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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

We Were Cowboys

-Chuck Cusimano

        Working cowboy Chuck Cusimano has an excellent new CD. It’s all original material, and 2 of the 12 selections are poems. Chuck introduces each one, which gives the album an informal, friend-to-friend feel.

        He accompanies himself on rhythm guitar (plays lead on one), so you can imagine listening to him around a campfire or on the porch, just Chuck and his guitar. He has a great voice and his style will appeal to both country and Western fans, unless you’re only into modern country. This music bears no resemblance to that! This is the real deal, cowboy all the way. Emphasis is on contemporary cowboy life, but there's also atribute song to those who have gone on.

         Some selections are amusing, some serious—all enjoyable. $20 ppd from Cusimusico, P.O. 861, Trinidad, CO 81082 (questions: e-mail cusimusico@hotmail.com)

When Trails Meet

    -Belinda Gail & Curly Musgrave

 

    Call me mathematically challenged,  but when you hear this CD you'll agree that 1+1 = more than two! Belinda is the reigning WMA Female Vocalist of the Year. It's her 4th straight year! Curly is the current WMA Male Vocalist of the Year. But on this CD, you hear the synergy that happens when they work together.

    5 of the 13 selections are old gems: "Gallivantin' Galveston Gal," "Yodel Blues," Patsy Montana's "Ol' Nevada Moon," the great cowboy inspirational song "The Place Where I Worship (is the wide open spaces)," and Fleming Allan's "Singin' on the Trail." The rest are among today's finest compositions, and they fit this duo like a glove.

    Wait till you hear them do Michael Flemming's "High Sonoita" & "Texas Moon," Jack Hannah's "Prairie Girl," Les  Buffham's "Montana Lullaby," and the other four. I didn't mean to make a list; I simply can't pick just one or two favorites! They're all super! And the harmony is wonderful!

    Highly recommended! An excellent candidate for album of the year! Copies can be ordered through either  Curly J Productions, Box 512, Lake Arrowhead, Ca.  92352 (909) 338-3508 or  Broken Diamond Entertainment, 2120 Harvard Ct., Visalia, Ca. 93292, www.curlyjproductions.com
 

Spirit of the American West

    -Justus & the Montanas

    Except for Gene Autry's "Cowboy Blues," the 12 songs on this CD are originals by band members Jeff Harrison or Eddie Montana---and I like 'em! There's a steel guitar on a couple of tracks, and unobtrusive percussion at times, but otherwise the sound is acoustic. The vocal solos are easy on the ear and the harmony is mighty fine!

    It's hard to pick a favorite, but Jeff's "Alabama Hills" will surely appeal to fans of the old B-Westerns filmed at that famous California location. I'm partial to "Ride, Bandido," too. More favorites will surely emerge as I go back and listen again.

    $17.50 ppd from Jeff Harrison, 9045 Liatris Circle, Fountain Valley, CA 92708

   

Western Ballad Opera

John W. Bizzack and Marvin L. Adcock have combined forces to produce a Western Ballad Opera with 2 acts, "Joe, Moses & Doc" and "Abbey, Morgan & Reuben." Spoken narrative and lyrics in the booklet accompanying the disc allow the listener to follow the stories and enjoy the music. There's plenty of music, skillfully performed by the Pistol River Band. The music is contemporary in style, but the arrangements and sound effects evoke the atmosphere of stories set in the 1800s. An interesting audio novel of nine tales set to music. Call 800-279-7343 or www.pistolriver.net.

Hazy Mountains

    -Roy Rogers

                                                        British Archive of Country Music BACM CD D047

 

    Just when you thought everything Roy Rogers ever recorded had been issued on CD, here comes the British Archive with a collection of great rarities! A few have been reissued elsewhere, to be sure, like a couple from the film, Son of Paleface that starred Bob Hope & Jane Russell, along with Roy & Trigger, but I hadn't heard Roy's excellent Decca recording, "Down by the Alamo" and I'd never even heard of a number of the kiddie songs that are here.

    Dale Evans' beautiful title song is included (as are several other duets), as is "Wonderful Christmas Night" (with Foy Willing & the Riders of the Purple Sage), "Pliney Jane," "I Met a Miss in Texas," "Oh Dem Golden Slippers" (one of a couple of square dance tunes featuring Spade Cooley on fiddle),"  "The Kid with the Rip in His Pants" and Dale's composition, "Ah Ha San Antone" (taken from a broadcast) plus a couple of gospel tunes and a number of kiddie songs. Roy seems to really get into the mood on "Egbert the Easter Egg" (he probably figured, if you can't beat 'em, join 'em) and his rare "Peter Cottontail" and "Kiwi Bird" will make collectors happy. 22 songs in all, most in remarkably good shape. $23 ppd from Frontier Records, Box 157, Jenks, OK 74037 or $14 (without plastic jewel case) from British Archive of Country Music, 451 Folkestone Road, Dover, Kent, CT17 9JX, UK

Ridin' West

    -Cowboy Joe & the Babcocks

                                                                            Chimney Rock Records CCR 114A

 

    "Ghost Train," "Prairie Fire" and "Dusty Winds" are 2 of my favorite Marty Robbins recordings. And "Doggone Cowboy" has been recorded by a whole passel of cowboy singers.  I knew they were all composed by Joe Babcock. But I didn't know that Joe was also Cowboy Joe, who sings on this great new CD with his wife and daughter.

    He's the same fellow who sang with Marty on the road and on so many of his wonderful Western recordings, including Marty's 2nd & 3rd Gunfighter albums. Except for "Way Out There" and "Adobe Hacienda," all of the songs on this album are Joe's compositions.

     Joe sang harmony for years on TV and in the studio on numerous hit recordings with a long list of artists. Now, he's come back to his first love, Western music. Joe's voice doesn't sound like Marty's, but it's easy to see how he added the Western edge to the harmonies of Marty Robbins and the Glaser Bros. On one tune, when he's singing harmony with the gals, you can hear a hint of Hank Snow's phrasing and inflections in his voice. Snow, of course, was a great fan of the Sons of the Pioneers and recorded some fine Western material, himself. 

    There are 13 selections, one of which is an excellent medley. Superb compositions all. Most selections were not recorded by Marty Robbins, but arrangements sound like they were made for him. Since so many of these songs have not been recorded before (as far as I know), performers looking for great new material should be especially interested in this CD. Order from www.thebabcocks.com  or Joe Babcock, 108 Kings-Gate Lane, Franklin, TN 37064.

Texas Fiddlers

    -The Quebe Sisters

   

    This CD really knocked my hat in the creek! It's fantastic! It's not usually polite to talk about womens' ages, but, if you (and they) will forgive me, I think you'll be interested to know that The Quebe Sisters (pronounced Kway-be) are ages 12, 15 & 17. They also happen to be amazingly talented fiddlers!

    This is their first CD. On it they play Western swing, honky tonk and old-style Texas fiddle music, all with equal ease. It's an all-instrumental CD, but you're bound to love it, even if you're wedded to vocal music.

    Their solos are wonderfully executed. Their three-part fiddle harmony is exquisite. And there is enough variety in musical styles to keep the listener interested all the way through. Their honky-tonk stylings are reminiscent of Tommy Jackson's (Jackson was the fiddler who helped create Ray Price's style). Their Western swing (the opening tune is "San Antonio Rose") recalls Bob Wills' Texas Playboys. And you'll be thrilled with the new life they bring to the old-style Texas fiddle tunes. Famed steel guitarist Tom Morrell and bassist Mark Abbott, along with Gary Carpenter, Nathan Coates and teacher Joey McKenzie support the fiddlers with their own expert musicianship.

    Don't miss this one! Highly recommended! $18 ppd from Texas Fiddlers, P.O. Box 1844, Burleson, TX 76097-1844

Western Swing & Country Things

    -Smokey Rogers

                                                                                Cattle CCD 281

 

    Smokey Rogers was an important figure in Western swing on the West coast in the 1940s and '50s. He was closely associated with Spade Cooley, co-writing Cooley's biggest hit, "Shame on You." Smokey's band's recording of that song (on the Four Star label) is included on this CD. And he worked with Tex Williams & Deuce Spriggins as well, as a popular trio with the Cooley band. Smokey also recorded with Tex Williams' Western Caravan .  

    The records used for this CD compilation were on the Capitol, Four Star and Coral labels and most are in remarkably good shape. All of the material isn't equally strong, as might be expected on any project. But there's plenty of good stuf here. Most of the 25 recordings are vocals, even on some songs like "Panhandle Rag," that are usually done as instrumentals. But there's also an excellent instrumental which was the album's high point, for me. It's "Steel Guitar Jubilee," featuring the legendary Joaquin Murphy! There's a variety of music on the CD, some of which sounds a lot like Spade Cooley's band, and some of which doesn't. $23 ppd from Frontier Records, P.O. Box 257, Jenks, OK 74037

The Dean Brothers

    -Eddie & Jimmie Dean

                                                                                    Cattle CCD 278

 

    Every time I play an Eddie Dean song on my internet radio show (www.BostonPete.com/ojsikes) I get requests for more. On this CD we hear not only brothers Eddie and Jimmie singing duets; the first 5 cuts are by Jimmie and his trio! And they are good! Great versions of "Cimarron" and "San Antonio Rose," for example, from the 1940s. Trio members are not identified, but Wes Tuttle may appear on some songs.

    Then come 8 duets where Eddie's voice comes through clearly on gems like "Roll Along Prairie Moon" and "Oregon Trail." I'd heard songs from this era (the '30s) elsewhere, but they were so marred by surface noise I couldn't enjoy them. Here, they sound good!

    A short radio show of duets from the same era follows, but the sound shows some wear of the old transcription discs. Then come 9 superb Eddie Dean solos, in great shape. There's only one Western tune among the solos, but all are superb Dean from 1950-51, and I don't recall hearing any of them before. $23 ppd from Frontier Records, P.O. Box 157, Jenks, OK 74037

Wanderin' On--The Best of the Yodelling Ranger

    -Hank Snow

                                                                                            Bear Family BCD 16661

 

    Long before he moved to Nashville and became a legendary figure in country music, Hank Snow was a cowboy singer. Even after he came to the U.S. from his native Canada, he wanted to become a cowboy movie star. He travelled with his horse on personal appearances and recorded as many cowboy songs as possible. His interest in cowboy music continued throughout his life.

    When he began his career in Canada, he was called Hank the Yodelling Ranger. The recordings he made during this period were extremely rare until Bear Family found, restored and issued them in a 5-CD boxed set. Now, Bear Family had selected the best recordings from that set and issued them in this 25 song CD ranging from 1936 to 1948. Many are cowboy songs and quite a few include Hank's yodelling. Titles include "Prisoned Cowboy," "My San Antonio Mama," "Blue Ranger," Hank's own compositions "Out on the Open Range" & "Wanderin' On" among others,  Bob Nolan's "Let's Pretend" (Hank was a great fan of the Sons of the Pioneers), "There's a Picture on Pinto's Bridle," "Galveston Rose" and an early version of "When My Blue Moon Turns to Gold Again." 

     As is usually the case with Bear Family product, sound quality on most songs is outstanding.  A sessionography is included with a booklet by noted historian Charles Wolfe. Every Snow fan will want a copy of this one!  $19.95  phone 800-923-1122.

My Special Memories

    -Les Gilliam

                                                                                                Rockin' S Records RSG3021

 

    Also known as the "Oklahoma Balladeer," Les Gilliam has one of the most enjoyable voices in today's Western and country music. At least, that's my opinion. It's relaxing---makes you feel comfortable and better able to enjoy the music. His brief commentary introducing some of the songs on this CD puts them in context. You know why they form some of his "special memories," as the title says.

    And he's got some memories well worth sharing! His CD has already hit the airplay charts in the Western swing category, but it contains much more than swing. He's included some great Western tunes like "South of the Border" and "Strawberry Roan" which he associates fondly with Gene Autry, and and country songs like "At Mail Call Today" (another Autry song), "Bonaparte's Retreat," "Welcome to My World" and "I Love You a Thousand Ways." Listen to his treatment of the latter, a Lefy Frizzell classic Les does with such feeling he makes it his own.

    Most of these 15 songs are standards, but Les penned three nice ones, including the title cut. Excellent job! Available from Eagle Enterprises, P.O. Box 350, Ponca City, OK 74602, $17 ppd.