Asleep at the Wheel

This is a curious collection dedicated to Bob Wills who is considered the “King of Western Swing”. First off Western Swing is 1920’s and 30’s swing and jazz songs infused with Country. It’s really not quite as freakish as it may sound as many of the songs will sound reassuringly familiar even if you are totally ignorant of this particular sub-genre.

This tribute album by Ray Benson & Asleep at the Wheel is their third and has attracted Country stalwarts the likes of Willie Nelson, Merle Haggard and Shooter Jennings from the next generation.

Bob Wills and his Texas Playboys were a Country music band who were at their most prolific during the late 1930’s and 40’s touring and recording around the USA. Lest you think this was just some novelty band, Bob Wills was inducted into both the Country Music and Rock & Roll Hall of Fame.

There are twenty-two songs on this album and while a single sitting listen is not a chore, maybe a more graduated approach would lead to a greater appreciation of what’s on the disc.

Picking at random, the leisurely Faded Love with The Time Jumpers is one for the hammock it’s so laid back. You don’t have to have much of an imagination to know what the old standard South of the Border (Down Mexico Way) sounds like.

Where next? Well by title alone there’s Ding Dong Daddy from Dumas which bops nicely, on that track there’s the off the wall Bubbles in My Beer. If you go by artist then there’s Will Nelson and the Quebec Sisters take on the much covered Navajo Trail, and Lyle Lovett covering the similarly well trodden Trouble in Mind.

If you want some fret work that wont drill through the eardrum there’s the three guitar workout on for Twin Guitar Special or the supple twang of Brain Cloudy Blues.

Quite simply this album is easy listening - which is not a put down - and not only a wonderful introduction to the world of Bob Wills but also popular music from a bygone age.