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Topic: So what makes Western Swing "Swing"??? |
Bill Hatcher
From:
Atlanta Ga. USA
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Posted 6 May 2007 6:57 pm |
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Charlie McDonald
From:
out of the blue
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Posted 7 May 2007 4:05 am
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I've heard Eldon Shamblin, late of Bob Wills, described as "The Best Rhythm Guitarist Alive" (altho he's no longer with us). It makes me think that to swing, you've got to have a strong backbeat to anchor the action.
By the way, I knew Eldon; he was a piano tuner when he wasn't gigging, and preceeded me at Cain's. He was the finest fellow you could ever meet.
_________________
Those that say don't know; those that know don't say.--Buddy Emmons |
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Herbie Meeks
From:
Arkansas, USA
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Posted 7 May 2007 6:00 am Swing
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Don't know how to put it in words.
We played the swing with just a good "Sock Rythum Elec Guitar" and Dog House Bass. good rythum guitarists was hard to find.
Also the Vocalist, and the instrumentalist,
could swing most any song/tune without the background rythum having to change,
later came the Elec. Bass. and Drums,
This did not change the Artists ability to SWING
most any song/tune
Herb M |
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Janice Brooks
From:
Pleasant Gap Pa
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Posted 7 May 2007 7:24 am
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| Keep it up guys |
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Shane Reilly
From:
Melbourne, Australia
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Posted 8 May 2007 10:41 am
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Hey Charlie,I read that Eldon had no background in country before joining Bob Wills as he was into Benny Goodman,Tommy Dorsey and Charlie Christian ,very interesting.He went on to arrange for Bob and therefore influence WS greatly with his jazzy arrangements.So I'd have to agree the simlpest description of WS is jazz with a country rhythm(and steel and fiddles....and steel).No matter what you call it ,it's still great music.Eldon would have had some great stories and advice,if you see this and have any morsels that'd be cool Charlie,cheers  Shane. |
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John Steele
From:
Renfrew, Ontario, Canada
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Posted 8 May 2007 12:18 pm
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Although it's assumed that western swing "borrowed" the feel from existing swing music, many music historians dispute that, and assert that they developed independently at the same time.
One author (I think it was Schuller) remarks, upon listening to two early 30's recordings, one of Earl "Fatha" Hines big band and one from Bob Wills, that the rhythm sections are almost indistinguishable from one another. Interesting.
-John |
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Jim Bob Sedgwick
From:
Clinton, Missouri USA
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Posted 8 May 2007 8:12 pm
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| I always had the opinion (Possibly Wrong) that Western Swing came from the big bands. Same beats, just adapted the melodies to strings instead of horns, thereby giving the genre a slightly different sound. Some Western Swing bands did use a few horns, though.... Bob Wills carried some horns and Hank Thompson band had Dubert Dobson, great trumpet player. |
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Charlie McDonald
From:
out of the blue
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Posted 9 May 2007 3:19 am
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Shane, I wouldn't be surprised at what you say, since swing is swing, and country swing is 'cow jazz.' Doubtless, his extensive knowledge of jazz chords and voicings contributed quite a bit to the sound of the Playboys, not to mention his impeccable rhythm.
Eldon was no cowboy, just a cool dude, and not one to brag on his place in the band. I just wish he were here to add to this.
_________________
Those that say don't know; those that know don't say.--Buddy Emmons |
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Shane Reilly
From:
Melbourne, Australia
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Posted 9 May 2007 4:34 am
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"Cow Jazz"  I think I stepped in some this morning in the paddock.But it wasn't swingin' ,it was pretty funky.Cheers,Shane. |
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Jim Bob Sedgwick
From:
Clinton, Missouri USA
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Posted 17 May 2007 8:51 pm
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| Does that make Asleep at the Wheel a Heavy Leather Band? |
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James Morehead
From:
Prague, Oklahoma, USA - R.I.P.
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Posted 18 May 2007 4:35 pm
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Jim Bob, If ASLEEP AT THE WHEEL are a heavey leather band, they are very well tooled!!  |
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Fred Shannon
From:
Rocking "S" Ranch, Comancheria, Texas, R.I.P.
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Posted 20 May 2007 4:44 pm
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Western Swing "Swings" simply because the Rhythm Section contains the LEAD INSTRUMENTS in the musical presentation of the song. Take away the bass, rhythm guitar, and drums and you have just another song to listen to. Put them back into the mix and you have music that people simply cannot sit still and listen to. Simple as that. Plus you have musicians that refuse to let it go stale.
Phred |
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Donny Hinson
From:
Glen Burnie, Md. U.S.A.
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Posted 21 May 2007 1:10 am
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Even a solo violin can swing!
Of course, the rhythm section is very important, being the "backdrop" of the western-swing style, as it were. But, IMHO, I think that the syncopated melody line is equally as important. Those minute differences in note timing and phrasing (done by the lead instruments) is where the "swing feeling" really starts.  |
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