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Speedy West & Jimmy Bryant
Stratosphere Boogie: The Flaming Guitars of Speedy West &
Jimmy Bryant, Razor & Tie CD RE2067
Your ears will be smiling
"...the greatest guitar-steel duo of all time," say
the liner notes on this release from Razor & Tie Music. I'm
convinced. Stratosphere Boogie collects sixteen of the
over fifty "amazing-futuristic" country-jazz instrumentals
recorded by steel guitarist Speedy West and guitarist Jimmy Bryant
for Capitol Records in the early '50s. They're presented in a
superb package with excellent sound, brilliant liner notes (including
many photos and a detailed sessionography) and a reverent attention
to detail throughout. Razor & Tie could not have done a better
job complementing the dazzling work of these underappreciated
guitar geniuses.
This is exhilarating music from amazing musicians. Though the
material was recorded between 1951 and 1956, it hasn't worn with
age, and in fact manages to sound fresher every time I play it.
West and Bryant's sound is rooted in the country-swing style of
The Texas Playboys and Roy Acuff's Smokey Mountain Boys, with
some Les Paul and a little Spike Jones thrown in for effect. To
these roots they added experimental instruments (triple-neck pedal
steel, double-neck electric 6 and 12 string, the then-new Fender
Telecaster) and innovative playing techniques to produce what
the liner notes aptly describe as "some of the most amazing
amplified instrumental music ever recorded...Bryant's dazzling
country-jazz technique, built around cascades of notes, complex,
bebop-influenced lines and clean, precise picking was complemented
perfectly by West's flamboyant, boisterous steel guitar."
I couldn't have said it better myself.
Today, you can hear their influence on work by artists like the
late Danny Gatton, Bela Fleck and the Flecktones, and perhaps
Junior Brown, but it would be unfair to make any direct comparisons.
West and Bryant were without a doubt the brightest stars in a
genre that has all but vanished. Pick this record up today, enjoy,
and be sure to tell Razor & Tie to keep up the good work. --Jason Staczek
production notes & song titles
Speedy West, pedal steel guitar; Jimmy Bryant, lead guitar; Billy
Strange, rhythm guitar; Les Taylor, piano; Cliffie Stone, bass;
Pee Wee Adams, drums; Al Williams, bass; Billy Liebert, piano;
Roy Harte, drums; Jimmie Widener, rhythm guitar; George Bruns,
bass.
Reissue compiled by Matt Goldman. Liner notes, session information
and sequencing by Rich Kienzle. 1995 compilation (36:28)
Stratosphere Boogie | Blue Bonnet Rag | Cotton Pickin' | Old Joe
Clark | Sleepwalkers Lullaby | Arkansas Traveler | The Night Rider
| Low Man On A Totem Pole | Speedin' West | Comin' On | Bryant's
Bounce | Midnight Ramble | Pickin' Peppers | Shuffleboard Rag
| Bustin' Thru | Flippin' The Lid
of related interest
It is rumored that Bear Family records of Germany will soon be
issuing a boxed set of CDs featuring the complete Speedy West
recordings.
contact info
Razor & Tie Music
PO Box 585
Cooper Station
New York, NY 10276
1-800-443-3555
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