ATOMIC
The Magazine Articles Reviews The Bar ATOMIC Girls Gallery Venues Bands Retro Radio Forums Shopping
   


eBay


History Channel.com

Big-T & the Bada-Bings

 
 

Saddle Up & Boogie
Western Swing With a Zing

Western Swing With a Zing, new out from Saddle Up & Boogie, is aptly named, and will delight swing fans with its imminently danceable tunes. There is something to be said for clear, controlled vocals and happily precise instrumentation. The band is crisp, and this collection fosters appreciation of the unique, meticulous sound of Patti Maxine's steel guitar and the sweet, purposeful vocals of singer Stella D'Oro.

"Sadie Green" and "All Your Fault" are bouncy, fun pieces, while the more sedate "Who Walks In" and "Anytime" allow the marvelous Maxine to strut her stuff on the steel guitar. However, what the vocals accomplish in their appealing clarity on these thoughtful selections, they sometimes lose in a lack of emotive soul—but then, it's hard to sound like Patsy Cline and still swing. This is no slight to Schlotterbeck, Bohn, and McLaughlin, who present a polished framework through which D'Oro weaves the lyrics. On a whole, the band presents itself in a relaxed and comfortable manner, as opposed to the in-your-face energy of many neo-swing ensembles.

Standout tracks include "Georgia Boogie" and the very catchy "There'll Be Some Changes Made", the latter song having already hit #1 on the Swing Top 40 chart. D'Oro seems to take great pleasure in singing "Cowgal Blues", and her enthusiasm adds to the listener¹s enjoyment of the lyrics. The obligatory standard "Is You Is", presented in the context of Western Swing, offers a refreshing and decidedly unique interpretation. Special guest musician Dennis English calls attention to himself on the fiddle in a jumping number titled, "My Window Faces the South."

Overall, this album is memorable and polished. The friendly presentation of its melodies makes it a good bet for a wide age group of listeners or dancers. Let this CD be the cowboy hat in your swing collection.

—Frankie Hagan

Visit the band online at http://www.saddleupandboogie.com



Year 1999 Reviews
Year 2000 Reviews
Year 2001 Reviews
Year 2002 Reviews
Year 2003 Reviews
Alex Pangman—Can't Stop Me From Dreaming
The Aqua Velvets—Radio Waves
The Beau Hunks—Original Laurel & Hardy Music of LeRoy Shield
Cave Catt Sammy—Love Me Like Crazy
Cigar Store Indians—Guest List
Darrin Stout and the Starlighters—Debut
Dave's True Story—Dave's True Story
Deanna Storey—Sometimes I'm Happy
Devil Doll—Queen of Pain
Eight To The Bar—Hey, Sailor!
Fat Cats—Keeping Up With the Dow Joneses
Ingrid Lucia—Fortune
Jimmy Luxury—Hotels, Limousines and Lawn Chairs
Jon Rauhouse—Jon Rauhouse's Steel Guitar Air show
King Pleasure & The Biscuit Boys—Let 'Em Roll
Lascivious Biddies—Biddie-luxe!
The Moonlighters—Hello Heartstring
Ray Gelato Giants—Smokin'
Rocket 350—American Grease
Ronnie Magri and his New Orleans Jazz Band—Shim Sham Revue
Rumblejetts—Dry County
Saddle Up & Boogie—Western Swing With a Zing!
Skip Heller—Career Suicide: The Essential Skip Heller 1994-2001
 

Retro Reading Reviews
James Bond Movie Posters:
The Official 007 Collection
Lester Leaps In
Long Time Coming: A Photographic Portrait of America, 1935-1945
Marilyn
Pink Think: Becoming A Woman In Many Uneasy Lessons
That's Amore: A Son Remembers Dean Martin
Trash: The Graphic Genius of Xploitation Movie Posters
 


© 1999-2009 ATOMIC Magazine, Inc.
ATOMIC Magazine Inc., 917 Orchid Drive , Lewisville, TX 75067
info@atomicmag.com
All site content, including images and text, is copyright © 1999-2013 ATOMIC Magazine, Inc. & www.RetroRadar.com
This material may not be reproduced, borrowed, or used for any purpose except by written permission of the copyright holder. Terms and Conditions of use.