Crucial Texas Blues

Sampler production by Bruce Iglauer and Bob DePugh
Packaging design by Kevin Niemiec
Johnny Winter photo by Terry Bert

TRACKS FROM CRUCIAL TEXAS BLUES APPEAR ON THESE ALBUMS:

1. Clarence "Gatemouth" Brown
Standing My Ground ALCD 4779
Gate is a world-renowned master of swinging Texas-style electric blues guitar, and equally talented playing jazz, country and zydeco. His career has spanned over 50 years and he's still going strong.

2. Albert Collins, Robert Cray & Johnny Copeland
Showdown! ALCD 4743
This Grammy-winning album brought together Albert Collins and his two famous students, Johnny Copeland and Robert Cray, for a history-making super session. A soul-stirring, string-bending masterpiece.

3. Long John Hunter
Swinging From The Rafters ALCD 4853
Hard-driving, guitar-powered intensity from this West Texas legend. In the last few years, Long John, after decades in the gritty bars of El Paso, has become one of the Lone Star State's most popular bluesmen.

4. W.C. Clark 
From Austin With Soul ALCD 4844
The Godfather of Austin Blues is famed for his guitar-driven shuffles, his hard-edged R&B and his sweet soul music. The former Stevie Ray Vaughan bandmate and teacher has taken his music all over the world and won a devoted following.

5. Katie Webster
No Foolin'! ALCD 4803
Sassy, two-fisted Houston piano queen Katie Webster was joined by her old pal, guitarist Lonnie Brooks, to revitalize this classic swamp pop tune. C.J. Chenier also guested on this CD.

6. Lonnie Brooks, Long John Hunter & Phillip Walker
Lone Star Shootout ALCD 4866
Along with their friend Lonnie Brooks, these masters of Gulf Coast blues reunited in 1999 for a joyful, no-holds-barred head-cutting contest, with each one trying to outplay and outsing the other.

7. Johnny Winter
3rd Degree ALCD 4748
The world famous Texas guitar wizard's third CD for Alligator included Dr. John on piano and Johnny's original Texas trio.  Rough-edged vocals and fiery guitar with the speed of light.

8. Floyd Dixon
Wake Up And Live! ALCD 4841
Joyous new recordings from the creator of Hey Bartender and dozens of other 1940s and '50s jump blues classics. Swinging piano and sax music from this native of Marshall, Texas.

9. C.J. Chenier & The Red Hot Louisiana Band
Too Much Fun ALCD 4830
Zydeco is just as popular in East Texas as it is in Louisiana, and it's home to C.J. Chenier, the hard-rocking heir to the zydeco crown. Too Much Fun was his well-named Alligator debut, featuring great accordion, pulsating grooves and C.J.'s gorgeous voice.

10. Delbert McClinton
Live From Austin ALCD 4773
The first live album by the King of the Texas Roadhouses. Raw rockers to soulful ballads recorded live for the Austin City Limits TV show.

11. Marcia Ball
Presumed Innocent ALCD 4879
The Alligator debut by Austin's world famous singer/pianist. From rollicking Gulf Coast boogie to intense ballads, Marcia infuses every song with deep Texas soul.

12. Albert Collins
Cold Snap ALCD 4752
The Master of the Telecaster created a unique, powerhouse guitar style, pouring out torrents of icy, reverb-laden licks and then laying back to sing in his dry, humor-filled voice. One of the greatest bluesmen ever.