LISTEN – Bob Wills and His Texas Playboys: Legends of Country Music

Bob Wills and His Texas Playboys: Legends of Country Music [Columbia/Legacy – $39.98]

In his rowdy Texas way, Bob Wills was just as avant-garde as any other musician America has ever had. No one did more for country music than Bob Wills, and no one is more in need of a revival. Here’s hoping that enough music pros get hold of this set and decide that the true strength of country music is its ability to absorb other styles without merely aping them. Or maybe it’ll just get someone to come up with a “New New San Antonio Rose”. Or maybe it’ll just help a lot of people dance while drunk. Either way, this is a much-needed document of some of the best music ever made in the U.S.A…. and it’s a hell of a lot of fun. The packaging here is amazing, with tons of rare photos and documents like a telegram from Irving Berlin congratulating Wills on the success of the first “San Antonio Rose”. There are also extensive notes for each track, giving anecdotes as well as facts about the tracks. The design is perfect and fun and respectful, and the CDs won’t even fall out. [Amazon]

Full PopMatters review

Merle Haggard with the Texas Playboys – Tribute to Bob Wills

Bob Wills – San Antonio Rose