{"id":3325,"date":"2015-02-18T08:00:54","date_gmt":"2015-02-18T14:00:54","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/sites.dwrl.utexas.edu\/countrymusic\/?p=3325"},"modified":"2015-02-16T21:58:18","modified_gmt":"2015-02-17T03:58:18","slug":"influences-on-the-big-band-sound-of-western-swing","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/sites.dwrl.utexas.edu\/countrymusic\/2015\/02\/18\/influences-on-the-big-band-sound-of-western-swing\/","title":{"rendered":"Influences on the Big Band Sound of Western Swing"},"content":{"rendered":"

Because of our recent focus on country sub-genres and our talk with Christine Warren<\/a>, I have taken an interest in Western Swing.\u00a0 As I was listening to some of Bob Wills\u2019 music, I recognized a certain sound: Mariachi Music.\u00a0 Mariachi music includes, similar to Western Swing, a fiddle or violin, blaring horns, a variety of string instruments and the traditional \u201cBig Band\u201d Sound.\u00a0 These similarities struck a chord with me because of my interest in learning more about older country music (I have little knowledge before Neo-Traditional George Strait and Pop country Garth Brooks) and because of my love of Mariachi music and my Hispanic culture.<\/p>\n

To further understand the influences of traditional Mexican music on Western swing, we must listen to the King of Western Swing himself, Bob Wills.\u00a0 His interesting band leader qualities and his high pitched interjections make for lively dance music.\u00a0 The big band sound is key to the inner workings of Western Swing as well as Mariachi music.\u00a0 Now here is Bob Wills\u2026<\/p>\n

https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/watch?v=0C08jmN1sM8 <\/a><\/p>\n

I have chosen this next video that features Los Lobos singing \u201cEl Pescado Nadador\u201d because although it is not heavily traditional mariachi music it does feature many of the same qualities.<\/p>\n