Clarence "Gatemouth" Brown's 1950s recordings fuse the energy of big-band horns, the shuffles and boogies of R&B, and his own white-hot guitar leads. Greatly influenced by fellow Texans Blind Lemon Jefferson and T-Bone Walker, Brown absorbed their smooth, melodic, single-string solo technique, but added a rough-edged intensity to his explosive style. The slow blues "Dirty Work at the Crossroads" added Jimmy McCracklin's rolling piano to Brown's bold and brash guitar work, but it was the 1954 instrumental "Okie Dokie Stomp" that put Brown on the map. With blaring horns urging him on, Brown attacks the music with ferocity. "Ain't That Dandy" is another instrumental guitar romp, while 1959's "Just Before Dawn" features Brown's swinging violin. --Marc Greilsamer