1977 Music Is Medicine
US Pressung
v/vg
"BLACKJACK was released in 1977, Clarence Gatemouth Brown's first American recording after recording and playing in France most of the 70's. John D Loudermilk (played on "Gate's" "Long Way Home" album 1995 ) said it well: "At last, working man's music from both sides of the tracks has come together and produced the most American artist yet -- Gatemouth Brown."
American music indeed: a special combination of blues, jazz, and lotsa' country...which I would not worry about (if not crazy 'bout country). Gate seems to know when the music listener needs a new sound just when all might get (too country) predictable.
"Here Am I" (blues with a hint of country), "Tippin In" (blues; and what must be the mandola with "Gate" mustering up that "Hawaiin" sound) and the splendid 6min 21sec "Song For Renee" (also a later, different version on ONE MORE MILE) with an added flute by Bobby Campo. "Gates" violin work is peerless (on both "..Rene" instrumentals).
"Pressure Cooker" is another song I have heard before (PRESSURE CooKER album from 1973 French recording) that starts off like smooth jazz and gets a little rougher around the soloing edges.
And, again, if you fear the country sound getting to be "surprisingly" much, Gate whips in a violin solo (for example) on "When My Blue Moon Turns to Gold" that emphatically had me saying on my second listen: "Ah, that is where the blue moon just turned (the mood) to Gold." It's kind of a cool treasure of fiddle work.
"Gate" can always put a nice spin and/or "turn in" a unique phrasing to his well earned reputation as an original musician-artist. And BLACKJACK is filled with these original moments. Gate also plays harmonica and has a special moment 'within' himself, it seems - mumbling and grumbling about not being happy about something, (kind of amusing, kind of dark too) - as he plays some bursting harmonica chords on the "Street Corner". He eventually tells someone to "Shut Up!" And then states he will "...get out his knife..." mumbling "...cut you...". Like I said kinda funny and dark at same time.
I also heard "The Dark End of the Hallway" (a Texas-country 'soaper') and "Up Jumped the Devil" (and the immediate comparisons to Charlie Daniels Band 'jammin' fiddle work) on the Live In Austin Texas recording (1996). These sound mostly similar but well worth hearing, again; this time studio version style. The only time I have ever enjoyed this much of a "variation" on country is Willie Nelson (especially Milk Cow Blues album). But, I can honestly say "Gatemouth" - and that inevitable Jazz variety - make this the most fun, with all around help from other instrumentals too. Bobby Campo's sax - or is that a flugel horn(?) - is also quite prevalent. And Rod Roddy (who are these guys? where do they find them...?) on piano also stands out. Master work as usual by "His Uniqueness Extraordinaire."
And I didn't even mention the title song "Blackjack" or the fast paced "Honey Boy"; and the song "Chickenshift" is humorous like the double take you may have just made being sure you were reading that song title correctly. There is an "F' in there. Cluck Cluck." (Amazon US Kunde)
