Merch for this release: Vinyl LP
Western swing is the melding of hillbilly sensibilities and folk tunes with the virtuosity of jazz and big band, and it has a very particular and delightful sonic appeal. Rodolphe Guiheux of French label Doghouse and Bone has dedicated a significant portion of his energies to assembling this compilation, which represents the complete recordings of vocalist/guitarist Jimmie Widener, an artist who recorded these excellent examples of the Western swing sound in the 1940s and â50s and then seemingly left the recording industry. Widenerâs style is laid-back and easygoing, both vocally and instrumentally. Tracks like âThereâs a New Day Tomorrowâ have a relaxed and hopeful feel, something in short supply at the moment.