Asleep At The Wheel
Album: The Wheel
Release Date: 1977
Asleep at the Wheel epitomizes the versatility of Texas country music, playing traditional western swing with the fervor of an ’80s punk band. This formula has helped the legendary group earn ten Grammy Awards and secure a place in the ACL Hall of Fame. They’ve played a pivotal role in defining Austin music for five decades.
On The Wheel, they deliver on Ray Benson’s ambition to blend the wide-open spaces of western swing with Count Basie-style big band jazz. This is especially evident on tracks like “Am I High?”, where Benson’s baritone rides the groovy melody like a seasoned lounge singer, asking the audience was it the booze that got me so confused? / perhaps the cocaine caused me to exclaim / as I fell to the floor, give me more, give me more! Singing jazz tunes about snorting cocaine is an arguably poor career choice for a country musician, but it’s authentically Asleep at the Wheel.
The album showcases the sound of a mature band confidently strutting through the end of a successful first chapter. By the time of this recording, the original ensemble had expanded to an eleven-piece orchestra, featuring two saxophonists, piano, pedal steel guitar, upright bass, fiddle, and Cajun accordion, in addition to the guitars and drums. Producer Tommy Allsup recorded the album in live takes at the same studio where Bob Wills recorded his final album. This recording style unleashes the improvisational talent of the musicians and captures the boisterous energy their live shows are known for.
The album was well received, reaching the Top Forty on the country charts and earning two Grammy nominations. It served as an exclamation point on a year when Rolling Stone named them Best Country-Western Band, and the Academy of Country Music honored them as Touring Band of the Year. This is a standout in the twenty-six-album catalog and a timeless masterpiece from the great western swing ambassadors.
The Manhattan
The Manhattan is a reminder that there is a difference between simple and easy. It’s a simple recipe that only includes three ingredients, and that means there is nothing to hide behind. When a drink is simple the technique used in mixing becomes part of the recipe. How much ice you put in the shaker and how long you stir determines how much water is included in the final product. How heavy your dash of bitters is impacts the spice level. How much syrup you include when dropping the cherry garnish varies the level of sweetness. Perfection is in the execution.
The classic recipe is provided below, but in the same way Ray Benson finds acres of space for improvisation within the borders of Western Swing there is ample room for experimentation. Decreasing the amount of vermouth creates a drier drink while increasing it produces a sweeter varietal. Adding a dash of Luxardo cherry liqueur strays from the classic recipe but adds a pleasant dimension if you are feeling adventurous. (It’s also a nice shout back to the parent cocktail – The Martinez.)
Ingredients:
- 2 oz Rye whiskey or bourbon
- 1 oz Sweet vermouth
- 2-3 dashes bitters
- Luxardo cherry for garnish
Instructions:
- Fill shaker with ice
- Add whiskey, vermouth, and bitters and stir for 30 seconds
- Strain into martini glass
- Garnish with cherry
