Hash Brown - Hash Brown's Texas Blues Revue (1999)

Sounding for all the world like a stack of old Duke and Peacock singles, Texas guitarist Hash Brown puts together an album with the old R&B-blues revues of the 1950s in mind. The concept works just fine, showcasing a trio of vocalists in front of a large horn-dominated band. Sam Myers is the best of the lot, blowing harp and singing with authority on "Sad and Lonesome." Darrell Nulisch contributes two fine tracks in "My Baby's Gone" and the jumping "I Sat and Cried." Also aboard are what appears to be the final recordings of Texas legend Zuzu Bollin -- a bit diminished in lung power, but still capable of bringing some heat on "Cry, Cry, Cry." Throughout, Brown's guitar work is tasty and heavy on the T-Bone Walker influences. A unique concept for bringing together a hodge-podge of diverse tracks that really works. ~Review by Cub Koda