Legends of Western Swing Guitar – Various

Featuring: Eldon Shamblin, Billy Dozier, Bob Kiser, Jim Boyd, Cameron Hill, Jimmy Wyble, Benny Garcia, Art Greenhaw, Tommy Morrell, “Junior” Barnard & Muriel “Zeke” Campbell

The guitar in Western Swing holds a particularly important place. Many guitarists have made major contributions in the field, but the cornerstone remains Eldon Shamblin, whom Rolling Stone magazine once called the “World’s Best Rhythm Guitarist.” His sophisticated, swinging and moving chords forever impacted the music. Coupled with him were early lead players like Muriel “Zeke” Campbell, who performed dazzling single-string solos on records up to two years before Charlie Christian joined the Benny Goodman Sextet.

As a genre of music, Western Swing is a unique blend of jazz, blues, cowboy, western, gospel, and Spanish sounds. The repertory of any Western Swing band includes tunes associated with each of these schools of music, but a consistent style flows through every performance. The roots of Western Swing are not easy to trace. Most pinpoint the Light Crust Doughboys (formed circa 1931) of Fort Worth, Texas as the first example.

Legends Of Western Swing Guitar presents the playing of Eldon Shamblin, Billy Dozier, Bob Kiser, Muriel “Zeke” Campbell, Benny Garcia, Cameron Hill, Jimmy Wyble and Junior Barnard in rare black & white archival films from the 1940s to recent performances recorded in color from the last decade. As well Tommy Morrell, a guitarist of a younger generation, is also included. His playing highlights not just the passing of a flame but new places the torch can be carried.

Titles include:

1. The Kind of Love I Can’t Forget- Eldon, Billy Dozier, and Bob Kiser

2. Oh Susannah/Tiger Rag- Light Crust Doughboys (Muriel “Zeke” Campbell, guitar)

3. Milk Cow Blues- Eldon Shamblin and Benny Garcia (with Tommy Perkins on drums and Norm Cochran on bass)

4. Amazing Grace- Eldon Shamblin and Tommy Morrell

5. Stay A Little Longer- Bob Wills and the Texas Playboys (with Cameron Hill, rhythm guitar and Jimmy Wyble, lead guitar)

6. Stardust- Eldon Shamblin, Billy Dozier, and Bob Kiser

7. If the World Keeps on Turning- Muriel “Zeke” Campbell with Art Greenhaw on rhythm guitar

8. Tennessee Waltz- Eldon Shamblin and Tommy Morrell

9. San Antonio Rose- Eldon Shamblin and Benny Garcia (with Tommy Perkins on drums and Norm Cochran on bass)

10. It Had To Be- Eldon Shamblin and Tommy Morrell

11. Hubbin’ It- Bob Wills and the Texas Playboys (with Junior Barnard on guitar)

12. Faded Love- Eldon Shamblin, Billy Dozier, and Bob Kiser

13. Back Home Again in Indiana- Eldon Shamblin and Tommy Morrell

14. Rosetta- Eldon Shamblin and Benny Garcia (with Tommy Perkins on drums and Norm Cochran on bass)

15. Maiden’s Prayer- Eldon Shamblin, Billy Dozier, and Bob Kiser

16. Ridin’ on Down- Bob Wills and the Texas Playboys (with Junior Barnard on guitar)

17. Miss the Mississippi and You- Muriel “Zeke” Campbell (with Art Greenhaw on rhythm guitar)

18. There’ll Never Be Another You- Eldon Shamblin and Tommy Morrell

19. Time Changes Everything- Eldon Shamblin, Billy Dozier, and Bob Kiser

20. Now or Never- Jim Boyd and His Men of the West

21. Panhandle Rag- Eldon Shamblin, Billy Dozier, and Bob Kiser

22. I Hear You Talkin’- Bob Wills and the Texas Playboys (with Junior Barnard on guitar)

23. San Antonio Rose- Eldon Shamblin, Billy Dozier, and Bob Kiser