Live! At The Tractor (Self-released, 2005)

Taping live performances is high risk: you either end up with a spontaneous recording in front of a real audience, or a disappointing version of your favorite artist who needs a recording engineer to sound like himself.

Fear not, Wylie fans! This CD, recorded at the Tractor Tavern in Seattle, delivers that country-laced Western music Wylie Gustafson is already known for, interspersed with poetry and banter reminiscent of PBS folklorist Garrison Keillor - just western style. Meanwhile, there's more down-home attitude and infectious swing in this collection than a Bob Wills classic.

With 10 originals, replete with his award-winning yodeling and flawless vocals, songs like "Whoop Up Trail" and "Act Naturally" are irrepressible. Musically impeccable, credit goes to T. Scot Wilburn on steel guitar, guitar and fiddle, Raymond Doyle on harmony vocals, baritone and Vox mando guitar, plus David Reynolds on drums. If you've never heard Wylie and the Wild West before, start here.