Tex Williams

Let's Go Rockabilly

(Bear Family)

For many years. this author has been a fan of Tex Williams. His music is indispensible for any afficianado of western swing and related genres. This important Bear Family album comes just in time, too; Williams' LPs are long out of print, and I've depended on a cassette for decades.

This is an excellent compendium, but it is misleadingly named. Yes, there is a song here called "Let's Go Rockabilly." But it seems an awkward and uncharacteristic marketing attempt. It is not representative of the disc, or of the star's usual music.

Tex first earned 1940s fame with Spade Cooley's band, and later as a solo performer. 

The band he assembled (some of whom had followed the singer after a jealous Cooley fired him) was an exceptional one in the western swing world. Legends Jimmy Bryant and Speedy West sat in on "Wild Card."

The group "attained an enviable level of fluid interplay between electric and steel guitars, fiddles, bass, accordian, trumpet, and other instruments..." recalled All Music. 

Williams was not alone among established country musicians who sought to remain relevant, and professionally viable, given the early 1950s' stylistic permutation. But his trademark, deep baritone talking-blues delivery wasn't well suited to the new music. 

Hence, the best tracks here aren't rockabilly at all. There are several uptempo tracks that do rock, after a genteel fashion, but there is nary a hiccup to be found. Sam Phillips had no reason for concern.

Tex's standard fare was more in a western swing vein, with his talking blues style a recognizable feature. Most material here is reflective of that. 

He is not as widely remembered as contemporaries the Maddox Brothers or Bob Wills. But his unique and inspirational (ask Commander Cody)  oeuvre is aptly presented. 

Just don't call it rockabilly.

Recommended: "Hey, Mr. Cottonpicker," "Money," "This Ole House," "Sidetracked," "Air Mail Special," "Wild Card," "Rancho Boogie," "Smoke Smoke Smoke (That Cigarette)," "San Antonio Rose," "Every Night," "Talkin' To The Blues," "Revival Is On It's Way," "Ballad Of Thunder Road," "Talkin' Boogie" (live)

Video: "The Talkin' Boogie"

Bear Family