Big Sandy and the Fly-Rite Trio “Don’t Desert Me”

Big Sandy and the Fly-Rite Trio “Don’t Desert Me” b/w “I’m Gonna Leave” 1991. Dionysus Records. Western swing/rockabilly revival from Big Sandy back when he was still with the Fly-Rite Trio (they later became the Fly-Rite Boys, I’m assuming when more members joined the group). I really love early Big Sandy – On the Go! from 1992 is one of my favorite records – and this 45 has the same flavor: sweet-as-honey vocals, clear melodies and an easy, laid-back vibe. “Don’t Desert Me” is an upbeat track that leans more rockabilly than swing with a rockin’ stand-up bass rhythm and a classic rockin’ rhythm and blues song structure. “Don’t Desert Me” was a stand-alone single that showed up on the 2013 comp What a Dream It’s Been. “I’m Gonna Leave” is a more relaxed track, a bit more brushed-swing. It appears on Big Sandy & His Fly-Rite Boys 1997 LP Feelin’ Kinda Lucky in a dramatically rethought format; that version waaaayyy more country, all slide-guitar and noodley twang and not nearly as good as the original (though it’s still pretty decent – Big Sandy’s voice can carry pretty much any song).