The Hot Guitars Of Biller & Wakefield

Biller & Wakefield

Product Details

• Audio CD (February 23, 1999)
• Original Release Date: February 23, 1999
• Number of Discs: 1
• Label: Hightone Records
• ASIN: B00000I8XC
• Also Available in: Vinyl  |  MP3 Download
• Average Customer Review: 4.7 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (3 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #216,049 in Music (See Bestsellers in Music)

Editorial Reviews

Amazon.com

Most country musicians in 1999 have never even heard of Jimmy Bryant & Speedy West, much less take their artistic cues from them. Guitarist Dave Biller (who also plays with the all-acoustic Asylum Street Spankers) and steel wiz Jeremy Wakefield don't quite match the intensity and all-around explosiveness of the original duo, but then again, no one else has either. Instead, the two opt for a smoother, cooler approach. Although there are hints of hillbilly boogie and Western swing, this is really a straight country-jazz record full of engaging, superbly played Buddy Emmons-style bop. Assisted at times by Big Sandy and His Fly-Rite Boys, most notably fluid pianist Sonny Leyland, the pair show a strong absorption of jazz style and technique and an overriding jazz sensibility--even down to Wakefield's "Lady Be Good" quote on "Biller Barges In." --Marc Greilsamer

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

8 of 8 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars A definite sure-fire, solid sender..., August 7, 2004

By	Jack Dempsey (South Miami Beach, Florida) - See all my reviews

Biller and Wakefield. Those names might not conjure up anything in a lot of folks' minds. But, if you've been following "the scene" since Robert Williams (aka Big Sandy) only had a trio of fly-rite boys (and when they still included the legendary T.K. Smith), you might have happened across these boys a time or two.

Put it this way...let's look at the company they keep. Big Sandy. Deke Dickerson. Dave Stuckey. The Horton Brothers. High Noon. T.K. Smith. The Lucky Stars. Wayne "The Train" Hancock. You couldn't piece together a more impressive resume this side of Jimmy Bryant, Speedy West, Jimmy Day, Buddy Emmons, Junior Brown or Leon McAuliffe. And yes, I cannot forget to include Don Rich. But, you get the idea I hope by seeing the kind of cats these boys hang out, with what to expect from this cd.

It's getting harder and harder to find this cd these days. That's a da*n shame too. But if you like that 40's/50's western swing/hillbilly jazz vibe that was laid down so excellently by some of the names listed above, and which continues to be laid down so sweetly by some of those other names up there, then you will feel right at home with this cd.

It really speaks for itself and you should get it, get it, get it. You will definitely not regret it.

8 of 8 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Wonderful!, April 28, 2000

By	lucas cragg (Saint Paul, Minnesota) - See all my reviews

There's nothing I love better than the sounds of a pedal steel guitar or telecaster twang. Lucky me, that's about all there is on this album. Biller & Wakefield explore the stratospheric possibilities of their instrument, crafting tunes that set my toes a-tappin' and my mind boggling. Sonny Leyland of the Fly-Rite Boys steps in to tickle the ivories, giving this album a very jazzy feel (this really isn't a "country" album). Other guest stars like Big Sandy and Deke and Dave also make very welcome appearances. Now I've got to get my paws on some Speedy West / Jimmy Bryant tunes....

5 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Great! I can't get enough of this cd . . . . ., November 21, 2003

By A Customer

I take this cd everywhere with me. I love the song with Big Sandy, Steal Crazy. Jeremy Wakefield and Dave Biller have such a exciting sound. What more can I say? I love it!!