Shelly Lee Alley - Alley Cat Stomp 1937-1941 (CD)

All Music Guide

Part Western swing, part jazz, and part goodtime honky tonk, Shelly Lee Alley His Alley Cats were one of Texas' most popular bands at the end of the 1930s and into the 1940s. A competent singer and fiddler, Alley was also a prolific songwriter, and this 26track compilation collects about half of the sides he cut for Vocalion Records between 1937 and 1941, including the bouncing "You've Got Me Worried Now," the loose and loping "Train Whistle Blues," the panoramic "Deep Congress Avenue," and the joyous "Alley Cat Stomp." Essentially a jazzedup string band playing goodtime blues with clarinets, saxophones, and fiddles, the Alley Cats also featured some interesting electric guitar work from future Cajun star Harry Choates. Infectious and fun, this set makes a great introduction to one of the early shining lights of Texas swing.

- Steve Leggett, All Music Guide