Album Review: The Western Swing Authority, 12 to 6 Central

Waterloo, Ontario's septet The Western Swing Authority have made sizable inroads across Canada with their traditional swing that occasionally brings to mind Asleep At The Wheel. Their latest effort is another toe-tapping, fiddle-laced affair led by founders and couple Shane Guse and Stacey Lee Guse starting with "New Favorite Whiskey Song." The couple share vocal duties as "Bottom of This Glass" resembles an '80s duet by David Frizzell and Shelly West.

Mixing up styles, the group are quite comfortable slowing things down to a crawl for the sweet '70s country ballad "The Heartache" but then ramp the record up with the punchy, catchy "Full Moon Full of Love." The tandem works well on the rather routine "Who Walks in When I Walk Out." Primarily Stacey Lee shines on most of the material but Shane holds his own by belting out "Milk Cow Blues" as they get down into a thick groove.

The album, produced by Colin Linden, teems with a timeless quality. This is exemplified during the dreamy ditty "Spring" and the gorgeous instrumental "I'm Dreaming" which gives each part of the ensemble a chance to strut their stuff. Overall, it's an album well worth your time!

12 to 6 Central was released February 9, 2024 on Curve Music.
Listen to it here.