Vintage Guitar Magazine

February 2007

Western Swing was first created in the late 1930's by a generation of country players who adapted string bands to play big band jazz. On Elana James' first solo disc she demonstrates that this musical genre's vibrancy hasn't faded in the intervening years. Backed by a solid band that includes guitarists Dave Biller and Luke Hill as well as western swing fiddle master Johnny Gimble, James covers material by Dylan, Hubie Blake, Duke Ellington, as well as seven original tunes. Great stuff!