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O. J. Sikes New Radio Show Online "Western Music Time" on the Nostalgia Radio programs page of the www.BostonPete.com web site. O.J.'s E-Mail

Viva La Cowboy!

    -Dan Roberts

Live at the Station Inn

    -The Time Jumpers

 

If radio programmed C & W the way it used to, this CD would be a best seller. The album doesn't "rock" like so much of today's country  music does, but it surely does swing in the best Texas swing and honky tonk tradition! There's some low-down honky tonk and some sizzlers that move!

    There are ballads, too, some of which will be easy for country fans to recognize. These include "Beaches of Cheyenne" and "Wolves." That's because Dan co-wrote the former with Garth Brooks; Garth also recorded "Wolves," and both songs became mega-hits.

    Not all composers can sing, but Dan Roberts can! No doubt about it! He sounds like a cowboy. When you listen to the opening song, "Time, Tequila and Lime," and others like Cindy Walker's terrific "Tucumcari Woman" and her new "Fort Worth, Texas," you'll hear a superb combination of vocal talent, first-rate compositions and crackerjack musicianship.

    These last three songs just happen to be three of my favorites from the album. But I also especially enjoyed two that lift your spirits, "Viva La Cowboy," played before a very enthusiastic "live" audience, and "Full Moon Turnaround"---great stuff!

    This one's so new it's just coming out as you read these words, so be the first in line to reserve a copy. Contact Old Boots Music, P.O. Box 923, Aledo, TX 76008 or danroberts@oldbootsmusic.com
www.oldbootsmusic.com

 

You say you like Western swing? Well, The Time Jumpers just love to play it! They're professional musicians who gather down at the Station Inn in Nashville after a long week of work in the studio, to play the music they love. They include some of the best musicians anywhere with, for example, Opry staff fiddler Hoot Hester and session bassist Dennis Crouch. When he's in town, outstanding rhythm guitarist Ranger Doug joins the 8 member band.

    The CD was recorded "live" as it was broadcast over WSM from the band's favorite hang-out. The engineers on-hand really knew their business, just as the musicians did. There were no overdubs or repairs; none were needed.

    The 16 songs are standard Western swing fare, except for the theme song, which is a remarkable piece of work---wait till you hear it! And Ranger Doug contributes his smooth cowboy rendition of the Roy Rogers movie theme, "Along the Navajo Trail." Great "feel good" music, available for $15 + s&h www.thetimejumpers.com

Blue Montana Skies

-T.J. Casey

                                                    Fraternity Records

50 Years of Yodeling with

    Janet McBride

If you're looking for some excellent new swing music, don't miss this new CD. There are some nice ballads, too, but I was immediately attracted to the original swing tunes.

    The title song is totally different from the Gene Autry and Riders in the Sky songs bearing the same name. Actually, it's a little odd to find that song titles like "Sleepin' Out Under the Stars" and "Cowboys Lullaby" are actually Western swing tunes. Surprising, maybe, but it's certainly no disappointment!

    This album contains lots of "feel good" music, and I really enjoyed it!  More than half of these 12 original compositions are upbeat. There's nothing wrong with the others at all, but I especially enjoyed the upbeat tunes. 

    T.J. is a working cowboy, but he sure writes a good song, and his musicians, with contemporary arrangements, do a first-rate job. If you're looking for music that moves you (right out onto the dance floor), give a listen to this album. $17 ppd from Cowboy Enterprises, P.O. Box 167, Manhattan, MT 59741 or online at www.tjcasey.net .  

This long-awaited 2 CD set of 61 recordings spans the 50 year recording career of one of America's great yodelers and mentors. Janet McBride has won more awards and coached more youngsters than you can shake a stick at. This anthology of yodeling songs was recorded between 1951 ("He Taught Me to Yodel") when she was 17, and May, 2002 ("Santa's Yodeling Song").

    Janet wrote the autobiographical liner notes, and several of the songs she composed relate events from her own life's story. So listening to this album and reading the notes, you get a feel for influences that shaped her career. As she says, "Yodeling 'is' all I ever wanted to do."

    The earliest cuts show a talented but inexperienced youngster just getting started. These are valuable for historical purposes, but after just a couple of these, you hear a more seasoned voice, a fuller contingent of well-known supporting musicians and some super music. In a few instances, both early and later versions of songs are included for comparison.

    I started to choose some favorites not far into the first disc, but my list got so long so fast, I had to give it up! Suffice it to say that every Janet McBride fan will want this disc, and everyone who enjoys yodeling shouldn't miss it!

    Nice illustrations and good session information. $35 ppd from John Ingram, 1501 Wheatfield Ct., Mesquite, TX 75149

Sounds Like Texas

    -Dugg Collins

                                Startex Records ST-1001

Wanted

    -Robin Deeter

                                            Stardust

If you like Western swing, it's a sure bet you'll love this CD! Dugg Collins' voice shows hints of Ray Price at his smoothest, and the band is outstanding; superb musicians and arrangements.

    Most of the 14 songs are Western swing classics, like Cindy Walker's "Bubbles in My Beer," Fred Rose's "Roly Poly" and "Hang Your Head in Shame." But two of Dugg's own compositions are also included.  Excellent song selection throughout!

    The CD has already received rave reviews in major national magazines. Buy it and you'll see why! $16 + $3 s&h from producer Jim Loessberg, 2000 Magnolia Dr,. Round Rock, TX 78664

Joe Baker and Mike Gross give ringing endorsements in the liner notes for this new CD, Robin Deeter's second. Robin and noted Western swing producer Colonel Buster Doss chose a group of fantastic Western swing musicians to accompany her on this album. You can tell they're first-rate, right from the first notes of the first song.

    Doss, himself, wrote all of the album's 12 songs. While I'm particularly impressed with the band on all the swing tunes, I like Robin's delivery best on a couple of ballads, "Blue Monday" and "Sentimental Fool" and the swingin' "The Man I Love." Superb musicianship, great new tunes!
Robin's website: www.robindeeter.com

     Online from www.stardustcountrymusic.com