South Texas Swing

Adolf Hofner | Format: Audio CD

Product Details

• Audio CD (September 1, 1994)
• Original Release Date: September 14, 1994
• Number of Discs: 1
• Label: Arhoolie Records
• ASIN: B0000023U0
• Also Available in: MP3 Download
• Average Customer Review: 4.9 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (9 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #223,491 in Music (See Top 100 in Music)

Editorial Reviews

Amazon.com

Hofner is an only-from-Texas kind of Western swinger, hailing from the state's wide Czech belt, claiming Czech as his first language, and often singing his polkas, waltzes, and traditional tunes in that language. He also had the hit version of the traditional fiddle tune "Cotton-Eyed Joe," which has since become a must-play for any band on the Texas dance hall circuit, and turned in credible Bing Crosby-derived vocals on pop standards. And his bands, which included his brother Bash on steel and often the great hot fiddler J.R. Chatwell, swung with the best of 'em. --John Morthland

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

9 of 9 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A Slice of Texas, October 2, 2000

By 

Richard R. Johnson "r-squared" (Houston, TX United States) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: South Texas Swing (Audio CD)

Texas is home to many different musical styles, and Adolph Hofner is one of those artists who seems to capture nearly every one of them in his recordings. What strikes me is that while many would label his music as "diverse," Hofner would probably have just called it "music." The fact that Hofner is not well known and celebrated nationally puzzles me, for I believe he is one of the great Texas recording artists of all time, which puts him in grand company.

7 of 7 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A swinger swing, a fiddle lover delight, October 14, 2003

By 

Tony Thomas (SUNNY ISLES BEACH, FL USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: South Texas Swing (Audio CD)

Hofner's Texas band really stay where Texas swing started without going to the electric guitar, steel guitar, electric mandolin, etc trio sound that Wills and later Spade Cooley made the standard in California based Western swing after the War. Here you have bright and sometimes hot fiddles, nice lead guitars, and a bouncing, always dancable rhythmn. There is some wise witticisms in some of the songs--I always remember My old guitar. Some of the Czech tunes here like the Jesse Polka are real classics. It's interesting that in Texas, the Bohemian and German influences blended in with the Mexican music--that where Flaco Jimenez's grandfather got the idea of playing the button accordian and any serious Tex Mex dance will have its polka.
Anyway, if you think you know about Western Swing and don't have this CD, you don't. Whatever you know, this is some nice music.

There is often the unsaid words about why Hofner never made it further. It was his bad luck to be named Adolph Hofner, and to play in an art form that peaked in popularity during World War II. I believe for a time Hofner changed his last name, but nothing helped him overcome this obstacle.

7 of 7 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A Glimpse Into a Great Regional Culture: Czech Texas, July 11, 2000

By 

Michael Konvicka (Sealy, Texas USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: South Texas Swing (Audio CD)

The Czech recordings on this album provide a look back on a regional culture which is rapidly disappearing in Texas, that of Bohemian and Moravian Texas. While listening to these recordings, you may find your mind drifting back 50 years to a rural Texas dance hall. The smell of cotton fields mixes with the smell of cold beer and kolaches, while happy people dance to a beautiful Adolf Hofner waltz. You can feel the history in these recordings.