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4.0 out of 5 stars
Swing of the Golden West, crossing country, blues & jazz, August 10, 1999
This review is from: Swing West! Vol. 3: Western Swing (Audio CD)
While Buck Owens, Merle Haggard and Dwight Yoakam have the most famous names, California's been the adopted home of innovative country artists since the dustbowl drove Okies west. From the honky-tonks of Bakersfield, to the guitar pyrotechnics of Speedy West and Joe Maphis, to the vibrant swing scene of 1940s Los Angeles, California often led Nashville with new instrumentation, musical composites and lyrical ideas. Though far from definitive - it's only 3 CDs, after all - this set provides a superb introduction to the many facets of West Coast country.
Volume 3, dips back to the 40s, catching Bob Wills' westward move and the rise of solid-body amplified guitars. The Golden State's western swing had looser ties to traditional country, crossing from blues and jazz charts (including a mesmerizing opus by Tex Williams) to 8-bar boogie and proto-rock `n' roll. Take this one to your next dance class.
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