Dave Pell

Swingin’ in the Ol’ Corral or “I’ll Be Hanged If They Don’t Hang Me First” owes its existence to a disc jockey named Jack Wagner, who had the fine habit of more than occasionally spinning jazz recordings on his several KHJ programs. The Dave Pell Octet happened to be one of his favorite groups, and so it was Dave to whom he turned when it occurred to him to present a sterling galaxy of Western tunes in a jazz format.

Pell seized on this one like a small lad going after a licorice stick, and in due time Swingin’ in the Ol’ Corral was strictly fact. The fact of the matter is that here is an album of great joy and rare good humor. Lofty praise of this success must be heaped on the various arrangers, who did a tasty job with this collection of songs certainly familiar to everyone.