Standing My Ground
Another fine recording from the genre-bending multi-instrumentalist,Standing My Groundfinds Clarence "Gatemouth" Brown turning a hand at guitar, vocals, and fiddle as usual, as well as piano on the jumping "Never Unpack Your Suitcase" and some great drum breaks on "She Walks Right In." There's a stellar swing-jazz piece, appropriately titled "Cool Jazz," and a blues-zydeco mix on, yep, "Louisiana Zydeco." The high point, though, is Gate's take on "What Am I Living For," as tender a blues ballad as has ever been recorded. In addition, Gate breathes new life into "Got My Mojo Working," which has got to be one of the most frequently covered blues songs on record.--Genevieve Williams