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Bob Dylan Bob Charles Band The Hellecasters The Time Warp Cowboys "Fallen Angels" "Blue Sky Black" "The Return of the Hellecasters Produced by Jack Frost Producers: Brian Evans, Bob Charles & "No Peddlers Alllowed" Produced by Dan Fredman Produced by Tom Morrell Columbia Records Scott Baker Pacific Arts Audio WR Records Review by Jack Armstrong Independent Release Review by Greg Forest Review by Greg Forest This is Bob Dylan's 37th album Review by Greg Forest Mike Nesmith (you remember, the on Columbia and it's following his recent I first met Bob Charles fresh out Monkey who could actually play an instru- The pedal steel guitar is one of trend for releasing cover songs from the of the Jackie King School of Guitar and he ment) wrangled three of the world's best the base ingredients in country music but 1930s-50s. Its hard to believe that Dylan was already making a name for himself as guitarists and producer Dan Fredman into to take the instrument a step further and is a real crooner but this latest release of a top-notch Central Texas guitar slinger. this studio to produce this Guitarmageddon delve into the lap steel guitar's place in mu- torch songs from a bygone era underline In those days his talent was ap- of scorching guitar work. sic history. Tom Morrell and the Time Warp the rare fact that Bob Dylan has a very parent and Bob was called to many stages Jerry Donahue, Will Ray and John Tophands have done this bring some of the good voice. as a side-man and now, after a few de- Jorgenson are three of the recording indus- world's best steel players together on this Plunging into a deep pool of cades of seasoning, Charles has grown try's "1st Call" session players. Each is a CD that prohibits knee levers and peddles. classic songwriters ranging from Johnny into an artist in his own right playing, sing- master of the instrument and while their The entire CD is some of the best Mercer to Hoagy Carmichael and Sammy ing and composing a tapestry of well craft- styles are remarkably different, they blend Western Swing out there played by the Cahn, this could almost be tribute album to ed tunes. Bob also is displaying something together nicely without stepping on each A-team of lap steel players including Bob Frank Sinatra as old "Blue Eyes" recorded I had overlooked in his early career and others feet (or frets). Nesmith and Fredman White, Tom Morrell, John Ely, Herb Rem- every song on this CD at one time of the that is the fact that he is also a fine singer. should take pride in having pulled together ington, and Bobby Koefer, other except, "Skylark." The range of musical genres is some of the best blistering guitar licks ever This CD is the 7th in the WR Re- A clean but relatively stark pro- painted with a wide palette of sonic colors put to tape (or more accurately hard drive). cord Series, "How the West was Swung," duction by Dylan's road band sets the foun- ranging from tender ballads like, "The Line" Although most of the songs on adding to an already great collection of dation for this easy-listening gem. A voice to funky down home blues like the slide the CD are penned by the Hellecasters, swing recordings. famous for its abrasiveness is now smooth dobro rendition of, "Trouble My World" and there are a few covers that really stand out If you are a fan of the lap steel or as cream and an intimate addition to your the back-beat funk of "Don't Look Good in "Sweet Dreams (of You)" and a damn-the steel guitar, this CD is for you. There is also CD collection. Blue." -torpedoes-full-speed-ahead version of the a sequel available, "Son of No Peddlers Recorded over a year i"Fallen An- No collection of top notch Texas "Orange Blossom Special" that will have Allowed," the 9th CD in the series that fea- gels" was nominated for a 2016 Grammy guitar slingers would be complete without fiddle players dropping their jaws are my tures more of the the same great swing and this year in the Best Traditional Pop Vocal this gem. favorites. is available at Amazon.com category. Great songs from a great artist. 52 Heart Beat of the Texas Hill Country SPRING 2017 texasheartbeat.com Heart Beat of the Texas Hill Country 53