Personnel: Clarence "Gatemouth" Brown (vocals, guitar); Michael Attenoux (alto saxophone); Arnett Cobb, Hal Singer (tenor saxophone); Xavier Chambon (trumpet); Al Grey, Claude Gousset (trombone); Jay McShann (piano); Milt Buckner, Stan Hunter (organ); Roland Lobligeois (bass); Michael Silva, Paul Gunther, Chris Columbo (drums).

Recorded at Barclay Studio, Paris, France and Condorcet Studio, Toulouse, France in March, July and August 1973.

This Alligator compilation of tracks Clarence "Gatemouth" Brown recorded in the '70s for the French Black and Blue label finds him in the excellent company of such jazz and blues veterans as pianist Jay McShann, organist Milt Buckner, and tenor saxophonist Arnett Cobb. Though Brown is known as a stylistic mix-master--switching easily between country, jazz, blues, and island rhythms--the predominant mode here is lively electric blues, with touches of Louis Jordan-esque jump blues and down-home gutbucket wailing in equal measure.

The players on these sessions get plenty of room to stretch out, and Brown's guitar solo on the opener, "She Winked Her Eye," which features chicken-scratching, melodic quotes and fluid, stinging licks all executed with seemingly effortless ease, is representative of the dazzling facility he displays throughout. Elsewhere, as on the bebop-flavored title track (featuring strong work from Cobb on sax), and Louis Jordan's grin-inducing "Ain't Nobody Here But Us Chickens," Brown proves he is capable of stretching the definition of blues. The tunes and musicianship displayed here--in particular, Brown's spirited, throaty vocals, and exceptional guitar work--make PRESSURE COOKER a thoroughly kicking listen.