Western Standard Time (album)

Western Standard Time
Western Standard Time
Studio album by Asleep at the Wheel
Released	August 2, 1988
Recorded	1988
Studio	Arlyn Studios (Austin, Texas); Austin Recording (Austin, Texas); Bee Creek (Austin, Texas); January Sound (Dallas, Texas); Pedernales Recording (Spicewood, Texas); The Fire Station (San Marcos, Texas);
Genre	Country; Western swing;
Length	31:44
Label	Epic
Producer	Ray Benson
Asleep at the Wheel chronology
Singles from Western Standard Time
	"Walk on By"; Released: June 1988; "Hot Rod Lincoln"; Released: September 1988; "Chattanooga Choo Choo"; Released: March 1989;

Western Standard Time is the tenth studio album by American country band Asleep at the Wheel. Recorded at various studios in Austin, Dallas, Briarcliff and San Marcos, Texas it was produced solely by the band's frontman Ray Benson and released in August 1988 as the group's second album back on Epic Records. Western Standard Time is the band's first album to feature no original material, relying on recordings of compositions originally by popular swing, R&B and big band artists.

Asleep at the Wheel remained with Epic following the commercial success of its 1987 ninth studio album 10, which reached the top 20 of the US Billboard Top Country Albums chart and spawned four charting singles. After one lineup change, Jon Mitchell taking over from bassist David Dawson, the group recorded the album's follow-up in 1988. The first two singles from Western Standard Time – "Walk on By" and "Hot Rod Lincoln" – registered on the Billboard Hot Country Singles chart.

Western Standard Time received mixed reviews from critics. Several commentators praised the band's choice of songs to record on the album, which were described as "fun" and "light-hearted". However, other writers criticised the lack of original compositions and dismissed the cover versions as merely "novelties". The album was Asleep at the Wheel's fourth release to reach the top 40 of the Billboard Top Country Albums chart, peaking at number 34 and selling over 100,000 copies.