Bob Wills’ feature film debut including performances with Leon McAuliffe and Tex Ritter. Bob Wills is one of the most important musicians in the history of 20th century country music. The King of Western Swing, Wills’ songs have become an influential part of the repertoire of Willie Nelson, Merle Haggard, Buck Owens, Waylon Jennings, […]
MORE ...Hawaiian Hula Song, a classic. A seductive beauty does the hula while a duo play on guitar and slide. During the last third of the song, the rhythm picks up, becoming swingy. Where Hawaiian traditional and American Jazz meet, practically western swing.
MORE ...In this film, Louis Jordan is going to school you on the difference between now and then, between yesterday and today, between the new and the old. Even back in the 1940’s, this ingenious musician, lyricist and performer, Louis Jordan, had it right. To this day, no one still could disagree & Today You Gotta […]
MORE ...Louis Jordan performs “How Long Must I Wait for You” with his Timpany Five. Considered by some to be no more than a long running novelty act, back in the day he battled Chick Webb and conceived lyrics with wit that rivals Dylan or any modern-day rapper.
MORE ...Ozark Jubilee Boys perform “Whole Lotta Shakin’ Goin’ On” live in this country tinged version of Jerry Lee Lewis’s rhythm & blues hit. Witness rockabilly in the making as this young western swing band goes rock & roll. According to Wikipedia – The origins of the song are disputed, but the writing is co-credited to […]
MORE ...In this clip, western-swing act Jimmy Wakely & the Sunshine Girls perform “You Are My Sunshine.” Jimmy Wakely was a Hollywood B-Western personality. With his career zenith during the studio system, Wakely would star in cowboy matinees and be featured in a comic book series. “You are my Sunshine,” one of the most covered songs […]
MORE ...Tica Ti Tica Ta, produced in 1942, stars “dynamite swing singer” Ginger Harmon and vaudeville dancing team the Mercer Brothers. On April 18, 1942 Billboard’s Movie Machine Reviews writes, “Ginger Harmon and the Mercer Brothers don South American garb for Tica Ti – Tica Ta. Ginger sings well and the nimble Mercer boys contribute a […]
MORE ...In this clip Count Basie gives a rousing rendition with his orchestra of the song He Plays Bass in the Basie Band in 1955.
MORE ...In this clip, from the B Western “Take Me Back to Oklahoma,” Bob Wills and the Texas Playboys croon in perfect harmony ‘Oklahoma we love you’ in an upbeat version of “Good Old Oklahoma” with Wills’ signature backup calls. Riding with Tex Ritter, they sing together ‘Calamity Kate.’ But, clearly, the King of Western Swing […]
MORE ...Bob Wills: Fiddlin’ Man – 1950’s Bob Wills exhibits his master showmanship as both bandleader and musician in this short known as Fiddlin’ Man. Backing the king of western swing, the gum-chewing pianist, the expressionless guitarist, and the giddy drummer make playing with Wills look easy.
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