THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1996, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Saturday, August 3, 1996 TAG: 9608020056
SECTION: DAILY BREAK PAGE: E2 EDITION: FINAL
TYPE: Music review
SOURCE: BY FRANK ROBERTS, STAFF WRITER
LENGTH: 39 lines
ASLEEP AT THE WHEEL definitely kept 'em awake at The Banque.
Playing to a full house at the Norfolk country-western club, Ray Benson and his band of Western Swingers evoked delicious memories of Bob Wills and the Texas Playboys. Whether dancing or listening, the fans had a great time.
AATW rarely gets on radio, and their format is virtually unchanged over the last 26 years, but like Old Man River, the band keeps rolling, actually swinging, along.
That format includes great originals such as ``Miles and Miles of Texas'' and ``Boogie Back to Texas,'' and, of course, a full helping of Wills, the patriarch of Wwestern Swing.
Just as Wills went ``ah-ah'' and talked his way through ``San Antonio Rose,'' Benson does likewise, retaining that vintage feel and flavor.
His big bass voice was in prime form, especially on the few ballads. Most impressive was his reverent version of Lefty Frizzell's somber ``Beautiful Long Black Veil.''
But the fans came to swing, and ``Smoke, Smoke, Smoke,'' ``Milk Cow Boogie'' and ``Hot Rod Lincoln'' sent them into overdrive.
Over the years, AATW has been nominated for 15 Grammys, walking away with six, including one last year for the instrumental ``Hightower,'' a hillbilly-bebop hybrid that they played Wednesday night.
The Nashville-based band Dalton's Rain preceded AATW with an impressive sampling of more traditional country fare. They were preceded by the equally impressive Denise and Sam Miller of Virginia Beach, who have won five national grand champion titles in United Country and Western Dance Council Competition. ILLUSTRATION: Graphic
MUSIC REVIEW
Asleep at the Wheel, with Dalton's Rain and dancers Denise and
Sam Miller, Wednesday at The Banque, Norfolk. by CNB