It's a Good Day (Bismeaux, 2010)

Asleep At The Wheel is joined by former Texas Playboys lead singer Leon Rausch on this western swing collection. Rausch, 83, who fronted Bob Wills and the Texas Playboys in the late '50's and early '60's, handles all the lead vocals here with ample help from AATW and friends.

Amongst the stronger tunes are the duet with Willie Nelson on Truck Driver's Blues and the swinging version of Peggy Lee's It's A Good Day. Elizabeth McQueen of AATW joins Rausch on the Joe Williams/Count Basie classic Alright, Okay, You Win , and Ray Benson shares vocals on the Dixieland standard Basin Street Blues.

Other highlights are a jumping rendition of Get Your Kicks (on Route 66), and Rausch's bluesy takes on Earl Hines' Rosetta and Sheb Wooley's Mean Woman With The Green Eyes. The album closes with Osage Stomp, the lone instrumental on which Rausch contributes on electric bass.

With Rausch in fine voice and stellar backing by Asleep At The Wheel, this is an entertaining collection.