This is one of the hidden gems out there, if you've never had the chance to hear it. Jimmy Rivers was a fantastic guitarist who led an 8-piece dance band based in Brisbane, California in the early sixties after stints backing guys like Ernest Tubb. This record is a compilation of informal recordings made by his steel player Vance Terry, one of the most inventive and fleet fingered steel guitarists of all time. These live recordings were made in a bar/restaurant called DeMarco's 23 Club, where Jimmy and the band played several nights a week.
The tunes are great -- from swing and hillbilly standards to Art Pepper bebop ('Surf Ride') and the band just kills. Jimmy had a very strong Charlie Christian influence in his playing (who you should check out if you've never had the chance --he played with Benny Goodman's band in the late 30s/real early 40s. A cornerstone of American music), so his lines are bop-like but melodic and swing like crazy.
What I love about these recordings are their informality. It's basically a document of a really hot band at the height of their powers playing their asses off a couple nights a week at a rowdy bar that serves buffalo burgers.
This record has influence a ton of guitarists over the years, not only the Playboys but guys like Jim Campilongo (one of our favorites). Find it. Listen to it!
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