Tommy Hill - Swingin' Sound of Modern Country Music

All Music Guide

The title of Tommy Hill's Swingin' Sound of Modern Country Music suggests that this album was a misbegotten attempt to sell instrumental country music to the stereophonic and ping-pong percussion crowd. What it actually delivers is crisp instrumental music like that of Floyd Cramer, but with the more overtly countrified instrumentation of honky tonk piano, banjo, and fiddles. The "modern" flourishes are provided by occasional stereo effects; electric guitars treated with reverb or distortion; and, on "Frankie and Johnny," a distorted steel guitar. The compositions are well-known country melodies but are credited to Hill and York; the latter may be Rusty York, who does not play on the album. The liner notes acknowledge that the album is comprised of "head" arrangements worked up by the session players in the studio, many of whom are famous, such as Hargus "Pig" Robbins and Pete Drake. The result is one of the more unusual and disposable products from the Starday stable: essentially a wa...cky concept and a quick session preserved on record. - Greg Adams, All Music Guide Read more Less