. The album was then re-released as "Gate's On The Heat" with two of the tracks added from the Canned Heat session. This CD adds two more tracks from the latter session for a total of 12 tracks. Gate is in fine form singing and playing guitar, violin and harmonica on a collection of originals (Man & His Environment/ Please Mr. Nixon/ Dollar's Got The Blues, etc.) and fine covers Jelly, Jelly/ One Mint Julep/ River's Invitation, etc.)
 
CLARENCE 'GATEMOUTH' BROWN P-Vine PCD 5529 The Blues Ain't Nothin' ● CD $22.98
14 tracks recorded for the French Black & Blue label between 1971 and 1973 with Mickey Baker, Arnett Cobb, Milt Buckner, Jay McShann and others. Two tracks are previously unissued.
CLARENCE 'GATEMOUTH' BROWN: Ain't That Just Like A Woman/ Blues Ain't Nothing/ Caldonia/ Dirty Work At The Crossroad/ If I Get Lucky/ Let The Good Times Roll/ Piney Brown Blues/ Please Tell Me Baby/ Sad Sad Hour/ She Winked her Eye/ Slow Down/ Somebody Done Changed The Lock On My Door/ The Poeple/ You Got Money

 
CLARENCE 'GATEMOUTH' BROWN Rounder 2028 Alright Again! ● CD $15.98
CD reissue of 1981 album recorded in New Orleans with good band including Alvin 'Red' Tyler on sax. It's nearly all blues - Gate is in good form vocally and on guitar, and throws in a little violin for good measure. A wide variety of material here - Frosty/ Give Me Time To Explain/ Sometimes/ Slip/ Alligator Boogaloo, etc. 10 cuts.
CLARENCE 'GATEMOUTH' BROWN: Alligator Boogaloo/ Baby Take It Easy/ Dollar Got the Blues/ Frosty/ Gate Walks To Board/ Give Me Time To Explain/ Honey In The Be-Bo/ I Feel Alright Again/ Sometimes I Slip/ Strollin' With Bones

 
CLARENCE 'GATEMOUTH' BROWN Rounder 2034 One More Mile ● CD $15.98
This CD reissue from 1982 is a more exciting set than his first Rounder LP - Gate sings and plays with more enthusiasm and he is accompanied by a fine band, with some excellent horn arrangements by Bill Samuel & Homer Brown. The repertoire is a mixture of new originals and some older songs. Besides blues the performances touch on jazz, country, cajun & pop music, fused together in Brown's inimitable style. 10 cuts.
 
CLARENCE 'GATEMOUTH' BROWN Rounder 2039 The Original Peacock Recordings ● CD $15.98
This CD - which reissues the 1983 Rounder LP - contains 12 cuts by Brown recorded for then-new Peacock Records in Houston, between 1952-59. Every song is a triumph, from the foot-stomping Hurry Back Good News to the mournful For Now So Long to Gate's signature tune, the Pluma Davis-penned classic Okie Dokie Stomp. The ever versatile Brown sings and plays his energy-filled guitar, as well as showing off with some talented harmonica work on Gate's Salty Blues, and some fine fiddling on Just Before Dawn. Great Texas blues, complete session info, informative notes, and two unissued cuts (same as LP). Recommended, though short at 32 minutes. (JC)
CLARENCE 'GATEMOUTH' BROWN: Ain't That Dandy/ Depression Blues/ Dirty Work at the Crossroads/ For Now So Long/ Gate's Salty Blues/ Good Looking Woman/ Hurry Back Good News/ Just Before Dawn/ Midnight Hour/ Okie Dokie Stomp/ Sad Hour/ That's Your Daddy Yaddy Yo

 
CLARENCE 'GATEMOUTH' BROWN Rounder 2054 Real Life ● CD $15.98
Fine 1986 album which was recorded live in Fort Worth, Texas with Gate's regular working band and is a powerful collection of Peacock remakes, blues standards, a couple of new songs and a wild version of the jazz standard Take The A Train. Most of the tracks feature tough guitar by Gate but on Catfish (a new composition - no relation to the traditional blues) he takes out his violin for some lively jazz/ blues improvisations.
CLARENCE 'GATEMOUTH' BROWN: Catfish/ Frankie And Johnny/ Next Time You See Me/ Okie Dokie Stomp/ Please Send Me Someone To Love/ Real Life/ St. Louis Blues/ Take The A Train/ What A Shame, What A Shame

 
CLARENCE 'GATEMOUTH' BROWN Rounder 11527 Texas Swing ● CD $15.98
17 tracks taken from his Grammy winning album Alright Again (Rounder 2028) and the Grammy nominated One More Mile (Rounder 2034).
CLARENCE 'GATEMOUTH' BROWN: Ain't That Dandy/ Alligator Boogaloo/ Baby Take It Easy/ Big Yard/ Dollar Got The Blues/ Flippin' Out/ Frosty/ Gate Walks To Board/ I Feel Alright Again/ I Wonder/ Information Blues/ Near Baku/ One More Mile/ Sometimes I Slip/ Song For Renee/ Stranded/ Strollin' With Bones

 
CLARENCE 'GATEMOUTH' BROWN Sugar Hill 3891 Blackjack ● CD $15.98
CD reissue of 1977 album originally issued on the Music Is Medicine label - his first full length U.S. album. A diverse collection of blues, country and jazz.
 
CLARENCE 'GATEMOUTH' BROWN Verve 529 465-2 A Long Way Home ● CD $15.98
Most recent release from this versatile bluesman with a whole slew of guest musicians including Eric Clapton, Sonny Landreth, Leon Russell, Amos Garrett and others
CLARENCE 'GATEMOUTH' BROWN: Blues Power/ Deep, Deep Water/ Dockside Boogie/ Don't Cry Sister/ Don't Think Twice/ Here I Go Again/ I'll Be There (If You Ever Want Me)/ Long Way Home/ Mean And Evil/ Somebody Else/ The Blues Walk/ Tobacco Road/ Underhand Boogie

 
CLEO BROWN Classics 1252 The Chronological Cleo Brown, 1935-1951 ● CD $15.98
25 tracks, recommended
Cleo was one of the first female Chicago boogie woogie singers/ pianists whose off color cabaret type stylings forged the way for Nellie Lutcher, Julia Lee and Martha Davis. Backed by small combos whose notable members included drummers Gene Krupa or Tubby Hall, guitarist Bobby Sherwood and others. Cleo's sly, sometimes coy, warblings set against strong bluesy piano solos made her one of the great boogie gals of the 30's, at times she comes off as a female Fats Waller. Includes her version of Pinetop Smith's classic Boogie Woogie plus When Hollywood Goes Black & Tan/ The Stuff Is here And It's Mellow/ Pelican Stomp/ Mama Don't Want No Peas An' Rice An' Coconut Oil/ My Gal Mezzanine, etc. 17 of these tracks were issued on a President CD a few years ago but this represents her complete output. (OLN/FS)
 
CLEO BROWN President PLCD 548 The Legendary Cleo Brown ● CD $15.98
17 tracks, 46 mins, recommended
Cleo was one of the first female Chicago boogie woogie singers/ pianists whose off color cabaret type stylings forged the way for Nellie Lutcher, Julia Lee and Martha Davis. Backed by small combos whose notable members included drummers Gene Krupa or Tubby Hall, guitarist Bobby Sherwood and others. Cleo's sly, sometimes coy, warblings set against strong bluesy piano solos made her one of the great boogie gals of the 30's, at times she comes off as a female Fats Waller. Includes her version of Pinetop Smith's classic Boogie Woogie plus When Hollywood Goes Black & Tan/ The Stuff Is here And It's Mellow/ Pelican Stomp/ Mama Don't Want No Peas An' Rice An' Coconut OIl/ My Gal Mezzanine, etc (OLN/FS)
CLEO BROWN: Breakin' In A Pair Of Shoes/ Give A Broken Heart A Break/ I'll Take The South/ Latch On/ Lookie Lookie Here Comes Cookie/ Love In The First Degree/ Mama Don't Want No Peas No Rice No Coconut Oil/ Me And My Wonderful One/ My Gal Mezzanine/ Never Too Tired For Love/ Pelican Stomp/ Pinetop's Boogie Woogie/ Stuff Is Here And It's Mellow/ When/ When Hollywood Goes Black And Tan/ You're A Heavenly Thing/ You're My Fever

 
GABRIEL BROWN Flyright 59 Mean Old Blues, 1943-1949 ● CD $16.98
26 tracks, 78 mins, highly recommended
Gabriel Brown is an intriguing and rewarding country bluesman. Originally from Florida he was first recorded there for the Library Of Congress in 1935 by Alan Lomax and Zora Neale Hurston, subsequently worked as an actor with the Federal Arts Theatre under the direction of Orson Welles and eventually settled in New Jersey. In 1943 he started recording for the legendary New York musical entrepeneur Joe Davis and over the next 9 years recorded 42 tracks for Davis about two thirds which appeared on various 78s on Davis's various labels plus some leased to other labels. The remaining cuts surfaced when Bruce Bastin was doing his groundbreaking research on Davis some years ago. Brown is an outstanding singer with a dark warm style and is an effective and fine, if sometimes erratic, guitarist. His material is varied and interesting with an interesting overlap of rural style with an urban sensibility - how many rural bleusmen sing about "the law of averages" as Brown does here on I've Done Stopped Gamblin'? Among the excellent sides here are the gorgeous introductory track I Get Evil When My Love Comes Down/ Black Jack Blues/ I've Got To Stop Drinkin'/ I'm Gonna Take It Easy/ That's Alright/ Good-Time Papa/ Mean Old Blues/ The Jinx Is On Me (with nice slide)/ Nobody Loves Like My Little Girl and more. It also includes his one stab at risque song It's Getting Soft - his biggest seller at 7,000 copies! Brown was a unique performer and apart from the occasional musical reference to Blind Boy Fuller he really doesn't sound like anyone else. This package is exemplary with excellent sound, informative notes by Lawrence Hoffman and a beautiful color photo of Brown on the cover. Brown's talents are not immediately obvious but a few listens will reveal the depath of his music. Check it out! (FS)