The back cover of this 1997 release jokingly calls the artist "America's Favorite Western Dance Combo," but after spinning this groovy platter, you realize that it may not be a joke after all. While the pulsating musical mix blends elements of swing, rockabilly, and the in-between country boogie, Big Sandy (Robert Williams) and his pure tenor croon with polish and flair. What truly makes this record worthwhile is the strong assortment of Sandy originals: "What's It To Ya?" could be right out of the Bob Wills book, "If I Knew Now" sounds remarkably like an early-century pop standard, and "Loser's Blues" calls to mind Merle Travis. The lone cover, Webb Pierce's "Have You Ever Had the Feelin'," is really a reworking of Wills's "Blue Bonnet Rag." All the while, super-fluid guitarist Ashley Kingman and sneaky steel player Lee Jeffriess (who contributes a jaunty instrumental) engage in friendly but formidable sparring. --Marc Greilsamer
Tracklist
1. Big Sandy and his Fly-Rite Boys - The Loser's Blues (2:56)
2. Big Sandy and his Fly-Rite Boys - Feelin' Kinda Lucky (2:52)
3. Big Sandy and his Fly-Rite Boys - Let's Make It.....Tonite! (2:46)
4. Big Sandy and his Fly-Rite Boys - If I Knew Now ( What I Knew Then) (3:13)
5. Big Sandy and his Fly-Rite Boys - What's It To Ya- (2:54)
6. Big Sandy and his Fly-Rite Boys - Have You Ever Had the Feeli' (2:29)
7. Big Sandy and his Fly-Rite Boys - The Greatest Story Ever Told (3:09)
8. Big Sandy and his Fly-Rite Boys - Strange Love (2:56)
9. Big Sandy and his Fly-Rite Boys - I'm Gonna Leave (4:10)
10. Big Sandy and his Fly-Rite Boys - Bugtussle Saturday Night (2:23)
11. Big Sandy and his Fly-Rite Boys - Three Years Blind (3:36)
12. Big Sandy and his Fly-Rite Boys - Have & Hold (2:41)
13. Big Sandy and his Fly-Rite Boys - Big '49 (3:58)
14. Big Sandy and his Fly-Rite Boys - Backdoor Dan (2:51)
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