What happens when you add elements of the pedal steel, fiddle and accordion to Reggae? Previously unheard of magic. With his latest release, Swingin’ and Skankin’, larger-than-life Texas Swing legend and 9-time GRAMMY winner, Ray Benson, crossed not only genre lines but a literal ocean as well to try his hand at blending his brand of picking and singing with Jamaica’s legendary Reggae sound and players. Benson and celebrated producer Doctor Dread, of RAS Records fame, drew on their loosely connected genres—the music of New Orleans being a major influence for both—and wielded the sheer power of collaboration to create a unique crossover fusing Reggae and Western-Swing. When asked about why blend the two genres, Doctor Dread shared, “I was looking to go to a musical place where no man had ever gone before. Just like in Star Trek. Music is freedom so why not give it a try.”
Recorded over two-nights at the renowned Music Works Studio in Kingston, Jamaica with the likes of legendary Jamaican musicians that included drummer Sly Dunbar (Sly & Robbie), guitarists Dwight Pinkney (The Sharks, Zap Pow, Roots Radics) and Steve Golding (Roots Radics), keyboardist/arranger Robbie Lyn (Now Generation, Sound Dimension) as well as former Wheel and decades-long Bob Dylan bassist Tony Garnier, the group’s goal was to see what happens when the two-step meets the one drop, referring to the dance step associated to Western Swing and the Reggae riddim championed by Bob Marley.
A musical challenge, the results proved to be extraordinary, a true musical mash-up with delightful surprises all along the way. There are a couple of foundational, pre-Reggae Jamaican tunes, two Asleep at the Wheel rave-ups, classic songs associated with Bob Marley, Willie Nelson, Bob Dylan, Bob Wills, and Roy Rogers plus a crucial instrumental to top things off. Along with Benson’s nimble vocals throughout, special musical guests include Willie Nelson, guitarists Warren Haynes and Stanley Jordan, and original Asleep At The Wheel steel guitarist Lucky Oceans and fiddler Katie Shore for good measure.
Fans can stream or purchase Swingin’ and Skankin’ now at this link. While Benson isn’t touring on this record specifically, he’ll be on the road for the rest of the year with Asleep at the Wheel. Tour dates can be found at asleepatthewheel.com/tour.
Swingin’ and Skankin’ Tracklist:
Easy Snappin'/Easy Skankin'
On The Road Again
Get Your Kicks on Route 66
Boogie In My Bones
Boogie Back To Texas
Highway 61 Revisited
Put It On
Bubbles In My Beer
Got Riddim
Happy Trails
