Swingin' West (HighTone, 1995)

Hang onto your hats, boys and girls, and go along for the ride. This is the hottest western swing band since Asleep At The Wheel did Bob Wills. If they have a weak moment, it's on their one slow tune (Cochran's "A Healer Like Time"). They may not be balladeers, but they're swingers; this CD is Hank Thompson fused with Wills. Like most of the Texas Playboys work, no one song stands out, but the overall effort is worth the money. Big Sandy isn't the strongest singer in the business, but you buy Strait to hear Strait; you buy Big Sandy to hear the amalgamation. The instrumental work is strong from all the musicians (take off guitar, steel, bass, snare with a piano and fiddle added for the CD) and they'll keep your toe tapping from start to finish. If you like swing, this has to be on your buy list.