Ride With Bob
Ride with Bobis the new and improved sequel to Asleep at the Wheel's star-studded 1993 effort,Tribute to the Music of Bob Wills & the Texas Playboys. The playing behind the high-profile guest vocalists is hotter and looser this time, with plenty of solo space and the Wheel's Ray Benson assuming Wills's jovial ringleader role.Merle Haggarddelivers a wild falsetto version of "St. Louis Blues" backed by theSquirrel Nut Zippers' horns, andWillie Nelsonsteps out with theManhattan Transferon "Going Away Party."Steve WarinerandVince Gilltrade fluid guitar licks on "Bob's Breakdown,"Lyle LovettandShawn Colvinshare a mic on "Faded Love," and theDixie Chicksromp through "Roly Poly." All of Asleep at the Wheel's recordings have been tributes to Wills's Western-swing legacy in one way or another, but this is as close as they've come to distilling the timeless essence of the sound.--Rick Mitchell