Personnel: Clarence "Gatemouth" Brown (vocals, guitar, fiddle, piano, drums); Tommy Moran, Rob Fleming (guitar); Terrance Simien (accordion); Dennis Taylor, Bill Samuel (saxophone); Bobby Campo (trumpet); Ernie Gautreau (trombone); Garfield Verdine, Lawrence Sieberth (piano); Larry Marshall (organ); Harold Floyd (bass); Lloyd Herrman, Kenny Brown (drums); Earl Sally (rubboard); David Craig, Frank Smith, Mike Pace, Bobby Brown (background vocals).

Recorded at Ultrasonic Studios, New Orleans, Louisiana and Southlake Recording Studios, Metairie, Louisiana.

A delightfully eclectic program spotlighting nearly all of Gate's musical leanings -- blues, jazz, country, even a hearty taste of "Louisiana Zydeco" -- and a revealing glimpse of his multi-instrumental abilities: he plays guitar, violin, drums, and piano! There's a tender remake of the Chuck Willis R&B ballad and a funk-tinged update of "Got My Mojo Working," but everything else is from Brown's own pen. ~ Bill Dahl

On STANDING MY GROUND, Texas roots-meister Clarence "Gatemouth" Brown makes room for some Louisiana magic amid the Louis Jordan-esque jump blues that colors much of his '80s work. The swampy, Cajun-esque "Born in Louisiana" (complete with sly fiddling from Brown), and the zydeco accordion and rubboard-accompanied strut of "Louisiana Zydeco" almost makes it seem as if Brown's traded in his Texas boots for a big platter of crawfish. But the musical master remains unclassifiable, and soon downshifts to "Cool Jazz," a grooving bop number that lives up to its title.

Brown displays a lighter guitar tone here, proving as capable with subtle jazz riffs as he is with the slashing, fleet-fingered style for which he is famous. The track list combines luxurious deep blues ("I Hate These Doggone Blues"), the hep-cat big band swing of which Brown is so fond ("She Walks Right In"), and even gospel-tinged country on "What Am I Living For" (featuring, again, Brown's soulful violin). Strong performances from numerous personnel (including a fat horn section and background vocalists) keep the music tight, lively and polished. As usual with Clarence "Gatemouth" Brown, the superior quality is predictable, but the music always surprises.

Goldmine - Recommended - "...a genuine American musical institution..."

Audio Magazine (4/90) - Sound B+ / Performance B - "...his most consistent album in years..."