Click images for caption and to enlarg

Click to close Johnny Gimble and Family - A Case of the Gimbles (Bismeaux) CD $17

Swing music has been defined as "that which if you ain't got, it don't mean a thing." Simply, this describes (from a musician's viewpoint) the sound that reflects the genre of music identified with the 1930s and 1940s. Influenced by the blues and jazz, the style continues to be popular 70 years later.

You may associate swing music with any number of prominent bands from that era including Count Basie, Louis Jordan, and Benny Goodman. These bands often had at least 10 members with a strong horn/brass emphasis. Take the same groove and build it around some fiddles and you've essentially got Western swing. Most often recognized with the bands Bob Wills and the Texas Playboys and Asleep at the Wheel, western swing music still gets people's toes tapping, if not all out jitterbug dancing.

If you are not familiar with this genre of music, then this album is a great introduction. It showcases the Johnny Gimble family and a host of talented players. The album has a pallet of influences, old standards, blues, ballads, and waltzes. Almost all of the songs get your fingers snapping along.

Historical background aside, recently released A Case of the Gimbles swings. This family-produced (johnnygimble.com) album features Johnny's son, Dick Gimble, on guitar and bass and granddaughter, Emily, on vocals. Wes Starr on drums, Mitch Watkins and Kenny Frazier on guitars, Floyd Domino and Danny Levin on piano, dobro by Cindy Cashdollar, and Jon Blondell on trombone complete the ensemble. A former member of the Texas Playboys, Johnny Gimble's sweet fiddle and electric mandolin lay the foundation for the rest of the band. Johnny's mandolin has only four strings (instead of the traditional eight), producing a jazzy/blues sound more like you would hear from a hollow body guitar. Of the 15 songs on the record, Johnny pens two, "Waltzin' the Blues," which has a lively groove, and "Heading for the Barn," that has a jump blues sound.

Johnny's fiddle playing, as always, is reason enough to check out this CD. However, the vocal strength and versatility of Emily Gimble is the real "shoe in" for this album's listener enjoyment. Simply put, she seems poised for success. Her addition to the family band brings a fresh vocal sound to this legendary Texas-style swing music.

Vocals by Emily meld effortlessly with the other tune selections. Included are classics such as "Blue Skies" by Irving Berlin and "Our Love is Here to Stay" by George and Ira Gershwin. Emily is as comfortable with singing the Blues as she is with Jazz standards.

"Trouble in Mind" features solos by the various players. This tune is straight-on for blues fans and is also one of three with a tasty trombone solo. "One Time Charlie's Railroad Blues" has one of the fastest tempos on the album. With the dobro driving it, the tune will please those with a bluegrass bent. Also, on "Be Mine" the dobro is given front stage space for laying down a slow number that kicks back the listener. Relaxin' is the only instrumental number on the album. Dick Gimble's bass fiddle lays down a rock solid foundation for the others to riff around. Was, by Mose Allison really has a sound jazz aficionados will enjoy, as well as the very next cut, My Baby Just Cares for Me. The dynamics throughout the compositions are subtle, yet obvious and just plain pleasing to the ear.

It's not often you get to hear three generations of talent-loaded swing musicians; here's your chance. A Case of the Gimbles may be incurable.

Each year, the Gimble family hosts a five-day swing music camp in September near Taos, N.M. Primarily a fiddle workshop, also offered are classes in guitar, mandolin, and bass. Recently, I visited with Johnny while attending the camp. It pleases him to no end to see 60 or so students carrying on the music tradition to which he has been such a large contributor. His humble roots and genuine concern for sharing his musical knowledge shines. Throw in an incurable sense of humor and you get a picture of this legend.

According to his son, we can all look forward to a forthcoming biography on Johnny as well. In 2008, he'll play Taos, June 30 -July 5.

Herb Folsom is a guitar-playing member of "Roscoe," a duo that swing the blues out of Mancos, Colo..