Blues vet Clarence “Gatemouth” Brown spends little time actually singin’ the blues on Back to Bogalusa, a celebration of the 77-year-old’s home state of Louisiana. After hearing such tracks as the swingin’ “Back to Louisiana,” one understands just why—at his age, Brown seems just so tickled to still be cutting records. He wields an abundance of energy, plucking his way through such fine electric blues as “Folks Back Home.” Though boasting some fine fiddle fills and slide-guitar work (by Brown himself and Sonny Landreth, respectively), the album is often slowed by predictable saxophone solos. But as exemplified by the talking-blues track “Bogalusa Boogie Man,” this set is a horn-heavy batch of feel-good Bayou music more interested in shaking some tail feathers than stirring the soul.—WO
