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THE O. J. CORRAL
MUSIC REVIEWS
BY
O. J. SIKES
UPDATED 02/27/03
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Roy Rogers
The Best of Roy Rogers
Music Digital CD 6214

PINTO PAL
-Eli Barsi
Vibrillium Records VB 30051
The title of this 22 song British import is appropriate in spite of a couple of questionable selections. Only the ASV release, "The King of the Cowboys" with three additional titles (the other 22 are identical to this one) is as comprehensive. The first four songs were recorded before Roy left the Pioneers and not all of the solos are his. The 1936 version of "Tumbling Tumbleweeds," which leads off, is constantly being touted in re-issues as a Rogers piece but the solo is Tim Spencer's. Most of Roy's later recordings with the Pioneers, e.g. "Blue Shadows on the Trail," are on this CD as are his movie themes, etc. Overall, the sound quality is good, but there are a couple of minor exceptions, probably noticeable only to strict audiophiles. $16 plus $6.50 s&h from The Happy Trails Gift Shop, Roy Rogers & Dale Evans Museum, 15650 Seneca Road, Victorville, CA 92392. PH 760-245-5503
It was such a pleasure to hear Eli Barsi in person at the 2001 WMA festival, after hearing her many times on Hugh McLennan's internet show (on www.cowboylife.com). She has really made an impact on Canadian audiences, and she knocked 'em out in Tucson!
    Her new CD is delightful. It features Eli's great voice and skillful yodeling, talented accompaniment (mostly acoustic, with some amplification) and a mix of standards and her own fine compositions. Lots of good music on these 10 selections. My favorites: "Wide, Rollin' Plains" and a swingin' "Don't Fence Me In."

 

COWGIRL SING

    -Jeanne Cahill

ANOTHER OKLAHOMA GUITAR PICKER   

    -Jerome Campbell
Just as an athlete puts a little "english" on the ball to guide it, Jeanne Cahill becomes one with the music she performs. There is nothing mechanical about it; the result is "cowboy soul." It makes her performances as pleasing to watch as they are to listen to.         Too bad this CD isn't a video, but you can still hear the "soul" in these renditions. With one exception, she sings all parts and plays all of the instruments on this CD, and she composed all of the songs. It's not entirely acoustic, but the acoustic sound predominates.
       There are 3 instrumentals among the 11 songs, each with a great melody and picturesque title, e.g. "Palomino in the Sun," "Desert After the Rain." Most melodies flow easily, but some are more complex. The real surprise in this album is a superb instrumental called "Spaghetti, Western Style," my favorite, followed closely by "Forever," which includes some lovely harmony. 
       Contact Jeanne at Rt. 1, Box 43, Strang, OK 74367

 
The 10 songs on this relaxing CD are done acoustic style, using  Martin D-28 and D-18 guitars. Jerome is an accomplished guitarist, and here he is presented all alone; not even a bass for accompaniment.
    The absence of a bass and rhythm guitar is a departure from most solo albums, but it seems to add to the relaxing nature of the project. There's no "hot" pickin', but with songs like Billy Hill's "Call of the Canyon," the beautiful civil war ballad "Lorena, and "Maria Elena," "Mexicali Rose" and other smooth tunes, fast pickin' would have interfered with the atmosphere.
    Contact Jerome at Rt.1, Box 43, Strang, OK 74367.

 

SUNSET ON THE RIO GRANDE
-Syd Masters & the Swing Riders
Vision 416-001

MILLENNIUM COWBOYS   
    -Everywhere West
The first time I heard this group was at a western swing dance, so I thought they limited themselves to swing. They don't. The opener on this CD, "Swingin' at the Cowboy Dance," swings, as does "Won't You Ride in My Little Red Wagon," but most of the material is good ol' cowboy music.
     Titles include Gene's "Cowboy Blues" and Roy's "When I Camped Under the Stars," as well as Syd's excellent originals (and my favorites), the lightly swinging "Under New Mexico Skies" and his beautiful ballad, "Cottonwood Snow," among others. There's much more, and this CD illustrates why Syd and his Riders are one of the most popular bands in New Mexico.
    Contact Deer Pine Music, 32 Salida del Sol Trail, Edgewood, NM 87015,phone (505) 281-5221.
This high-energy group provides one of the most listenable examples of a modern approach to western music. They don't put western lyrics to country rock arrangements, although they do make strong use of percussion (J. Karl Peterson) and electrification.
    Rex Allen heard their first recording and loved it. I like this new one better. Smooth-voiced Rick Martinez penned all 11 compositions, and phenomenal lead guitarist, Ryan Martin, produced the CD, which also features great fiddle work by Andrew Wilson.
    Standouts for me, include "Shawnee Trail," "Boogie," the group's theme song and a couple of ballads, "Last Ride Home" and "Colorado in the Rain."


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