Billy Jack Wills & His Western Swing Band
Bob Wills's youngest brother had assembled a top-quality band of his own in the early 1950s, and these 19 radio transcriptions (from KFBK) certainly attest to the group's brilliance. Spearheaded by Wills (on vocals and drums), Bob's former Playboy Tiny Moore (on electric mandolin and vocals), and young pedal steel whiz Vance Terry, this band dominated the Sacramento Western swing scene with a typically diverse repertoire, dynamic arrangements, and fierce drive. Material came from classic old blues standards, R&B;, country, and jazz greats such as Duke Ellington, Woody Herman, Artie Shaw, and Benny Goodman, as well as brother Bob's songbook.--Marc Greilsamer