Vintage Collections
After Spade Cooley gave him the boot, smooth vocalist Tex Williams purloined most of his former boss's band and went on to create some of Western swing's most potent records. 1947's "Smoke! Smoke! Smoke! (That Cigarette)" became Capitol's first million-selling record, which in turn inspired other attempts at talking-blues novelty hits (many of which are included here). For this, Williams was often dismissed as a novelty act, but these smoldering cuts say otherwise. Musicians such as guitarist Johnny Weis and steel player Joaquin Murphey were top-flight pickers; even guitar whiz Jimmy Bryant joins in on one song. Despite the densely packed bandstand--filled with multiple fiddles, harp, accordion, piano, trumpet, even vibes--the music never sounds cluttered and the band still generates considerable momentum. Spearheaded by Williams's mellow vocals, the Caravan fires through swing standards, traditionals, hot instrumentals, and the occasional ballad.--Marc Greilsamer