Customer Rating: 
Summary: Vassar and the Boys Stretch Out
Comment: During the '70's, fiddlin' Vassar Clements was in such high demand as a side man that it was damned near impossible to purchase an album that did NOT feature his remarkable playing.In addition to his key roles in ground breaking efforts such as "Will the Circle be Unbroken" and "Old and in the Way", Vassar made the rounds among such disparate pop stars as Paul McCartney, Elvin Bishop, and Dickie Betts - and put out some product of his own, as well. "Hillbilly Jazz" mostly features the Bob Wills/Texas swing side of Vassar's playing, ably assisted by a strong backup group featuring David Bromberg on acoustic and slide guitars and some great pedal steel work by Doug Jerrigan. In addition to covering the Wills hits "San Antonio Rose" and "Take Me Back to Tulsa", there's a great version of Benny Goodman's "Breakfast Feud" (Jerrigan particularly shines on this one), a bluesy "Sittin' on Top of the World", and closes with a gorgeous instrumental version of Bromberg's "Last Song for Shelby Jean." What really makes this collection work is while there's some wonderful picking going on, nothing ever sounds forced. The vocals (shared by Vassar and Gordon Terry) give the session a relaxed feel that someone still keeps the listener's attention.
This effort is a must-have for fans of Vassar, and a whole lotta fun for fans of swing, country, and bluegrass music.
Customer Rating:
Summary: Wow, it's on CD
Comment: I purchased the vinyl version of this album in 1979 after first hearing it at the Maintenance Shop, a bar/music venue on the Iowa State University campus. I've long entertained the notion of purchasing a new turntable just so I could listen to it again. What a pleasure to find it on CD ! A perfect introduction to road house country and bluegrass...
Customer Rating:
Summary: Superb!
Comment: This is Bar-B-que music at it's best. The line up is incredible! Lovers of Vassar Clements take note, he had some good recording days making this one. Bromberg was cooking along with the others, I bought it for the Vassar element, but this recording is just S'wonderful, Texas Swing players like Strait and Gimbel, Asleep at the Wheel etc... probably all own a copy and should. This is a masterpiece, in a live-sounding setting. Dig in and enjoy!
