Big Sandy & His Fly-Rite Boys – It’s Time
After spending most of the 1990s on Hightone Records, Big Sandy & His Fly-Rite Boys have jumped to a new label, Yep Roc. The change seemingly hasn’t affected them one bit, though; It’s Time is another solid collection of western swing and old fashioned rock ‘n’ roll from a group that is foremost among all those that tread similar waters.
Not that the list is that big, mind you. The swing craze is firmly behind us and rockabilly may always be just on the verge of breaking through to a mass audience, but Big Sandy and his band continue to keep the flame of traditional American roots music alive with a style that is elegantly polished and mixed with youthful enthusiasm both uncommon and invigorating.
The dilemma most bands of this ilk face is how to keep the music fresh without resorting to cliche and turning themselves into a cartoon. On It’s Time, that is accomplished with a combination of the Fly-Rite Boys’ superb musicianship, Big Sandy’s smooth-as-honey vocals, and songwriting that’s honest and irony free.
They also expand a bit on their sound. They travel to Cajun country on “Bayou Blue” with guest Chris Gaffney on accordion, while the shimmy beat and electric guitar twang of “Catalina” just about shouts, “Surf’s up!”
They’ve gone through some changes over the past couple of years, with bassist Jeff West and steel guitarist Jimmy Roy relative newcomers to the lineup, but It’s Time shows that Big Sandy & His Fly-Rite Boys remain the current kings of hillbilly bop.