The second album by Asleep at the Wheel was the first to feature bassist Tony Garnier, who replaced Gene Dobkin in early 1974 and would remain with the band for several years. It was also the only album to feature the group's first full-time fiddler Richard "Corky" Casanova, who joined in time for the album's recording but left shortly after its release. Guest contributors include Johnny Gimble on fiddle and mandolin, Andy Stein on saxophone and fiddle, and Mickey Raphael on harmonica.
Like its predecessor, Asleep at the Wheel failed to register on any national or international record charts. However, the band did register on the US BillboardHot Country Songs chart for the first time, when second single "Choo Choo Ch'Boogie" (originally recorded by the Tympany Five) registered at number 69 in December 1974. Critical reviews of the album were generally positive, with commentators praising the breadth of musical styles on the record and its place within Western swing.
After being dropped by United Artists, Asleep at the Wheel signed a deal with Epic Records in May 1974.[2] For the recording of their first album on the label, the band wanted to work again with Tommy Allsup, who produced their 1973 debut Comin' Right at Ya; however, Don Ellis, head of Epic at the time, assigned Norris "Norro" Wilson to the project.[3] Sessions took place in Nashville, Tennessee again, this time at Columbia Studio B.[3] Speaking about the recording process, frontman Ray Benson recalled that Wilson "let us do what we wanted", describing it as "a good experience".[4] The album was released in September 1974.[5]
The Asleep at the Wheelalbum cover features a photograph of the seven-piece band in front of a vintage 1938 Cadillac, which was taken in Austin, Texas shortly after the band relocated there from Oakland, California.[6] The album was the band's first to feature bassist Tony Garnier, who replaced Gene Dobkin before recording began.[4] It was also the only album to feature the group's first full-time fiddler Richard "Corky" Casanova, who joined for the recording and was credited as an official member on the album sleeve.[7] Two tracks from Asleep at the Wheel were issued as singles in 1974: "You and Me Instead" and "Choo Choo Ch'Boogie".[8][9]
Critical response to Asleep at the Wheel was generally positive. In an uncredited review, Cash Box magazine credited the band for the "gaining momentum" of progressive country, stating: "The group has gained considerable repute for their live act and their first album for Epic marks a worthy label debut as these seven dyed-in-the-wool country buffs confidently rip their way through numbers like "Choo Choo Ch'Boogie," "I'm Gonna Be a Wheel Someday," and "Bloodshot Eyes.""[12]
In a retrospective review for website AllMusic, James Allen gave Asleep at the Wheel three and a half out of five stars, praising the "multitude of styles" present on the record including Western swing, jazz and honky-tonk.[10] Music critic Robert Christgau gave the album a B rating, lower than the A− awarded to Comin' Right at Ya, comparing it to the style of Bob Wills.[1]Cash Box praised "You and Me Instead" as "sweet",[8] and hailed "Choo Choo Ch'Boogie" as "an infectious shuffle".[9]
Benson, Ray; Menconi, David (October 2015), Comin' Right at Ya: How a Jewish Yankee Hippie Went Country, or, the Often Outrageous History of Asleep at the Wheel, Austin, Texas: University of Texas Press, ISBN978-0292756588
^Goodman, Arty (May 18, 1974). "For the Record: Passing Remarks" (PDF). Cash Box. Vol. 36, no. 1. New York City, New York: Cash Box. p. 18. Retrieved June 10, 2020.
^ ab"Country Reviews: Singles" (PDF). Cash Box. Vol. 36, no. 17. New York City, New York: Cash Box. September 7, 1974. p. 38. Retrieved June 10, 2020.
^ ab"Country Reviews: Singles Reviews" (PDF). Cash Box. Vol. 36, no. 26. New York City, New York: Cash Box. November 21, 1974. p. 46. Retrieved June 10, 2020.
^ abAllen, James. "Asleep at the Wheel - Asleep at the Wheel: Songs, Reviews, Credits". AllMusic. Retrieved June 10, 2020.
^Hull, Tom (May 3, 2021). "Music Week". Tom Hull – on the Web. Retrieved May 7, 2021.
^"Country Reviews: LP's" (PDF). Cash Box. Vol. 36, no. 23. New York City, New York: Cash Box. October 26, 1974. p. 44. Retrieved June 10, 2020.
asleep, wheel, album, this, article, about, band, 1974, self, titled, second, album, 1985, album, pasture, prime, asleep, wheel, second, album, american, western, swing, band, asleep, wheel, produced, norro, wilson, columbia, recording, studios, nashville, ten. This article is about the band s 1974 self titled second album For the 1985 album see Pasture Prime Asleep at the Wheel is the second album by American western swing band Asleep at the Wheel Produced by Norro Wilson at Columbia Recording Studios in Nashville Tennessee it was released in September 1974 as the group s first album on Epic Records As with its predecessor Comin Right at Ya Asleep at the Wheel s self titled album featured a mix of traditional and original compositions including songs written by popular country musicians Rex Griffin Cindy Walker and Hank Penny Asleep at the WheelStudio album by Asleep at the WheelReleasedSeptember 1974 1974 09 RecordedJuly 1974 1974 07 StudioColumbia NashvilleGenreWestern swing 1 Length38 06LabelEpicProducerNorro WilsonAsleep at the Wheel chronologyComin Right at Ya 1973 Asleep at the Wheel 1974 Texas Gold 1975 Singles from Asleep at the Wheel You and Me Instead Released August 1974 1974 08 Choo Choo Ch Boogie Released November 1974 1974 11 The second album by Asleep at the Wheel was the first to feature bassist Tony Garnier who replaced Gene Dobkin in early 1974 and would remain with the band for several years It was also the only album to feature the group s first full time fiddler Richard Corky Casanova who joined in time for the album s recording but left shortly after its release Guest contributors include Johnny Gimble on fiddle and mandolin Andy Stein on saxophone and fiddle and Mickey Raphael on harmonica Like its predecessor Asleep at the Wheel failed to register on any national or international record charts However the band did register on the US Billboard Hot Country Songs chart for the first time when second single Choo Choo Ch Boogie originally recorded by the Tympany Five registered at number 69 in December 1974 Critical reviews of the album were generally positive with commentators praising the breadth of musical styles on the record and its place within Western swing Contents 1 Background 2 Reception 3 Track listing 4 Personnel 5 References 6 Footnotes 7 External linksBackground editAfter being dropped by United Artists Asleep at the Wheel signed a deal with Epic Records in May 1974 2 For the recording of their first album on the label the band wanted to work again with Tommy Allsup who produced their 1973 debut Comin Right at Ya however Don Ellis head of Epic at the time assigned Norris Norro Wilson to the project 3 Sessions took place in Nashville Tennessee again this time at Columbia Studio B 3 Speaking about the recording process frontman Ray Benson recalled that Wilson let us do what we wanted describing it as a good experience 4 The album was released in September 1974 5 The Asleep at the Wheel album cover features a photograph of the seven piece band in front of a vintage 1938 Cadillac which was taken in Austin Texas shortly after the band relocated there from Oakland California 6 The album was the band s first to feature bassist Tony Garnier who replaced Gene Dobkin before recording began 4 It was also the only album to feature the group s first full time fiddler Richard Corky Casanova who joined for the recording and was credited as an official member on the album sleeve 7 Two tracks from Asleep at the Wheel were issued as singles in 1974 You and Me Instead and Choo Choo Ch Boogie 8 9 Reception editProfessional ratingsReview scoresSourceRatingAllMusic nbsp nbsp nbsp nbsp nbsp 10 Christgau s Record GuideB 1 Tom Hull on the WebB nbsp nbsp 11 Critical response to Asleep at the Wheel was generally positive In an uncredited review Cash Box magazine credited the band for the gaining momentum of progressive country stating The group has gained considerable repute for their live act and their first album for Epic marks a worthy label debut as these seven dyed in the wool country buffs confidently rip their way through numbers like Choo Choo Ch Boogie I m Gonna Be a Wheel Someday and Bloodshot Eyes 12 In a retrospective review for website AllMusic James Allen gave Asleep at the Wheel three and a half out of five stars praising the multitude of styles present on the record including Western swing jazz and honky tonk 10 Music critic Robert Christgau gave the album a B rating lower than the A awarded to Comin Right at Ya comparing it to the style of Bob Wills 1 Cash Box praised You and Me Instead as sweet 8 and hailed Choo Choo Ch Boogie as an infectious shuffle 9 Track listing editNo TitleWriter s Length1 Choo Choo Ch Boogie originally recorded by Louis Jordan and His Tympany Five Milt GablerVaughn HortonDenver Darling3 172 You and Me Instead Kevin Farrell3 253 Jumpin at the Woodside originally recorded by the Count Basie Orchestra Count Basie3 514 Last Letter originally recorded by Rex Griffin Rex Griffin5 315 Don t Ask Me Why I m Going to Texas Ray BensonLeRoy PrestonFarrell2 526 The Kind of Love I Can t Forget originally recorded by Bob Wills and His Texas Playboys Jesse Ashlock3 147 I m Gonna Be a Wheel Someday originally recorded by Bobby Mitchell and the Toppers Roy Hayes2 008 Our Names Aren t Mentioned Together Anymore Preston3 599 Miss Molly originally recorded by Bob Wills and His Texas Playboys Cindy Walker2 4610 Blood Shot Eyes originally recorded by Hank Penny Hank PennyRuth Hall3 4811 Dead Man Preston3 23Total length 38 06Personnel editAsleep at the Wheel Ray Benson lead guitar vocals lead on tracks 1 2 5 and 9 backing on tracks 9 and 11 Chris O Connell rhythm guitar vocals lead on tracks 4 and 6 co lead on track 8 backing on tracks 1 9 and 11 LeRoy Preston drums vocals lead on tracks 7 10 and 11 co lead on track 8 backing on track 1 Lucky Oceans pedal and lap steel guitars Tony Garnier upright and electric basses Floyd Domino piano Richard Corky Casanova fiddle Guest musicians Johnny Gimble fiddle tracks 3 7 9 and 11 backing vocals tracks 9 and 11 rhythm guitar track 8 Bill Joor trumpet tracks 1 3 5 9 and 10 Andy Stein saxophone tracks 1 3 and 10 fiddle track 2 Lisa Silver fiddle tracks 2 4 and 8 Mickey Raphael harmonica tracks 5 and 8 Bucky Meadows rhythm guitar tracks 6 and 7 Teddy Irwin rhythm guitar track 4 Larry Black rhythm guitar track 7 Bobby Black pedal steel guitar track 7 Buddy Spicher fiddle track 8 Additional personnel Norro Wilson production Lou Bradley engineering Bill Barnes design photography typography Phyllis Cortese additional artworkReferences editBenson Ray Menconi David October 2015 Comin Right at Ya How a Jewish Yankee Hippie Went Country or the Often Outrageous History of Asleep at the Wheel Austin Texas University of Texas Press ISBN 978 0292756588Footnotes edit a b c Asleep at the Wheel Robert Christgau Retrieved June 10 2020 Goodman Arty May 18 1974 For the Record Passing Remarks PDF Cash Box Vol 36 no 1 New York City New York Cash Box p 18 Retrieved June 10 2020 a b Benson amp Menconi 2015 p 83 a b Jennings Steve March 1 2014 Classic Tracks The Letter That Johnny Walker Read Asleep at the Wheel Mix Retrieved June 10 2020 Asleep At The Wheel firmed for Horseshoe PDF RPM Vol 27 no 4 Toronto Ontario Canada RPM April 23 1977 p 27 Retrieved June 19 2020 Country Roundup PDF Cash Box Vol 36 no 14 New York City New York Cash Box August 17 1974 p 41 Retrieved June 10 2020 Asleep at the Wheel Media notes Asleep at the Wheel Epic Records 1974 Retrieved June 10 2020 a href Template Cite AV media notes html title Template Cite AV media notes cite AV media notes a CS1 maint others in cite AV media notes link a b Country Reviews Singles PDF Cash Box Vol 36 no 17 New York City New York Cash Box September 7 1974 p 38 Retrieved June 10 2020 a b Country Reviews Singles Reviews PDF Cash Box Vol 36 no 26 New York City New York Cash Box November 21 1974 p 46 Retrieved June 10 2020 a b Allen James Asleep at the Wheel Asleep at the Wheel Songs Reviews Credits AllMusic Retrieved June 10 2020 Hull Tom May 3 2021 Music Week Tom Hull on the Web Retrieved May 7 2021 Country Reviews LP s PDF Cash Box Vol 36 no 23 New York City New York Cash Box October 26 1974 p 44 Retrieved June 10 2020 External links editAsleep at the Wheel at Discogs list of releases Retrieved from https en wikipedia org w index php title Asleep at the Wheel album amp oldid 1127051527, wikipedia, wiki, book, books, library,
