I just received the newest release from Real Gone Records,
Riding Your Way - The Lost Transcriptions For Tiffany Music 1946 - 1947 by
Bob Wills and His Texas Playboys and it's a real authentic cowboy/big band/Mexican/Hawaiian/bluegrass/swing/jazz fusion collection and a joy to explore. Included are all of the background hoots and hollars, hawaiian steel guitar tuning, big band horn arrangements, yodeling and authentic American music that you could imagine. This 11 or so piece band brought it all and didn't leave any of it when they were done. They went all after it. For two years Wills and the Playboys recorded tracks for about 30 radio stations airings including written dialog for the DJ's to string together the tracks. Originally 220 tracks were compiled for release between 1947 and 49.With the resurgence of interest in Wills music in the 90's and again in 2009 a large set of these recordings were released as a box set. This set, the recordings which are premium quality includes 50 tracks from the original recordings including 20 tracks that have never before been released. I have been sitting listening to this 2 disc set for a number of hours and it draws you in even more as you listen to it. This is genuine good time music and expertly executed. Going through and exploring each track individually in writing would be an enormous track but I will say that there is a variety of music here, all which is extremely enjoyable.
Disc 1 opens with
Put Another Chair At The Table a classic country styled ballad with big band twists.
Brushy Fork is a really cool bluegrass (Irish reel) track with a lot of snap. The instrumental,
Paradise Isle has a lot of Hawaiian influence with lap tuned Hawaiian style. Very cool.
Brown Skin Gal, another instrumental is pure Texas swing with a capital T.
Travelin Blues hits right on target with a country blues track. Excellent!
On The Alamo again touches on Hawaiian tuning on the steel but with a touch of big band/jazz arrangement. Another particularly cool track.
El Rancho Grande is one of my favorites from disc one with it's TexMex flavor.
Ragtime Annie is a springy bluegrass style instrumental and a great track to conclude the 25 track 1st disc.
Disc 2 opens with
Sally Johnson which I think would be a jig or a reel. A very cool instrumental and then into
Silver Dew on the Blue Grass Tonight, a traditional country swing track with traditional country steel tuning.
Love Letters In The Sand gets a real country swing feel. And
My Wild Irish Rose is taken as seriously as when written. Very nice. Another favorites on disc 2 is
She's Killing Me, a bluegrass influenced track with a lot of vocal call and response.
Bubbles In My Beer should definitely be in the jukebox of my neighborhood tavern. It would get a lot of quarters.
I really enjoyed this review of classic Bob Wills music and recommend the release for anyone who likes a little touch of something fun.
Included with these special 50 tracks is a large tri fold dvd sized package with photos and track listings as well as a 23 page booklet chocked full of info, poster photos, notes, bios and photos to look at while you listen to this great release.
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