Combine the legendary 1930s string jazz sound of violinist Stephane Grappelli and guitarist Django Reinhardt and their Quintet of the Hot Club of France with the western swing strains of their contemporaries, Bob Wills' Texas Playboys, throw in foot-stomping fiddle jigs and reels, and mix it with a hefty dose of youthful pizzazz, and you end up with something approximating the fun and energy generated by the Austin, Texas-based Hot Club of Cowtown.

Guitarist Whit Smith, violinist Elana Fremerman, and bassist Jake Erwin offer loving renditions of standards and originals with characteristic stellar musicianship and infectious vitality. Their recently released fourth album, Ghost Train (HighTone), illustrates the group's expanding vision, including more originals and some daring crossover pieces (a truly swinging cover of the Aerosmith song "Chip Away the Stone", for one) but never loses sight of the music's true primary purpose: an old-fashioned good time.