A Western Swing Dance Date with Spade & Tex

• Artist: Spade Cooley & Tex Williams
• Rating:
• Release Date: July 11, 2000
• Type: Compilation (best of)
• Genre: Country

Review

While the title implies that this is a joint CD of Spade Cooley and Tex Williams' music, it actually focuses more on Cooley's repertoire. Tex Williams and His Western Caravan have eight tracks, while Cooley's band has 19, although four of them do feature Williams who was part of his band for a time. In fact, when Williams was offered a solo recording deal and broke off ties with Cooley he took most of the group with him. Even with all the backstage shenanigans and ego bouts, this budget CD, containing all original recordings, is hardly a comprehensive example of either of the artists work. Cooley's biggest hit, "Shame on Me," is absent, as well as Williams biggest, "Smoke! Smoke! Smoke!" Still, for those looking to save a few bucks this is a good introduction to the sounds of '40s and '50s Western swing, even if there are better compilations available. ~ Curtis Zimmermann, All Music Guide

Tracks

Track Title	Composers	Performers	Time
Diggin' With Spade	Cameron Hill	Spade Cooley	(2:32)
Aria from Dixie	Jim Soldi	Tex Williams	(2:14)
You'll Rue the Day	Spade Cooley	Dance Band, Tex Williams, Spade Cooley	(2:51)
Guitar Swing	Casey Bill Weldon	Dance Band, Spade Cooley	(2:04)
My Chickashay Gal	Roy Rogers, Spade Cooley	Dance Band, Spade Cooley, Smokey Rogers	(1:57)
Yearning (Just for You)	Benny Davis, Joe Burke	Dance Band, Spade Cooley	(1:42)
Do Ya or Don't Cha	Spade Cooley, Smokey Rogers	Dance Band, Tex Williams, Spade Cooley	(2:21)
Hornpipe Swing	Traditional	Dance Band, Spade Cooley	(1:56)
Wabash Cannonball	Traditional	Dance Band, Spade Cooley	(1:33)
Texas Playboy Rag, No. 2	Bob Wills	Dance Band, Spade Cooley	(2:28)
Fireball Mail	Floyd Jenkins	Dance Band, Spade Cooley	(1:45)
Sioux City Sue	Dick Thomas, Ray Freedman	Dance Band, Spade Cooley, Red Egner	(2:24)
Tattle-Tale Polka	Albert Gamse	Dance Band, Spade Cooley	(2:37)
Piggy Bank Polka		Dance Band, Spade Cooley, Del Porter, Red Egner	(1:25)
Leather Britches		Dance Band, Spade Cooley, Del Porter	(2:00)
Pale Moon	Freddy Logan, Jacob Glick	Tex Williams	(2:05)
Red Wing	Irving Mills, Thurland Chattaway	Tex Williams	(1:54)
Crazy 'Cause I Love You	Spade Cooley	Dance Band, Spade Cooley, Red Egner	(2:12)
California Polka		Dance Band, Spade Cooley	(2:41)
Texas Playboy Rag	Bob Wills	Dance Band, Spade Cooley	(2:15)
You Can't Break My Heart	Roy Rogers, Spade Cooley	Dance Band, Tex Williams, Spade Cooley	(2:52)
Spadella	Spade Cooley	Dance Band, Spade Cooley	(2:46)
Hide Your Face	Henson Cargill, Spade Cooley	Dance Band, Tex Williams, Spade Cooley	(2:10)
Cowpoke Polka		Dance Band, Spade Cooley	(1:49)
Banjo Polka		Tex Williams, Smokey Rogers	(1:28)
Riverside Stomp	Tex Williams	Tex Williams	(1:24)
Snow Deer Stomp	Spade Cooley	Dance Band, Spade Cooley	(2:02)

Credits

Paul Pelletier (Coordination), Smokey Rogers (Vocals), Paul Pelletier (Liner Notes), Tex Williams (Vocals), Del Porter (Vocals), Geoff Milne (Transfers), Smokey Rogers (Banjo), Milton DeLugg (Accordion), Dance Band (Performer)