Asleep At The Wheel - The Wheel (1977)

 Asleep at the Wheel is an American country music group that was formed in Paw Paw, West Virginia

Since the early '70s, Asleep at the Wheel have been the most important force in keeping the sound of Western swing alive. In reviving the freewheeling, eclectic sensibility of Western swing godfather Bob Wills, the Wheel have earned enthusiastic critical praise throughout their lengthy career; they have not only preserved classic sounds that had all but disappeared from country music, but have also been able to update the music, keeping it a living, breathing art form. Typically featuring eight to 11 musicians, the group has gone through myriad personnel changes (at last count, over 80 members had passed through their ranks), but frontman Ray Benson has held it together for four decades, keeping Asleep at the Wheel a viable recording and touring concern and maintaining their devotion to classic-style Western swing.  1977´s "The Wheel" finds Asleep at the Wheel consistently making music full of fun, along with fine musicianship and a sense of purpose. Even though anyone can simply enjoy the great batch of tunes on this recording, a more discerning listener can see that there is a higher cause, that being the preservation of Western swing and all the genres present in that form. So whether the cuts are jazz oriented ("The Wheel"), gospel ("Somebody Stole His Body"), or honky tonk ("I Can't Handle It Now"), the band is up to the task. Particularly noteworthy are the musical compositions of rhythm guitarist Leroy Preston and leader Ray Benson's distinctively raspy vocal style. What sets this record above other bands that might want to keep the spirit of Western swing alive is a sense of integrity beneath the surface. However, that sense of purpose is never so heavy-handed that a feeling of festivity is too far away. The sax, fiddle, or accordion solos may be technically sophisticated, but try not dancing to this stuff or tapping your toes and see how far you get. In other words, Asleep at the Wheel has made a fine record that will appeal to both the average fan and serious students of the Western swing tradition.

 

01.  "The Wheel"  (Asleep at the Wheel)  - 4:17  

02.  "I Wonder"  (Leroy Preston)  - 3:25

03.  "Am I High?"  (Ray Benson, Chris O'Connell, Peter Sheridan)  - 4:00  

04.  "A Dollar Short and a Day Late"  (Ray Benson, Kevin Blackie Farrell, Leroy Preston)  - 3:18 

05.  "My Baby Thinks She's a Train"  (Leroy Preston)  - 3:32

06.  "Ragtime Annie"  (Traditional)  - 2:47

07.  "When Love Goes Wrong"  (Leroy Preston)  - 2:54

08.  "Somebody Stole His Body"  (Leroy Preston)  - 2:46

09.  "Let's Face Up Kevin"  (Blackie Farrell, Leroy Preston)  - 3:16 

10.  "I Can't Handle It Now"  (Leroy Preston)  - 3:16

11.  "Red Stick"  - 3:02

Release:  1977

Label:  Capitol Records

Genre:  Country, Western Swing Revival

Length:  36:33

Producer (s):  Asleep At The Wheel, Tommy Allsup

Credits

Ray Benson - lead guitar & vocals

Chris O´Connell - guitar & vocals

Leroy Preston - guitar & vocals

Lucky Oceans - pedal steel guitar

Floyd Domino - piano

Tony Garnier - bass

Danny Levin - fiddle & mandolin

Bill Mabry - fiddle

Link Davis Jr. - alto & tenor sax, cajun accordion, vocals

Patrick (Taco) Ryan - alto & tenor sax, clarinet

Chris York - drums; & guest vocals on "Somebody Stole His Body"