Along with Bob Wills and Merle Travis, the golden baritone vocalist Tex Williams was one of the most prodigious and successful of the Western Swing artists. And did he swing!
This two disc album features his post Spade Cooley years, ranging form 1946-51, and the 54 tunes range from hard hitting Count Basie-esque pulses to fun and frivolous polka’s and a barrel full of fun novelty tunes that mix hilarious tales with bopping strings and horn. Some amazingly hot trumpet solos by Don Linder or George Wendt are as hip as any jazz contemporary on the smoking and fun “Smoke! Smoke! Smoke!” or “Miss Molly” with some Chet Atkins inspired guitar work by Jimmy Bryant on “Talking Boogie.” Williams himself has a classic Midwest avuncular drawl, able to be jovial on ”That’s What I Like About The West” and going bel canto on “I Cry Myself To Sleep.” But the real joy of this genre are all of the toe tapping tongue in cheekers such as “The Traveling Salesman Polka,” “Never Trust A Woman” the totally and wonderfully politically incorrect “Don’t Telephone, Don’t Telegraph (Tell A Woman)” or “Black Strap Molasses (Wheat Germ Bread).” They would win you over with a smile, and then swing so hard your shoes would wear out doing the two step. When did country and pop music stop being this enjoyable?