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"Ride With Bob"
Ride with Bob is the new and improved
sequel to Asleep At the Wheel's star-studded 1993 effort, Tribute
to the Music of Bob Wills & the Texas Playboys. The playing
behind the high-profile guest vocalists is hotter and looser
this time, with plenty of solo space and Wheel's Ray Benson assuming
Wills's jovial ringleader role. Merle Haggard delivers a wild
falsetto version of "St. Louis Blues" backed by the
Squirrel Nut Zippers' horns, and Willie Nelson steps out with
the Manhattan Transfer on "Going Away Party." Steve
Wariner and Vince Gill trade fluid guitar licks on "Bob's
Breakdown," Lyle Lovett and Shawn Colvin share a mic on
"Faded Love," and the Dixie Chicks romp through "Roly
Poly." All of the the Wheel's recordings have been tributes
to Wills's Western-swing legacy in one way or another, but this
is as close as they've come to distilling the timeless essence
of the sound. --Rick Mitchell |
Customer review from Amazon
Reviewer: cheerfulkj@aol.com from Washington,
D.C.
First the cover caught my eye, then
the list of all star guests from Shawn Colvin to Lyle Lovett
to Reba McEntire. As an easterner who grew up on pop music, I
didn't know a thing about the Wheel's or Bob Wills, I am embarrassed
to say. But after listening to this CD many times, I want to
know more. Every song is a gem. Some will break your heart; try
"Faded Love" with Shawn Colvin and Lyle Lovett. Others
will make you laugh; try "Roly Poly" with the Dixie
Chicks. The whole thing is evocative of another time, from "San
Antonio Rose" with Dwight Yoakum to and "St. Louis
Blues" with Merle Haggard. If you've tired of pop music
like I have and turned to other forms like jazz and swing for
listening entertainment, you'll love this album. Plus the liner
notes are so creative and fun to read (really)! Thanks to Roy
Benson and Asleep at the Wheel for a real treat. |
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