Customer Reviews

Very Best Of Asleep at the Wheel

5 star:		(3)
4 star:		(2)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

If you are a fan of western swing, you have more than likely listened to Asleep at the Wheel. If you are looking for a definitive, modern western swing collection, this is it. Asleep at the Wheel does the music of Bob Wills and the Texas Playboys with a passion. George Strait, Alan Jackson and Mark Chesnutt all throw a little swing in on each album, but Asleep at the Wheel makes western swing their genre. Recently, they have given us two great Bob Wills tribute albums filled with duets with superstars of country and rock. Now, they give us their very best selections from over thrity years of swinging.
Asleep at the Wheel is one of those bands that has been critically acclaimed yet all but ignored by radio. After winning eight Grammies and still being a stranger to the Top 10, Asleep at the Wheel still has a great time on stage and they still make great music for the sake of making great music. This album is about great music and it is filled the greatest these guys have put out.
There are many highlights on the album. It would actually be safe to say that they whole album is one huge highlight. One of the most fun tunes is the "Sugarfoot Rag," which has Brad Paisley picking his guitar. Another great Asleep at the Wheel and Bob Wills classic is "Big Ball's in Cowtown" and it's inclusion on the album is more than just a song. The mandolin on this song is actually played by Johnny Gimble, who was fiddler for the Texas Playboys. Hearing Johnny Gimble play is a dreamlike experience and it definitely does great things for this album. Also included is a cover of one of the greatest Bob Wills songs of all time, "Take Me Back To Tulsa." "Take Me Back To Tulsa" is one of the greatest demonstrations of twin fiddles as the strings playfully wrap around one another. The band pays homage to Texas with several songs, including "Boogie Back to Texas," "Miles and Miles of Texas" and "Texas Me and You." Another high point for the album is the opening song, "The Letter (That Johnny Walker Read)." It was recorded in 1975 during the very early days of Asleep at the Wheel and has a unique Tex-Mex sound that sets it apart from the other songs on the album.
Each selection on the album was hand picked from the vast Asleep at the Wheel catalog of music and each song has it's own special features. Asleep at the Wheel deserves so much credit for keeping western swing and the music of Bob Wills alive. They are one of the hardest working bands in the business, playing night after night all over the country, putting smiles on faces and making music that people love to dance to.

If this music doesn't do it for you, nothing will! It's hard to pick a favorite from the album - this is Asleep at the Wheel at their best.

Great sampling of this style of Western Swing. I lived in Texas for 13 years and this is a must have of Texas Americana

I'm pretty much an east coast rock fan and at 50 years of age you can pretty much figure out my taste. I heard the Suzuki commercial a few times on TV which features Asleep at the Wheels version of "Route 66". I was hooked on this version and tracked down the CD. If you have any rythm in your body this CD will find it. You immediately start an uncontrollable toe tap and find yourself singing along. I taught my fourteen year old daughter to jitterbug. We throw the CD on and dance in the basement rec room. The 12 year old is catching on fast. My wife thinks we're nuts. I just ordered On the Road with Bob. Go to AATW's web site for more fun. Even if you don't own one Country Western album you should have AATW in your collection. It is strong medicine.

Asleep at the Wheel is the best modern Texas fiddle band in existance. You may know it as Western Swing, but it is what it is...Though not as good as the originals, the recordings benefit from today's recording technoligy.