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Bandleader Mike Faast founded the
acoustic Western Swing Band The Jangles in 2004. The Jangles
hail from the US North West State of Washington playing a
blend of Western Swing, Cowboy Classics and Jazz Standards
to create what they call Hick Jazz…also the title of their
CD release produced by Mike Faast.
Lou Bischoff, president of the Western
Swing Society of Seattle sent me a copy of Hick Jazz
as she
thought that it would ideally fit into the Western Hour
radio show that I present both in the UK and on the
Internet. And quite right Lou was to send me the CD. Mike
who takes lead vocals has an exquisite voice and his fellow
musicians are all top notch. The result is a wonderful
"string swing" style appealing to fans of country,
swing and cowboy music.
Band members include; Mike Faast--guitar
and vocals who has opened for Randy Travis, Don Edwards,
and Johnny Gimble. Paul Anastasio--fiddle has toured with
Merle Haggard, Loretta Lynn, Asleep at the Wheel and many
more. He is a true "Nashville Pro," touring with
various bands based out of "Music City" for ten
years. Gary Ballard--guitar, mandolin, banjo and vocals
is one of the premier guitarists in the area and has worked
with David Kersh, Charlie Daniels, Barbara Lamb and opened
for Tricia Yearwood, Ricky Scaggs, and Tim  McGraw.
Mick Nicholson-bass and vocals is a former Navy Band musician
and gigged with artists ranging from Vince Gill to Dizzy
Gillespie. Ray Wood-guitar and bass has picked with The
Coasters, Tommy Duncan, Moon Mullican, and Jimmy Wakely.
On Hick Jazz we are treated to some
wonderful numbers with three from the pen of one of the most
prolific female songwriters in country music and western
swing…Miss Cindy Walker with grand versions of "Miss
Molly", "Cherokee Maiden" and "Goin'
Away Party". Bob Wills & The Texas Playboys
recorded these numbers and Bob and Playboy vocalist Tommy
Duncan contribute "Stay A Little Longer". Just a
few more of the numbers to be found are "Roly
Poly" (Fred Rose) and "I'm An Old Cowhand"
(Johnny Mercer). Kay Starr had a big hit in the 1950's with
"Bonaparte's Retreat" (King/Stewart/Ellis) and
these guys certainly give it a lively arrangement with some
nifty fiddle work. We also find a song that is said to be
the National Anthem of Western Music "Deep In The Heart
OF Texas" with the band effortlessly offering a classic
cowboy performance. (Yes, we foreigners do know these
things!!!)
14 tracks in all to be found on Hick
Jazz. Don't miss it…it'll knock your hat off and is sure
to make your spurs jingle-jangle-jingle!!!
April 2006
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