51 Western Swing

Various Artists - Swingbillies: Hillbilly & Western Swing On Modern/Colonial/Flair 1947-52 (2003) {Ace Records CDCHD 893}
EAC rip (secure mode) | FLAC (tracks)+CUE+LOG -> 207 Mb | MP3 @320 -> 155 Mb
Full Artwork @ 300 dpi (jpg) -> 27 Mb | 5% repair rar
© 1947-52, 2003 Modern / Colonial / Flair / Ace Records | CDCHD 893
West Coast Western Swing / Hillbilly / Country / Honky Tonk / Boogie

Ace Records first-ever exploration of the late 1940s hillbilly & western swing masters issued (& in many cases unissued) by Modern/Colonial/Flair Records. Drawing on material recorded in Texas, Louisiana, & Hollywood, 'Swingbillies' offers many important early recordings by young hopefuls who, in many cases, went onto become major country singers & musicians in the 50s & 60s - among them Jimmy Bryant, Ramblin' Jimmie Dolan, Jimmy C. Newman, Link Davis & of course Bill Woods, the godfather of Bakersfield country. 28 tracks.

The electric pianos that kick off "You Look So Good in Love," the opening song on George Strait's third album Right or Wrong, may suggest that Strait is softening a bit, but that first impression is a bit misleading. As soon as that ballad is over, he launches into the Bob Wills standard that gives this album its title and he's as dexterous and as pure country as ever, and the rest of the album follows the lead of its title song, not the opening cut. To be sure, there are other ballads and slightly slicker material here, but the heart of this record is in the pure country of the Bakersfield love tune "A Little Heaven's Rubbing Off on Me," the light, funny "80 Proof Bottle of Tear Stopper," the Merle Haggard cover "Our Paths May Never Cross" and the barroom weeper "Let's Fall to Pieces Together." The overall tone of Right or Wrong is a little bit lighter than his first two albums – the Western swing skips, it doesn't ride the beat hard, the honky tonk numbers don't hit at the gut, they hit at the heart – but that only emphasizes how natural Strait's delivery is, and how he makes it all sound easy, and all sound good. It's another fine album from a singer who was already notching up a lot of them.

What more can you ask for? Asleep at the Wheel playing on Austin City Limits running through a smoking program of rocking, strolling Western swing tunes – with special guests like Eldon Shamblin, Johnny Gimble, Leon Rausch, and Herb Remington no less. Asleep at the Wheel have performed on Austin City Limits numerous times – including the very first broadcast program back in 1976 – but this show, recorded gorgeously from 1992, is special. The bandmembers are so relaxed, open, and in the groove here that this stands out among their live recordings. It's true that the program is familiar, full of favorites and legendary swing tunes, though "Boot Scoot Boogie" by Brooks & Dunn's Ronnie Dunn is also here. Some of the standouts include "Roly Poly," "Corrine, Corrina," "Blues for Dixie," and the closing read of the Cindy Walker/Bob Wills tune "Sugar Moon."

On this continually interesting CD, the Manhattan Transfer revisits tunes from the swing era, in some cases re-creating (through vocalese) specific recordings. Benny Goodman's 1935 version of "King Porter Stomp," Bennie Moten's 1932 recording of "Moten's Swing," Glenn Miller's "I Know Why," Charlie Barnet's "Skyliner," and Fletcher Henderson's exciting arrangement of "Down South Camp Meetin'" are among the many highlights. The vocals are superb (particularly Janis Siegel and Cheryl Bentyne), although one wishes that the individual members had more of a chance to improvise within the style. The backup groups are different than one would expect, including the Western swing band Asleep at the Wheel, violinist Mark O'Connor (Stéphane Grappelli makes a special appearance on "Clouds"), and steel guitarist Buddy Emmons. Recommended.

The Jazz Club series is an attractive addition to the Verve catalogue. With it's modern design and popular choice of repertoire, the Jazz Club is not only opened for Jazz fans, but for everyone that loves good music. This collection by Django Reinhardt features 18 tracks including 'Swing From Paris', 'I Got Rhythm', 'September Song' and more.
Django Reinhardt was the first hugely influential jazz figure to emerge from Europe - and he remains the most influential European to this day, with possible competition from Joe Zawinul, George Shearing, John McLaughlin, his old cohort Stephane Grappelli and a bare handful of others…

Asleep At The Wheel - Ride With Bob (1999) {DreamWorks DRMD-50117}
XLD rip (secure mode) | FLAC (tracks)+CUE+LOG -> 360 Mb | MP3 @320 -> 145 Mb
Full Artwork @ 300 dpi (png) -> 127 Mb | 5% repair rar
© 1999 DreamWorks Records / SKG Music Nashville | DRMD-50117
Swing / Country / Contemporary Country / Western Swing

Asleep at the Wheel devoted its entire career to Western swing, which is commonly known as the music Bob Wills created. They became the standard bearers for the genre, making sure that it was still an integral part of the country music mainstream. Since their entire career feels like a living monument to Wills, it almost seems unnecessary for them to record tributes to the "King of Western Swing" – that is, until you hear the records. Ride With Bob, their sequel to the award-winning Tribute to the Music of Bob Wills, has more guest appearances than its predecessor, but it's every bit as enjoyable.