Search - Various Artists :: Legends of Western Swing

For anyone interested in discovering the powder-keg musical melange known as Western swing, this 18-song compilation serves as a wonderful primer. All of the genre's major figures are represented, and the package offers detailed notes about the gestation of Western swing and about all of the artists included. However, there is also much for longtime fans to savor here, thanks to a well-chosen program that includes many out-of-print classics and songs from lesser-known talents. In addition, it's interesting to note how many of the same vital yet unheralded musicians keep popping up across bands and years. What comes across clearly is a musical style that balances instrumental virtuosity, pop sensibility, and carefree hilarity like no other. The collection also shows the dramatic range of possibilities the genre offers: everything from pared-down quartets to sprawling orchestras, from pop ditties to gritty blues to modern-edged jazz, from tight arrangements to wheeling improvisation. --Marc Greilsamer