Asleep at the Wheel’s Ray Benson has been making music for more than fifty years. In all that time, Benson has never walked away from a musical challenge. So, when legendary Jamaican producer Dr. Dread reached out to him with an invite to come to Kingston, Jamaica to record an album with some of the island nation’s best studio musicians, Benson immediately said yes. The result of that collaboration, Swingin’ and Skankin’ will drop later this year. Today, Benson released “Put It On” as the lead single from the collection.
Finding a common ground between Western Swing and reggae, Benson teamed up with a laundry list of musicians to create an album that will surely be enjoyed in Kingston as much as it is in Austin. Jamaican legends Sly Dunbar (drums), Dwight Pinkney (guitar), and Robbie Lyn (keyboard) attended the sessions. Additionally, former Asleep at the Wheel member and longtime Bob Dylan bassist Tony Garnier helped provide the low-end on the album. Willie Nelson also appears on the reggae version of “On the Road Again.”
[RELATED: Swingin’ and Skankin’: Ray Benson Discusses the Future of Asleep at the Wheel and His Upcoming Reggae Album]
Ray Benson on “Put It On”
Earlier today (July 24), Ray Benson sat down with American Songwriter to talk about Swingin’ and Skankin’. During the conversation, he shared his thoughts on the album’s lead single “Put It On.”
Originally recorded by the Wailing Wailers who would later become Bob Marley & The Wailers, several artists have put their stamp on “Put It On” in the sixty years since its original release. Benson is the latest in that long line.
“I was very surprised that they put that as the emphasis track. It’s a prayer. I was very concerned about doing it because I didn’t think I could pull it off. I tell you what, we finished it and honestly, I was really surprised and proud that it worked,” Benson said. “As I said, it’s a prayer. There’s a reverence to it that has to be dealt with. This is saying, ‘I’m ready to put it on, I’m ready to do it. I want to thank you, Lord, for everything.’ It’s repetitive, there’s no bridge or chorus, it’s just on and on,” he added. “You really have to build the dynamics by singing.”
Benson went on to say, “I’m flattered that Dread and the guys thought that was worthy of emphasis. It’s got substance to the message.”
Swingin’ and Skankin’ Tracklist
- “Easy Snappin’/Easy Skankin’”
- “On the Road Again”
- “Route 66”
- “Boogie Back to Texas”
- “Boogie in My Bones”
- “Highway 61 Revisited”
- “Got Riddim”
- “Bubbles in My Beer”
- “Put It On”
- “Happy Trails”
Swingin’ and Skankin’ drops on August 30 via Tafari Records/Sweet and Spicy. It will be available across digital platforms and on various forms of physical media. Pre-save or pre-order a copy today.
Featured Image by Mike Shore
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