Formed in 1969, Asleep at the Wheel were one of the first bands (along with Commander Cody & His Lost Planet Airmen) of the hippie generation to look back to American roots music traditions like Western swing and boogie-woogie.
They released their debut album in 1973 and this self-titled release the following year. Their twanged-up version of the old Louis Jordan R&B tune "Choo Choo Ch'Boogie" became a minor country hit, giving them their first-ever chart placement, and making country fans start to take notice of these scruffy but sincere traditionalists. Over the years, the band has become best known for its Western swing revivalism, and that blend of country and jazz is undoubtedly prominent here, from a Nashville take on Count Basie's "Jumpin' at the Woodside" to Cindy Walker's "Miss Molly" and Hank Penny's "Blood-Shot Eyes". The multitude of styles on this album is indicative of the path they would follow throughout their long career. Alongside Western swing there are ballads in the classic country style like "Our Names Aren't Even Mentioned (Together Anymore)" and "Last Letter," as well as honky tonk tunes like "Dead Man" and a country version of Fats Domino's "I'm Gonna Be a Wheel Someday".
This album was released as a package with the album Bob Wills Special by Bob Wills And His Texas Playboys.
Tracks
Asleep At The Wheel
Choo Choo Ch'Boogie, You And Me Instead, Jumpin' At The Woodside, Last Letter, Don't Ask Me Why (I'm Going To Texas), The Kind Of Love I Can't Forget, I'm Gonna Be A Wheel Someday, Our Names Aren't Mentioned (Together Anymore), Miss Molly, Blood-Shot Eyes, Dead Man
Bob Wills And His Texas Playboys
San Antonio Rose, Trouble In Mind, Take Me Back To Tulsa, Big Beaver, Roly-Poly, I Can't Go On This Way, Time Changes Everything, Miss Molly, The Convict And The Rose, New San Antonio Rose
Album Review
