Anthology 1935-1973
Building on the sacred tradition of the Texas fiddle band, Wills's Western swing became country music's answer to big-band jazz. Wills gave his Playboys ample room for advanced improvisation, adding instruments (drums, horns, piano, electric guitar) that were not associated with country music. He drew on a variety of styles--not just fiddle tunes and jazz standards, but also polka, blues, mariachi, and Dixieland--punctuating the music with his light-hearted exhortations. This 2 CD compilation provides an overview of his career: from his early Columbia hits with steel guitarist Leon McAuliffe and rhythm guitarist Eldon Shamblin to his final 1973 session, which he conducted from a wheelchair. For those wanting to delve deeper, Columbia's box set and Rhino's nine-volumeTiffany Transcriptionsfocus more thoroughly on Wills's prime.--Marc Greilsamer