Search - Live at Billy Bob's Texas: Asleep at the Wheel on DVD

GREAT MUSIC ,FUN TO WATCH

Maryellen May | Crested Butte, Co USA | 11/02/2004

(5 out of 5 stars)

"The newest incarnation of ATTW is the best yet!The picture and sound are first rate.The performance by the band is fantastic,with the front man Ray Benson just stealing the show with his great voice and stage presence.Musically,these guys are talented and together,with fantastic arrangements of classic
country western songs and a few Ray originals.My favorites are the Cindy Walker songs Your from Texas,and You don,t know me.
Other greats,Amarillo by morning,sung by the awesome lead fiddle player Jason Roberts and a rousing redition of Cotton eyed Joe.Western swing fans will be thrilled by this one!"

The best of the band's contemporary live show

The Delite Rancher | Phoenix, Arizona | 05/13/2006

(5 out of 5 stars)

"This DVD celebrates the best of Asleep at the Wheel's contemporary live show. This newer version of the band is not as strong as the classic version, as seen in the "In Concert" DVD. That written, the viewer would hardly know that this is anything less than Asleep at the Wheel in their prime given the actual songs selected and the performance quality. The band plays plenty of Asleep at the Wheel standards like 'Route 66,' 'Boogie Back to Texas' and 'Take Me Back to Tulsa.' Beyond such time tested tunes, newer choices keep the setlist fresh like 'One Six Pack to Go,' 'Ain't Nobody Here But Us Chickens,' 'Don't Fence Me In,' and 'Cotton Eyed Joe.' Indeed, it must have taken enormous restraint to omit 'Cherokee Maiden.' Ray Benson's charisma is in high gear and Jason Roberts' songs are always welcome. Despite these glowing assets, there are drawbacks. While it was a great idea to have a bilingual musician work in the Tex-Mex influence, Haydn Vitera was clearly the wrong man for the job. He takes second fiddle literally and figuratively as his voice and personality never fit the band. The only saving grace is that compared to the band's regular shows, he only sings one tune for this DVD. Also, double fiddles are a staple of Western Swing -why double steel guitars? There is no Speedy West and Jimmy Bryant type interaction here, Asleep at the Wheel employs two musicians to do one person's job. Granted, these are minor issues. Beyond drawbacks and benefits, we are spared from hearing any of the cheesy songs from the "Alamo" album and better yet the audience is saved from hearing Ray Benson's corny crooner material. In this respect, the omitted songs strengthen "Live at Bill Bob's Texas" as much as the high quality material that is included. I'd like to award this 4 + 1/2 stars since the Ohne Filter "In Concert" DVD is better; the sound and video production made me bump this up to five instead of knocking it down to four. This is a great Alseep at the Wheel concert, watch it and enjoy!"