The Essential Bob Wills: 1935-1947
The Essential Bob Willsmight more accurately be calledThe Essential Bob Wills and His Texas Playboys. While Wills was certainly the charismatic stage presence, talent scout, songwriter, and Western-swing mastermind, the Playboys--one of the best bands to ever grace this earth--most shine on these early sides. From horn-heavy, big-band-inspired recordings such as "Osage Stomp" and "Right or Wrong" to fiddle-driven, closer-to-country classics such as "Take Me Back to Tulsa" and "Stay a Little Longer," it was primarily the incomparable playing of pianist Al Stricklin, steel legend Leon McAuliffe, and the other Playboys, not to mention the smoother-than-smooth vocals of the great Tommy Duncan, that made this band the Southwest's flagship two-steppin' outfit and that make these 20 tracks truly "essential."--David Cantwell