Biller & Wakefield - The Hot Guitars Of Biller And Wakefield (1999/2020)

Most country musicians in 1999 have never even heard of Jimmy Bryant & Speedy West, much less take their artistic cues from them. Guitarist Dave Biller (who also plays with the all-acoustic Asylum Street Spankers) and steel wiz Jeremy Wakefield don't quite match the intensity and all-around explosiveness of the original duo, but then again, no one else has either. Instead, the two opt for a smoother, cooler approach. Although there are hints of hillbilly boogie and Western swing, this is really a straight country-jazz record full of engaging, superbly played Buddy Emmons-style bop. Assisted at times by Big Sandy and His Fly-Rite Boys, most notably fluid pianist Sonny Leyland, the pair show a strong absorption of jazz style and technique and an overriding jazz sensibility--even down to Wakefield's "Lady Be Good" quote on "Biller Barges In." --Marc Greilsamer