Radio Favorites [EP]
Not sure why Sandy and the Boys decided to squeeze out this measly EP (under 20 minutes) rather than craft a regular long-player? After all, there hasn't been a full-length BS & HFRB release since 1997's superFeelin' Kinda Lucky; in 1998, Big Sandy released a solo album of doo-wop and R&B; (Dedicated to You) while the Fly-Rite Boys produced their own sparklingcountry-jazz record. Maybe Sandy just couldn't wait to get all the troops back into the studio together because the six Sandy originals here find his collective reaching new heights. There's stomping boogie-woogie,Merle Travis-inspired fingerpicking novelties, and Western swing rave-ups--all delivered with an ease and sophistication that they've never quite found before. And they were damn good before.--Marc Greilsamer