Billy Jack Wills & his Western Swing band 1952-1954, Crazy, Man, Crazy / Western LP-2002

Description

LP Western 2002

“Here is further proof that Billy Jack Wills had a unit that could challenge that of older brother Bob in terms of execution, if not popularity. Billy Jack’s crew was more streamlined than Bob’s and they focused more intently on jump blues and R&B, giving them a sound and a momentum that presaged rock & roll. That’s not to say that the band wasn’t capable of subtlety or sophistication; the complex, well-honed arrangements (by former Texas Playboy Tiny Moore) and the sparking improvisations of Moore, steel-guitar phenom Vance Terry, and Satchmo-inspired trumpeter Dick McComb say otherwise”.

“Billy Jack Wills, the younger brother of Bob Wills, had a stylish and sophisticated little western swing combo. This album is compiled of radio broadcasts from 1954, and finds the band in prime form, and the soloists taking heated jazz solos. Only the hillbilly-style vocals and steel guitar give it the “western sound,” however Tiny Moore‘s arrangements and playing add the swing and jazz content as well as some hot trumpet solos! This might be some of the hottest small group swing of any kind to come out of 1954, with touches of jump blues. The band even bops to a degree. If you like Bob Wills, but thought he was a little too corny, try Billy Jack Wills, this might be called western jazz swing!”

Tracks:

Cadillac Model ‘A’
Blues For You, My Love
Jelly Roll Blues
Skiddle Dee Boo
Rock-A-Bye-Baby Blues
Sugar Blues
Stardust
Slow Drive
Crazy, Man, Crazy
Milk Cow Blues
Sweet Georgia Brown
Kentucky Means Paradise
Kissin’ Bug Boogie
Jazz Me Blues
Steel Guitar Stomp
Rock-A-Bye-Baby Blues (Instrumental)