In a time when the regional flavor of the blues is being diluted guitar-slinger Long John Hunter is Texas Blues with a big ol T . Fame has eluded this legend of the Tex-Mex roadhouses for way too long and Border Town Legend is wicked redemption. From the first bristling notes of T-Bone Intentions you know you re in for a hot time. This CD is a flat-out party. Propelled by a crackerjack outfit of brassy horns Hunter fires up a spicy mix of jump blues soulful laments and joyous rave-ups. Ole Red is a stone-cold butt-shaker Arkansas is smoky seductive R&B at it s best and no guitarist is left standing once the Lone Star Shootout has ended. Even more astonishing all but one of these tracks are Hunter-penned originals. Make a run for Border Town Legend or die trying. -Genevieve Williams