Search - Pee Wee King :: Pee Wee King's Biggest Hits: Country Barn Dance

Julius Kuczynski?

Eclectic Revisited | Arizona | 12/28/2004

(5 out of 5 stars)

"I don't think most fans knew Pee Wee King's real name but an apparent Polish background may have given him his talent with polka tunes that became popular in the country swing era. Pee Wee King, along with fellow composer/ group's lead singer Redd Stewart gave country music some special songs in his heyday. "Tennessee Waltz" was recorded by no less than 15 well-known recording artists and pretty much became the signature song for Patti Page. That song and others such as "Bonaparte's Retreat" and "Slowpoke" became standards in the pop music as well as the country music field. One of the most romantic "Changing Partners" was also one of the best, about feeling alone in a crowd and waiting for that special dance partner to return from across the floor, my favorite. King's contemporaries included Bob Wills and Spade Cooley. The man lived to a ripe old age but may not be as well remembered as Hank Williams, Sr., for example, because of his brand of country music. But that music is well worth a listen; his (and Redd's) best are in this compilation."