Swingin' Strings, Stanton

Been a fair stretch since I've thrown up either an instrumental or an lp... this oughtta take care of both.

SWINGIN' STRINGS - Recollections (Milestone 1)

I think it was ol' Andy Brown who might have coined the term "local charm". I took that to be a way to pay at least some respect to albums such as this one by the Swingin' Strings. Though it might not compare to bigger or even more adventurous artists, within the realm of regional or even more local recordings it certainly isn't horrible.



Recorded for the Stanton, Texas Milestone label in 1980 Recollections is 16 tracks of safe, paint-by-numbers standards. Nothing really stands out and even on potentially uncomfortable moments - like the drum machine that pops up on a track or two- everything is very much okay. The Swingin' Strings trio audience was probably limited to local civic functions / luncheons and senior center afternoons. That's certainly a far cry from the honky tonks and dance halls where lead guitarist Jack Price cut his chops while briefly backing Big Spring's Hoyle Nix. Jack hits a few snazz'd up licks here and there, but never really stretches out. There's a few moments on the old warhorse "Navajo Trail" where it sounds like he just MIGHT let loose, but he holds back. The Goodman standard "Slipped Disc" gives Price's fingers a workout, but it is perhaps a song better left to a bigger combo. Though certainly not horrible, neither will it necessarily pull one's attention from the pages of a Sunday afternoon book. I'm not sure of the pedigree of Jess Miles (rhythm accompaniment) nor Billie Miles (bass) but this is, as much as it can be, Jack's show.