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Speedy West may be the greatest pedal steel slinger in the history of the instrument, and together with ace guitarist Jimmy Bryant they bridged the gap between the 50s Western swing of Bob Wills and the soon to arrive Sun Records sound with their pioneering country-jazz instrumentals. This is essential stuff for fans of traditional country stompers – or sweaty, swaggering boogie in any genre! Tracks include "Stratosphere Boogie", "Blue Bonnet Rag", "Cotton' Picking", "Old Joe Clark", "Slepwalker's Lullaby", "Arkansas Traveler", "The Night Rider", "Speedin' West", "Comin' On", "Bryant's Bounce", "Pickin' Peppers", "Shuffleboard Rag", "Filppin' The Lid" and lots more. CD

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Fantastic work from Stoney Edwards – a country singer who had a short career, but made some amazing music! CD

Picking up where the previous Stratosphere Boogie collection leaves off, this is volume two of the caffeinated country swing and rockabilly rabble rousing of the pioneering duo. Speedy West could play the pedal steel like a man on fire or a doomed, sinnin' fool, and guitarist Jimmy Bryant was just as hot – and without their instrumentals the worlds of country and unashamedly twangy rock would be sad indeed. Tracks include "Frettin' Fingers", "Lover", "Two Of A Kind", "Yodeling Guitar", "West Of Sonoma", "Opus 1", "Truck Driver's Ride", "T-Bone Rag", "Railroadin'", "Jammin' With Jimmy", "The Rolling Sky", "Pushin' The Blues", "Swingin' On The Strings", and "Caffeine Patrol". 20 tracks in all. CD

One of the most compelling larger projects put together by Merle Haggard during his "concepts" years at Capitol Records – a double-length set that has the country legend dipping into the spiritual side of the spectrum, with key recordings at a number of different locations! The album features work recorded at the chapel at San Quentin Prison, at the Big Creek Baptist Church in Tennessee, a Rescue Mission in Nashville, and at the Assembly Of God Tabernacle back in California – all of which make for a nicely varied expression of the way that country music comes into play with spiritual themes, along with help from famous guests The Carter Family, and some vocals from Bonnie Owens too! The Strangers provide the backings, and although there's some spoken bits from time to time, the clear appeal of the record is Merle's great vocals as he takes on tunes that include "The Family Bible", "Guide Me Lord", "Life's Railway To Heaven", "Steal Away", "On The Jericho Road", "Precious Memories", "Turn Your Radio On", "Where Could I Go", "If We Never Meet Again", and "I Saw The Light". CD