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Album: Open That Gate This is a follow-up album to two former Western Swing albums of the year. There is a very good chance that John England and the Western Swingers might have done it again. This time, they have taken 13 tunes, 10 originals and 3 western swing standards and created a very enjoyable listening experience. The album features all of the Western Swingers, with all, except drummer Walter Hartman, doing at least one lead vocal. The Western Swingers include magnificent lead guitarist John England, super steel guitarist Tommy Hannum and hot fiddle player Gene "Pappy" Merritts. The wonderful and very tight rhythm section of the band, in addition to Walter playing drums, is David Spicher-bass and Neil Stretcher-piano. The album opens with John England on vocal on one that he wrote, the album title song Open that Gate. John is also heard on vocal on two others that he wrote, The Closer I Get, written along with Tommy and Right There with Me. Tommy also wrote and is heard on vocal on Old Town and She's Comin' Home with Me. Neil wrote and is heard on vocal on One More Time and Brownsville. Pappy is heard on vocal on his own Waltz for Sue Ann and also from Cliff Bruner and so many others, the Floyd Tillman masterpiece I'll Keep on Loving You. The two other standards are Bring it on Down from Bob Wills and many others and Yes, Sir, from Milton Brown and scores of others. This one has David on vocal. The two instrumentals, written by John, are Neely's Bend Quick Step and Big Boy Strut. The album can be obtained for $15. (including postage in the USA) from John England, 209 Chesterton Court, Madison, TN 37115. Contact John for shipping charges in other parts of the world. Mike Gross, WVOF-FM, Fairfield, CT |