Asleep At The Wheel - The Wheel

“And now for something completely different.”

Okay, maybe not completely different, but a bit out of my wheelhouse.

I managed to get out to Redrum Records a while back, and the dollar bin was good to me. Goodness mercy me, this was some fun. I’m not generally a big country guy, but I do have a soft spot for Texas Swing, and boy howdy, Asleep at the Wheel delivered the goods.

The album charges out of the chute with the title track, a rollicking instrumental bordering on countrified big band  - hence the swing label - and from there I was treated to a bevy of songs that were just so good. The band was literally a big band, boasting eleven members in the credits: not one but two fiddle players, along with mandolin, accordion, clarinet, sax, upright bass, pedal steel, and three guitars. Big band, big fun.

I really liked how the album opened both sides with instrumentals. Side one kicks off with the jazz swing of “The Wheel,” which set the tone beautifully, while side two opens with a twist on the traditional “Ragtime Annie” that was equally enjoyable. The arrangements throughout never sat still. I also really liked how varied the songs were. It was never boring and never the same thing twice.

The band was blessed with a trio of vocalists: Ray Benson, Chris O’Connell, and Leroy Preston. Mister Benson handled lead guitar, while Chris and Leroy rounded out the six-string trio. Leroy wrote or co-wrote seven of the album’s tracks, my favourite being “Somebody Stole His Body,” a great song that felt equal parts hymn and Southern spiritual. I suppose they’re essentially the same thing.

I had mentioned the vocalists, and boy howdy, I loved Chris’ tone. It felt like she took the best bits of The Andrews Sisters and Patsy Cline and came up with something all her own.

The album was produced by the legendary Tommy Allsup, once a member of The Crickets and Buddy Holly’s lead guitar player. From what I’ve read, The Wheel was essentially recorded live off the floor, which feels right. There’s something about the looseness of the band and the way they interact with one another that sounds like a musical trust fall. All the pieces work together.

This generally isn’t what I reach for when I want to hear something, but there are times when I need a little something different, and this certainly fit the bill.

What a treat.