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Rick Huff reviews Western music and cowboy poetry releases in his "Rick Huff's Best of the West Reviews" column in Rope Burns, The Western Way from the Western Music Association, other publications, and at CowboyPoetry.com,

We're pleased to have selected reviews below. Find an index of hundreds of Rick Huff's reviews here; there are six pages of reviews to date.

Rick Huff considers Western music books and recordings; cowboy poetry books, chapbooks, and recordings; and relevant videos for review. For other materials, please query first: bestofthewest@swcp.com

Please be sure to include complete contact information, price (plus postage) and order address information.
From Rick Huff, February, 2012:

Policy Of The Column: It should be understood by artists sending material that it is being done for review consideration. Submitting such material does not ensure that it will be reviewed. Also, predominantly religious material is not accepted for review in the column. If further clarification is needed, contact Rick Huff, PO Box 8442, Albuquerque, NM 87198-8442.

Rick Huff
P.O. Box 8442
Albuquerque, NM 87198-8442

Rick Huff has produced radio and TV ads and done TV hosting and deejay work for nearly 37 years. He's had his own production company in Albuquerque, New Mexico, since 1978.
His working interest in Western Music began in 1983, promoting and creating with Western Music Hall-of-Famer Hi Busse. In 1986 they developed the radio featurette "Song and Story with Hi Busse" and Huff subsequently released two albums of Hi Busse & The Frontiersmen material. He has co-produced CD's for Sons of the Rio Grande and Jim Jones.
In 1999 he and Sidekick Productions' Mary Ryland formed Frontiersmen 2 to co-produce their radio show "The Best of the West Revue" and its publication "The Best of the West Digest." In 2004 they released a double CD set, The Best of New Mexico Western: Big Surprises From Behind the Chile Curtain! and are currently working on Volume II - or as they like to call it Son of the Best of New Mexico Western!

Huff's "Western Air" column appears regularly in the Western Music Association's magazine, The Western Way. He also writes for Classic Country & Western magazine and Rope Burns. The column is a regular feature of the Western Music Association's quarterly magazine, The Western Way, and we're pleased to have recent columns posted here.

Selected Reviews from Rick Huff's Best of the West Reviews

Page 6

See page one for a complete alphabetical list of all reviews

(All reviews listed alphabetically by artist in a list below)

Posted 2/20
The Outlands by Andy Wilkinson & Andy Hedges
Lessons From A Desperado Poet by Baxter Black
No Wilder Place by Mary Kaye

Posted 2/22
Campfire on the Road—Lone Cowboy II by Michael Martin Murphey
The Gang by Jon Chandler
Lomax by Gary S. Pratt

Posted 12/14
Watching Eagles Fly by Fred Hargrove
Breakin' Out by The Red Hot Rhythm Rustlers

Posted 12/12
Dancin' in Denver by Patty Clayton
Songcatcher by Judy Coder

Posted 12/7
Rougher As You Go by Steven Spalding
How The Cowboys Swung The West by The Stardust Cowboys

Posted 12/6
Crazy Western Swing by Barbara Nelson
The Itinerant Lady by V the Gypsy Cowbelle

Posted 12/1
Tales From The Trail by the BAR-D Wranglers
Riding the Pulp Trail by Paul S. Powers, edited by Laurie Powers

Posted 11/30
On the Outskirts of Crazy, More or Less by Brenda Libby
A Cowboy's Guide to Growing Up Right by Slim Randles

Posted 11/28
Rudolph's Night Off by Baxter Black
Casey Tibbs—Born to Ride by Rusty Richards

Posted 11/24
Twelve Mile Road by Dave Stamey
I Wrote This by Chuck Cusimano

Reviews on this Page

Alphabetically by artist, below

This is page six

A
Oh, Sweet Mama by Sourdough Slim & Robert Armstrong

B
Tales From The Trail by the BAR-D Wranglers
Lessons From A Desperado Poet by Baxter Black
Rudolph's Night Off by Baxter Black
A Harder Place to Leave by Broken Chair Band
A Cowboy and his Sweetheart by Roz Brown

C
Hal Cannon by Hal Cannon
The Gang by Jon Chandler
Along the Christmas Trail by Cisco Jim
Dancin' in Denver by Patty Clayton
Songcatcher by Judy Coder
Symposium 2011 by the Cowboy Poets of Utah
The BAR-D Roundup: Volume Six from CowboyPoetry.com
Hard Times by Ben Crane
A Western Legacy by Cecil Cravens
I Wrote This by Chuck Cusimano

D
Live in High River by "Ol' Ugly," Doris Daley, and Jim Peace
Tonekei by Holly Davis

F
All Roads Lead West by the Flying J Wranglers

G
Songs from the Saddle Shop by Genuine Cowgirls

H
In The Valley Below by Greg Hager
Watching Eagles Fly by Fred Hargrove
Emus and Owhoots by Sid Hausman
Mining the Motherlode by Andy Wilkinson & Andy Hedges
The Outlands by Andy Wilkinson & Andy Hedges
My Horse Knows the Way Home by Horse Crazy Cowgirl Band

K
Wild Rose by Katy Creek
Morning After Rain by Paul Kern
Old Stories by Jo Lynne Kirkwood

L
On the Outskirts of Crazy, More or Less by Brenda Libby
Ranch Cowboy Music by Daron Little

Mc
Little Bird by Paula Rhae McDonald

M
A Cattlestrophic Compilation by Many Strings and Company
Fall Roundup by Richard Martin
BlueRange by Ernie Martinez
No Wilder Place by Mary Kaye
All I've Ever Known by Pat Meade
Florida Crackers;The Cattlemen And Cowboys of Florida by John Michie
Things A Cowboy Sees by Rod Miller
A Little Place Of Our Own by Michael and Dawn Moon
Campfire on the Road—Lone Cowboy II by Michael Martin Murphey

N
Calf Pullin' Made Easy by Terry Nash
Crazy Western Swing by Barbara Nelson

O
Live in High River by "Ol' Ugly," Doris Daley, and Jim Peace

P
Live in High River by "Ol' Ugly," Doris Daley, and Jim Peace
The Good Gone Days by Rick Pickren
Forgotten by Steve Porter
Gone West by L.K. Potts
Riding the Pulp Trail by Paul S. Powers, edited by Laurie Powers
Saddle Up by Prairie Moon
Lomax by Gary S. Pratt

R
A Cowboy's Guide to Growing Up Right by Slim Randles
Breakin' Out by The Red Hot Rhythm Rustlers
Casey Tibbs—Born to Ride by Rusty Richards
Continuing the Legacy by Roy Rogers Jr. & Dustin Roy Rogers
Peace, Love, and Horses by Jared Rogerson

S
The Littlest Wrangler by J.R. Saunders
Let the Cowboy Sing by Del Shields
Unsung Heroes (Guitar Songs of the American West) by Charles David Smart
Cowboys Are the Magic by Kip Sorlie
Oh, Sweet Mama by Sourdough Slim & Robert Armstrong
Rougher As You Go by Steven Spalding
Coming To A Honky Tonk Near You by Lonnie Spiker
Twelve Mile Road by Dave Stamey
How The Cowboys Swung The West by The Stardust Cowboys

T
The Official Sidekick Handbook by Too Slim and Texas Bix Bender
Western Tales by Trails & Rails

V
The Itinerant Lady by V the Gypsy Cowbelle

W
Mining the Motherlode by Andy Wilkinson & Andy Hedges
The Outlands by Andy Wilkinson & Andy Hedges
West of Somewhere by Jim Wilson

Various Artists
Symposium 2011 by the Cowboy Poets of Utah
The BAR-D Roundup: Volume Six from CowboyPoetry.com
Live in High River by "Ol' Ugly," Doris Daley, and Jim Peace

The Outlands
Andy Wilkinson & Andy Hedges

To me the releases of the two Andys are hooked to locales, in a loose-limbed way…places of the land and the spirit…where we experience people, attitudes, visions, events and effects. But that’s me.

In their newest collaboration they are again joined by Emily Arellano and Alissa Hedges on harmony work and some lead vocals. The overall effect is nicely reminiscent of Wilkinson’s heralded and awarded stage production My Cowboy from some time back. And once again there’s an appropriate mix of new and older Wilkinson originals here. “The Crooked Trail,” “The Mustang’s Song,” and an a cappella take of “The Poet’s Catch Rope” are notable among them. Andy Hedges provides solid, rangy vocals on classics such as “Saddle Bum,” “Whiskey Bill” and in reciting “The Rodeo Hand.” There’s a very rarely heard version of “Old Chisholm Trail” here, too. Of course they’d use the uncommon one!

I suspect when the Andys someday turn off the lights, they will have amassed a body of work that will be hailed as both stylistically masterful and important. No small feat.

CD: www.andyandandy.com; $17.98 through www.cdbaby.com or MP3 download for $9.99

© 2012, Rick Huff

Lessons From A Desperado Poet
Baxter Black

This volume may eventually rank as one of the best self-help books ever turned out. And that turned out doesn’t mean “in the pasture.” It should prove to be particularly relevant for pull-yourself-up-by-the-bootstrappers like us!

Here our esteemed cowboy Ppet humorist charts his life’s course from po’ to vet, then from pro vet to poet. Or, as the book jacket tells you, “How to find your way when you don’t have a map, how to win the game when you don’t know the rules and when someone says it can’t be done what they really mean is they can’t do it.” Dotted through the good-humored and humorous text are 118 delineated life lessons that should be memorized by every student or student of life. By personal example Baxter shows you how to keep from steppin’ in it or, at least, how to grow something in it if you do.

“Lessons…” is loaded with them and it features historic personal photos and great true stories from one of the master storytellers of our time. If you don’t buy this book from being told that, then I guess you didn’t learn your lesson!

Book (hardcover): $22.95, www.BaxterBlack.com and booksellers everywhere

© 2012, Rick Huff

No Wilder Place
Mary Kaye

And now the question of our Western Age: How can such a good girl have such a good bad girl voice? On this new release Mary Kaye (Knaphus) proves again she can stretch to handle anything from haunting ballads to feel-good swing and she can bring out a level of sass and fight in her voice that few other ladies in Western have yet demonstrated!

A couple of answer songs are included this time. One is “Jenny’s Lament,” a musical response to Michael Burton’s much-covered “Night Rider’s Lament.” We now have the character Jenny’s view of how crazy they’ve gone out there. Mary Kaye’s other answer song has you hopin’ babies “Grow Up To Be Cowboys.” So take that, “Mammas!”

You’ll find a nice variety of styles, tempos and ideas to enjoy. Frankly all the tracks could qualify as “picks,” but I’ll mention “Fringe,” “No Wilder Place” (a co-write with the ever co-writing Les Buffham), “Any Name Will Do” and “Road To Prescott.” Fourteen tracks total.

CD $15 plus $3 s/h by calling 435-851-4373 or emailing maryknaphus@yahoo.com

© 2012, Rick Huff

Campfire on the Road—Lone Cowboy II
Michael Martin Murphey

Murphey up close, “live” and personal: him and the guitar. That was the appeal of Lone Cowboy I. It’s the appeal of Lone Cowboy II, which is actually called Campfire on the Road.

The title track by John Williamson is an Aussie song of protest and rights (fancy Murphey taking on causes!). In content the tracks include studies in lyric depth (three co-writes with Boomer Castleman, “Boy From The Country,” “Texas Morning,” and “West Texas Highway”) and then he sees and raises with a pair (”Lost River” and his artistically abstract “Crystal”). His cowboy crowd gets a nod with “Spanish is the Lovin’ Tongue”; his oldie “Geronimo’s Cadillac” done acoustically; “Red River Valley”; and a quirky “Old Chisholm Trail” that frankly might have benefitted from a little judicious post-concert tightening.

It’s exactly what his ardent fans will value most in this kind of format…Murphey doing as he damn well pleases and in just that language. They’ll eat it up.

CD: $15 through www.westernjubilee.com; www.murphsranchmarket.com

© 2012, Rick Huff

The Gang
Jon Chandler

Jon Chandler is a guy who is known by segments of the population. Many around the world know the novelist, many know the singer/songwriter, and many know the accomplished Colorado session man. And absolutely none of them know him as well as he deserves to be known!

Here is one of those musicians who is known and treasured by fellow musicians. I’ve mentioned his participation when I’ve seen it on albums, but I’ve been hoping one of his own would come so I could begin the lauding in earnest. So, here goes! He writes incomparable songs. Hearing him do his writes and co-writes here is a thrill, songs like “Through the Gap,” “Hoofbeats on Stone” or “Listen to the Saint of Empty Saddles.” And then feel some of the finest poetry of the cowboy heart, both filmic and real.

“The Gang” refers to both Butch Cassidy’s Hole-in-the-Wall Gang and the riders who have, for more than twenty years, made The Ride to where it happened, Chandler among them. The tracks here are inspired by happenings, places and people on The Ride. Ok, ‘nuff said. And yet not even close. If you don’t have Jon Chandler in your Western collection, your collection is incomplete. Fix it.

CD: $17.95 ppd through www.jonchandler.com for the CD; digital downloads for $10.95; and individual songs for $1.25 each.

© 2012, Rick Huff

Lomax
Gary S. Pratt

I had an idea a while back about taking some of the lost songs from Jack Thorp’s Songs Of The Cowboys and putting new melodies to them. Gary Pratt has done it with some drawn from John A. Lomax’s monumental writings. And not since Rick Pickren chose to bring the state songs into a palatable framework has anyone taken on a bigger challenge!

Pulling vintage lyrics written by real cowboys into a modern context and arrangements is no simple task, but it’s appropriate for Gary Pratt—a real cowboy, accomplished singer and manager of the Chickasaw Nation’s ranch operations—to be the one doing it. And since cowboys of the time changed words and added melodies of their own, Pratt is actually just carrying on a grand tradition. Stand-alone picks in the collection include “Only A Cowboy,” “Just a’ Ridin’” and “Cowboy’s Meditation.” Deciding what words went with which tempo and feel must have been an interesting process, and will likely inspire others to fish in similar waters. Eleven tracks total.

CD: $15 ppd through www.thefamilyranch.com or from Gary S. Pratt, PO Box 951, Davis, OK 73030.

© 2012, Rick Huff

Twelve Mile Road
Dave Stamey

All I can say about this multiple award-winning entertainer is obvious and redundant to those who know him. This newest release is, of course, once again, superb…flawless!

Here you’ll find the customary outstanding variety, wonderful thought-provoking concepts, great melodies with infectious rhythms. Here again you’ll discover songs that are destined to be picked up and covered by others…seldom as well as their creator’s takes on them, of course. And once again the songs are fully annotated as to source and inspiration. “If I Had Money” is almost a sequel to Dave’s popular “If I Had A Hat” (same guy, same result!); “Never Gonna Rain” (“…this country’s gonna pick you clean…”); the haunting but rhythmic “Blackjack Was A Mule”; and thoughts we all wish we’d had in music like “Comfortable Shoes”; “Wild Sierra” (which he says is the first song he wrote that he didn’t throw away); “Twelve Mile Road”; and on and on and on…

Let’s wrap this up. Every note the man plays or sings is a must-own! There! So much for redundancy. Twelve tracks total.

CD: $18 postpaid through www.davestamey.com

© 2011, Rick Huff

I Wrote This
Chuck Cusimano

I Wrote This serves a dual purpose. It’s the sweet title track of the collection, but it shouldn’t come as any surprise that Chuck Cusimano “wrote this.”

It’s a CD-load of songs that fit perfectly the Western Swing and Honky Tonk formula…namely, clever wordplay (“Time Off For Bad Behavior,” or “…I’m Two Steppin’ and you’re through steppin’ on this true lovin’ heart with your two-timin’ mind!)” You get rousing, boot-scootin’ arrangements, a dash of cheatin’ and a scoop of meetin!’, a healthy chunk of Texas (“San Antonio Waltz” and “San Antonio Blues”) and…my gosh, here’s more Les! It’s yet another collaboration with Les Buffham (“Man In The Moon”). That’s rapidly becoming a good luck charm on artists’ albums.

There are two Christmas “bonus tracks” including his own Red Sovine-style entry called “Ten Dollar Toy.” Chuck Cusimano is a guy who knows how to do it and who to play it with. Did somebody say “WINNING?” Fourteen tracks total.

CD: $20 postpaid through www.chuckcusimano.com and www.cdbaby.com/chuckcusimano

© 2011, Rick Huff

Rudolph's Night Off
Baxter Black (with illustrations by Bill Patterson)

‘Twas the mail before Christmas and what should be in it
But a big book from Baxter at the very last minute!
Rudolph’s gone lame and Santy is vexed
So a goat full of radium winds up being next
To get harnessed up. With artwork so vibrant
This Baxter Black verse on St. Nick and his migrant
Team does shine brightly, in more ways than one.
The DVD with it is also great fun!
As you might expect it’s a wacky delight
With one small surprise. It’s a gas-powered flight!
So pick up a copy. Display it with pride!
Let Baxter and Bill take you all for a ride!

Book and CD: www.baxterblack.com and booksellers including Amazon and Barnes and Noble

© 2011, Rick Huff

Casey Tibbs—Born to Ride
by Rusty Richards

The cover proclaims this to be “the ONLY authorized biography” of the amazing rodeo rider Casey Tibbs, a man literally immortalized in song and story. The songs you’ve likely heard. Thankfully now the real story made up of so many stories can be savored.

When it was pointed out to singer/songwriter and former Sons Of The Pioneers and Frontiersmen member Rusty Richards that only he was in a position to issue this book, he felt unequal to the task. He sent a bit of it to his friend and lifelong hero Casey Tibbs, whose response was “I like it! Write me some more!” That’s what you call “authorized!” It’s a tale about a prankster, a champion of champions and a cowboy artfully rendered by a cowboy. It’s wild, bucking, thoughtful, haunted, hilarious, heartfelt hell shown in Cinemascope! Did I mention there’s something here for everybody?

Tibbs was larger than life because he packed more into it than should be allowed by law (ok, some of it wasn’t), and appropriately this book feels larger than its pages and binding. It’ll sunfish with you…taking you directions you may not expect. Hop aboard the hurricane deck of this one. It’s quite a ride!

Book (hardcover): $24.95 from www.moonlightmesaassociates.com and from the author at www.rustyrichards.com, also available in softcover.

© 2011, Rick Huff

On the Outskirts of Crazy, More or Less
Brenda Libby

We’re only too happy to let you know features of the South Dakota singer/songwriter Brenda Libby’s CD include fine Western songs that have interesting things to say. Vocally she has a sweetly expressive voice that is at times reminiscent of Belinda Gail.

Almost surely some of the original material here will be picked up for use on other artists’ releases. Picks include “Black Hills, Blue Skies,” “Fire Dances ‘Cross The Skies,” and “Mother Sage.” The album is actually cited as a 2010 release, but we like to catch up when we’ve missed something worth pointing out. Brenda Libby is an artist who’s worth your attention and investment. Twelve tracks total.

CD: $17 ppd US, Canada (two for $32, 3 for $45!) from Brenda Libby, 13816 George Place, Keystone, SD 57751, through www.cdbaby.com and www.brendalibbymusic.com.

© 2011, Rick Huff

A Cowboy's Guide to Growing Up Right
Slim Randles

You could think of it as being Winning Friends & Influencing People by Dale “Cow”negie…but I wish you wouldn’t!

This engaging little book of personal experiences and insights doesn’t harp or lecture. It just offers humorous thoughts and practical practices that have come in handy for Randles as he’s ridden down his own trail of maturing. And as those of us who champion The Cowboy Way have been saying for many years, the cowboy way ain’t a bad way! You might discover some of his common sense chapter titles are still pretty surprising. Try “Lie To Yourself Now & Then!” (he explains it); “To Think Right First Straighten Your Shoes” (there’s a reason); or “Out Of A Job? Give Your Work Away!” (there’s a darn good reason)! Also here you’ll find “Ride For The Brand,” “Find A Mentor,” “Find A Passion,” “Pick Your Friends Before They Pick You,” and more that can, when properly applied, chisel good character.

Randles waited quite a few years before showing the text to anyone, but once it was seen he was encouraged to release it. You’ll be glad he did.

Book: $8.95 + $ s/h through www.amazon.com.

© 2011, Rick Huff

Tales From The Trail
BAR-D Wranglers

This CD doesn’t feature the absolute newest incarnation of the venerable chuckwagon dinner show band, but it’s close…with Gary Cook (vocals, guitars, mandolin), Matt Palmer (vocals, fiddle) and Joel Racheff (vocals, upright bass). Richard Lee Cody had yet to arrive. But this is the first release dedicated to the group’s wackier side since the retirement of Cy Scarborough!

If the raucous laughter you encountered at one of their shows obscured any words, you can clearly pick them up here as this studio recording was made without an audience. Intact are such goofy goodies as “Old Matt Palmer’s Farm,” “There’s A Hole In The Bottom Of The Sea,” “Mike The Headless Chicken,” “The Universe Song,” “If You Want To Be A Cowboy,” “Reincarnation,” “The Widow & The Fairy” and covers of “The Auctioneer,” “Pecos Bill,” “ I’m My Own Grandpa,” “Lord Mr. Ford” and “Mississippi Squirrel Revival!”

Good fun from some of the great chuckwagon entertainers. Recommended!

CD: $15 at Bar-D Wrangler shows or add $4 s/h for mailing by contacting Gary Cook (970) 749-2572; www.bardchuckwagon.com.

© 2011, Rick Huff

Riding the Pulp Trail
Paul S. Powers, edited by Laurie Powers

Writer/editor Laurie Powers has offered a multi-level entertainment in issuing here the works, published and unpublished, of her successful pulp Western writer grandpa Paul. Not only can we relive some of “those thrilling days of yesteryear” when heroes and villains were easy to spot, but the writers among us get a developmental look at an author’s efforts to get more than just the same formulaic stories accepted.

Paul Powers cranked out new stories weekly for Wild West Weekly and other cowboy action mills aimed at the bug-eyed youth market, and he worked the genre masterfully. In this handsome collection are six published and six non-published stories, all with plenty of blazing action and “good overcomes evil” endings. Powers’ popular misunderstood force for good Sonny Tabor rides again in a story not issued before, and there are more favorite tales and new discoveries to be made. The pulps were definitely part of the popularization of the cowboy to audiences the world over, and this volume lets us experience again the unabashed romance of it. Well worth your time.

Book (paperback): $24.95 through www.amazon.com .

© 2011, Rick Huff

Crazy Western Swing
Barbara Nelson

Album by album more musicians drift in behind Barbara Nelson, a swingin’ lady singer-guitarist who’s kept the fire burnin’ for ‘em!

Her earlier releases featured her big-band crooning vocals and that jazzy guitar, then it was her and an additional player, then two. The effect has always been enjoyable, yet you yearned for more…or I did, anyway, in print. Now we’re up to a band of five and I’m likin’ it pretty well. But I’m still gonna campaign for a Nelson/Saddle Cats collaboration!

There’s a smoky club combo (and perhaps slightly improvised) effect in these fifteen tracks that range from pop Swing standards (“Java Jive,” “Honeysuckle Rose,” “I’m Beginning To See The Light,” etc.) to Country greats (“Crazy,” “Tennessee Waltz,” “Don’t It Make My Brown Eyes Blue”)…and “Home On The Range” all swung (or waltzed) as appropriate.

Give her a spin and she’ll give you a swing. I think that’s an even trade!

CD: $15.99 ppd through www.barbaranelsonmusic.com or from Barbara Nelson, 72521 Tutuilla Creek Road, Pendleton, OR 97801.

© 2011, Rick Huff

The Itinerant Lady
"V" the Gypsy Cowbelle

The “itinerant lady” of the title is Ms. “V” herself, as she wandered across the countryside, doing odd jobs (and even odder ones), writing and recording where she could across a two-year period of time.

I like the presentation of V’s CDs. Copiously annotated as to context and content, her songs have a feel from another time and place…as if they could be from the Civil War or the Wild West (her homemade banjo and frailing style assist in that effect!), and yet they can still maintain a modern context. Each is inspired by who she meets, what she hears and what happens next. Did she really run afoul of the law in Elko at the Poetry Gathering? It’s happened before!

Among her various conspirators (producers) on this collection are Michael Hurwitz and Richard Chon, which should give you some indication that quality was still paramount as she traipsed around. If very traditional sound with a folksy, bluegrass edge well done is your thing, try this thing!

CD: www.gypsycowbelle.com or www.cdbaby.com

© 2011, Rick Huff

Rougher As You Go
Steven Spalding

Here’s a veteran of Nashville who’s moseyed over to the Western fence.

On this home-grown and home-recorded album Steven Spalding plays all instruments and sings all parts. It’s a collection featuring some of his newer Western material done mostly with electronic instrumental support, but basically the point gets made (except possibly on “Gal From Tennessee” where, for me at least, a Mexican trumpet effect doesn’t quite hit the mark).

Picks from the collection include the title track “Rougher As You Go,” “Cowboys Of Yesterday” and the poem “Ride For The Brand.” In that group I also would have included the very well arranged song “Real Cowboys” except I’m not quite convinced you’d have universal agreement on what Spalding offers as the key points that make a cowboy “real.”

It’s a congenial little collection of eight songs and two poems total. You might give it a try and artists might like to scope it out for songs to possibly cover.

CD: $15 plus $2 s/h from Steven Spalding, 802 Wasson Drive, Nixa, MO 65714.

© 2011, Rick Huff

How The Cowboys Swung The West
The Stardust Cowboys

Technically the name is “The Stardust Cowboys starring in ‘How The Cowboys Swung The West!’” When The Stardust Cowboys say in their notes, “Welcome to our brand of Cowboy Swing,” that’s a true statement. And it truly is that distinctively different swing animal I’ve been pointing out. This is Cowboy Swing…meaning the beat without “the cheat.”

Fans of our Western Music genres understand that a group from within our ranks will likely have its own approach. That may sound radical to the uninitiated, but it’s true with us. On the latest release from this band there are two good covers (“Blue Mesa” and “Along The Navajo Trail”). Otherwise it’s all Gary & Vicki Campbell originals. For my ear occasionally the lyrics get a bit complex, but that’s me…and they’ve been galloping right along for a good while without me. And they do what they do well.

Give ‘em a spin! Twelve tracks total and one brief tribute lift from the late Sal Sage.

CD: $15 + $5 s/h from The Stardust Cowboys, 20009 Redwood Ct., Forest Hill, CA 95631 or through www.stardustcowboys.com

© 2011, Rick Huff

Dancin' in Denver
Patty Clayton

The cover of Patty Clayton’s newest release may have her lookin’ sorta like a cowgirl Swan Lake balladrina, but musically…as always…Patty is “on point!”

Most of this one is danceable, as you might expect from the title. Using what might otherwise be considered bluegrass or folk instrumentation, the swing tracks, waltzes, two-steps and boot scoots abound. But other surprises come along the way, too. The title track “Dancin’ In Denver” is a samba, a deceptively spritely tempo showcases the rancher’s tragedy song “Black Hay,” and on a dancier disc of Clayton’s, you’d better be ready to hula some too (“Pau Riders” and “Cowboy Hula (Na Cowboy).” And there’s one of those haunting mystery saga songs here, too (“Looking Glass”). The chorus of her tribute song “Wanda Walker” may have people ready to sing “Davy…Davy Crockett.”

The multi-award winning Patty Clayton is always deserving of your attention, and this disc is pretty much guaranteed to hold it to the end. Eleven tracks total.

CD: $15.50 through www.cdbaby.com and other prices on other e-sources; www.pattyclayton.com.

© 2011, Rick Huff

Songcatcher
Judy Coder

For Songcatcher, Judy Coder chose songs that would catch attention. I have to say (with tongue in cheek) that I like the collection even though she led it off with perhaps my least favorite song in the Western catalog…Stan Jones’ “Wringle Wrangle”…topped in my esteem only by Autry’s “Tweedle-O-Twill” which, happily, neither she nor others include in anything nowadays!

Coder is known for her yodeling, but with this release she may become known for her balladeering. That’s the point of this exercise. Including three songs from the team of Dianne Gillenwater & Cally Krallman can certainly help (the haunting saga songs “What Jacob Really Saw” and “Ankaree Breaks” along with their jollier “Silver Spurs”). Coder does nice versions of Joyce Woodson’s comic overcompensation for divorce “She’s in Love with Her Horse,” R.W. Hampton’s “When It Rains” and…get this for an addition to our Western repertoire…Lennon & McCartney’s “Golden Slumbers!” Sixteen tracks total and you’ll wish there were twenty!

CD: $15 CD or $9.99 MP3 download through www.cdbaby.com; www.judycoder.com

© 2011, Rick Huff

Watching Eagles Fly
Fred Hargrove
Fred Hargrove is—or for quite a while was—among the artists who can wow audiences in live performance, but who have been in desperate need of production and recording people who are as competent as they are. As this release proves, he is now set and ready to go as far as he wants.

This is Hargrove’s second successful collaboration with Don Richmond at Howlin’ Dog Studios near Alamosa, Colorado. He now has the kind of support that lets artists show their art. Along with solid arrangements and nine original songs, including three inspired by the art of Rick Unger (“Watching Eagles Fly,” “The Bevo Song” and “Ballad Of Sheriff Warrick”), on this release is a fresh spin on John Denver’s “Rocky Mountain High” that made me appreciate the war horse in a new way. There is a crediting faux pas I must point out. Cited as inspiration for “My Adobe Doublewide” is “Hank Snow’s ‘My Adobe Hacienda.’” That classic song was written by Louise Massey but co-credited (long story) to Lee Penny.

Thirteen tracks plus a “free bonus track.” What is that nutty trend about??!

CD: $16 ppd from Fred Hargrove, PO Box 730, Monte Vista, CO 81144-0730.

© 2011, Rick Huff

Breakin' Out
The Red Hot Rhythm Rustlers
The distinctive Western Music showband that came together in part through jamming at November’s Western Music Association Awards Show & Showcase a while back is shown to very good advantage in this release.

The “Busters” are made up of the wonderfully harmonious ladies from Journey West (Audrey McLaughlin, vocals & rhythm guitar and Dawn Pett & Gale Rogers, vocals ) with singer/songwriter and bass player Marvin O’Dell and Tom Boyer on lead guitar. This means it’s also the crux of the musical support for the Silver Screen Cowboys stage show. Add in some studio guys to further broaden the effect (Bryan Kuban, fiddle; Doug Bartlett, fiddle & mandolin and Andy Varner, fiddle) and you’ve got a package that’s set to do serious business.

In this collection the band alternately swings and delivers power ballads with the consistent proficiency. Picks include Devon Dawson & Allan Chapman’s “Gypsy Moon,” Michael Fleming’s “My Only Love,” Patty Clayton’s “Just A Little Bit Cowgirl,” Herb Jeffries’ famous theme “I’m A Happy Cowboy” and O’Dell’s tribute to Jeffries “The Bronze Buckaroo.” Lots to like, with twelve tracks total.

CD: $15 plus $3.95 s/h through www.musikode.com/products.

© 2011, Rick Huff

Mining the Motherlode
Andy Wilkinson & Andy Hedges

These guys produce Western the same way Woody Guthrie did. If it fits the people, it fits the West. In fact three of Guthrie’s sardonic works are on this newest CD from the Texas collaborators…and “Oklahoma Hills” ain’t one of ‘em!

Andy Wilkinson has long brought a cutting edge to his songs and Andy Hedges obviously has no problem following suit. This time it’s farmer and rancher woes, from within and without. Among Wilkinson’s 12 original songs and poems this time are “Cradle Of The Wind,” “Hang & Rattle,” “Old Timey Heart,” “No Room For Big Shots,” “This River Don’t Burn,” the CD’s title track and others. It’s nice to hear his warning on irresponsible water use “Sandstone Champaign” get dusted off here. In case the message might not prove to be sufficiently abrasive to certain powers-that-be, the CD also offers Mother Maybelle Carter’s “No Depression,” Uncle Dave Macon’s “Farm Relief” and the Bentleys’ “Down On Penny’s Farm.”

Also featured on some tracks is fine vocal work from Emily Arellano and Alissa Hedges. From stem to stern warning it’s superior stuff. Eighteen tracks total.

CD: $17.98 through cdbaby.com or MP3 download for $9.99 from the same source.

© 2011, Rick Huff

Florida Crackers; The Cattlemen And Cowboys of Florida
directed by John Michie

This eye-opening DVD is produced by Rob & Susan James and directed by John Michie. After viewing it you’ll likely come away agreeing with the participants. As Jim Wilson recently sang “Everywhere’s West Of Somewhere,” but the Florida cowhunters tend to feel they’ve been left out, and for no good reason.

Even the dictionary lists two disparaging definitions of “cracker” before the correct ones are given. It’s a term of pride used by the Celtic-descended Florida cowboy culture. It’s generally accepted that the word “cracker” came from the whip cracking drovers who herd more with them and cur cowdogs than with throws of a rope. These folks point out some things across the 87 minutes you spend with them here. Items like the fame of the cowboy being based on ten years worth of cattle drives out West when the Florida cowboys have done it for 300 years and counting! And cattle, horses and cowboys were first in Florida (their history predates even the Mexican charros, back to Ponce de Leon)! And the operation named “Ranch Of The Century” is a Florida spread! Stuff like that. No wonder they’re defensive!

The production team clearly loves and respects their subject. As with most projects of the type, there is considerable repetition of theme to get the point across and, as is stated at two different points in the DVD, “They taught us all we know but not all they know!” But this will give you insight that is long overdue into one of the strongest and most viable cowboy cultures. Highly recommended.

DVD: available from www.selfdiscoveryproductions.com.

© 2011, Rick Huff

Cowboys Are the Magic
Kip Sorlie

Kip Sorlie states his poems are not the result of training or natural gifts. As for the training part we’ll have to take him at his word, but the gift aspect is another matter.

Alluding to the contexts for the works, on the jacket Sorlie calls himself “a grandfather, father and son” and says “the three of us hope the sincerity overcomes the lackings.” It does, but the “lackings” are few. And his phrase about “gladly accepting the blame for an unexpected tear through which the painted pictures seen touched a heart”…is art!

His concise verse covers everything from the height of the stars to the warmth of a hug. At times he offers unique surprises worthy of O Henry. Try these lines of two souls separated on a rainy day: “Grief of separation, a single day apart, had forced the need of both to seek the other’s heart.” Come to find out they are an Appaloosa horse and a four year old girl!

Yes, the sincerity wins out. And so will you, putting this book on your shelf. One hundred thirty-one pages.

Book (hardcover): $30 ppd from Kip Sorlie, 24327 446^th Avenue, Winfred, SD 57076. (605) 247-3271.

© 2011, Rick Huff

Oh, Sweet Mama!
Sourdough Slim & Robert Armstrong

Another charmer has sashayed in from that Vo-Do-Dee-O-Dude himself Sourdough Slim, and this time finds him reunited with the equally wonderful multi-instrumentalist and singer Robert Armstrong (from Slim’s CD Live From The Strawberry Music Festival). I have to say it’s purty crafty partnerin’ up with a superior musician who can also wrangle yer CD art and layout!

There are fine originals here, but there are few better times to be had in Western music than when Sourdough Slim, tongue firmly in cheek, cuts loose on the dourest vintage lyrics he can unearth, like “My Last Old Dollar,” “Women, Women, Women” or a blues song bearing a famous title “Sittin’ On Top Of The World!” And the near-military snap he gives to warhorses “Old Faithful,” “Wahoo” and “Rollin’ Along” will have you rolling as well. But there’s also astonishing musicianship behind the fun, and it shines brightly on loving treatments like they give to “Sunset Trail.”

Sixteen tracks total. Oh, Sweet Mama! is a good’n!

CD: $15 ppd from www.sourdoughslim.com or direct from Sourdough Slim, PO Box 2021, Paradise, CA 95967

© 2011, Rick Huff

BlueRange
Ernie Martinez

Longtime performer and session man Ernie Martinez writes this collection lets him explore his love for Western and Bluegrass. Just wait til you hear him cut loose into the second half of “Along The Navajo Trail” as an up tempo Bluegrass instrumental. You’ll look for the white lightning to strike!

We were first introduced to Ernie’s elevated musicianship as part of the chuckwagon band Everywhere West (rumored to be back together again, but maybe more on that later). And does he ever shine here! His original title track is tremendous as are his covers of “Ol’ Double Diamond,” “El Rancho Grande,” and others. He does his own version of Sandy Reah’s “Last Roundup” after playing on her album (she’s with him here, too) and finally the 1970s pop hit “Ride ‘Em Cowboy” has been given the acoustic Western treatment it merits.

Here’s a great one for fans of the two genres from an artist who’s considered a national treasure in Colorado. I see no reason to argue the point. Eleven tracks.

CD: $15 + $3 s/h from Ernie Martinez, 2606 S Miller Dr., #101, Lakewood, CO 80227 or through cdbaby.com.

© 2011, Rick Huff

Emus and Owlhoots
by Sid Hausman

I’m mighty impressed at what this hardcover Western book for kids manages to convey in 30 pages. Some of the romance of old time radio, the draw of B-Western heroes, the Cowboy Way, a glossary of cowboy terms, some stories behind cowboy songs and…oh yes…there’s a CD with six songs including the Tom Mix Ralston Straight Shooters theme!

Grandly mustachioed Sid Hausman wrote the story, illustrated it and sang ‘n’ played the songs (with Washtub Jerry) including the Hausman original “Radio Riders” and classics “Whoopie Ti-Yi-Yo,” “Panhandle Rag,” “The New Ragtime Cowboy Joe” and “Cowboy Heaven.” The radio cowboy heroes “Handlebar” and” Washtub” bear a striking resemblance to, well, no mystery there. And the lady emu rancher “Sureshot Dot” is inspired by none other than Arizona entertainer Dee Strickland Johnson, aka “Buckshot Dot.” The book is good gentle fun and a nice way to maybe pique the curiosity of potential little cow-fans. But brace for surprises in satisfying that curiosity. Questions like “what’s radio” and “what are cowboys” may show up right along with “what are emus and owlhoots!”

Book: $21.95 through www.azropress.com (amazon.com).

© 2011, Rick Huff

The Good Gone Days
Rick Pickren

The superb balladeer Rick Pickren arrives with a new one filled with his gently different views of the terrain. Often he is nicely poetic in his approach, with the true meanings being cloaked in other imagery, making him all the more interesting as an artist!

Pickren’s musical support this time is twelve strong. The two songs from other writers he chose to cover typify his vision. He does the song its writers won’t (Tyson & Russell’s “Claude Dallas”) and the Western song The Byrds wrote (”Chestnut Mare”). His originals show diverse sources of musical inspiration, including “Shake The Chill” with its progressive pop feel for the land rush ending in a haunting Indian drumming (read between those lines)! Or an ironically cheery Civil War piece saying “Better Days Are Comin’” for the South and we know the outcome. Or a nod to “Black Bart,” the gentlest road agent.

Unusual material and arrangements aren’t new to Pickren, creator of the State Song series (Volume 3 is in the works). If he can herd some of those weird animals to market, he can handle anything! Thirteen tracks.

CD: Price not furnished, but likely $11.99 + $2 s/h through www.bigstrikemusic.com or from Big Strike Productions, 122 Ashland Ave., River Forest, ILL 60305. (708) 366-6040.

© 2011, Rick Huff

Let the Cowboy Sing
Del Shields

An interesting poem set to music opens Del Shields’ new CD. It quite accurately sums up a basic truth…that you’ve heard, seen or felt the words to "The Cowboy Song" through your experiences. I really like that idea, and I really like this CD. For my money it’s Shields’ best since his debut release.

Let The Cowboy Sing benefits from excellent production values and strong original songs from Shields. Eleven support musicians shine brightly here. Pick tracks include “Ridin’ In,” “Danged Hard Winter,” “El Cerrito” and “Grandpa’s Buckaroo” (that one is guaranteed to make parents and grandfolks turn gooey)! There are only ten tracks on this release, two of which are recitations (including the aforementioned poem). But the eight full-length Shields songs on the disc are good enough to make the trip worth taking.

CD: $16.95 ppd in the US through www.delshieldsmusic.com or from Del Shields, 2475 90^th Rd., Humbolt, KS 66748.

© 2011, Rick Huff

Fall Roundup
Richard Martin

Here’s the fourth CD in fairly rapid succession from the team of Richard Martin (performer) and his songwriting brother Glenn. They say now they may wait a bit and sell some of them! I know, it’s a downer, but sometimes ya have to!

The Martins' songs are simply about the various aspects of cowboy life and the people you encounter there. Basically literal descriptions of their titles are such songs as “Critters,” “Biscuits & Gravy,” “Thunder” and so on. While consistently well executed, occasionally it’s debatable whether an arrangement decided upon precisely fits the subject matter (a Spaghetti Western feel replete with trumpet for a song called “Buttermilk Sunrise” for example). But that sort of thing is strictly in the ear of the…beholder…?!

Picks are the saloon-piano-driven “Fast Women & Slow Horses,” the title track “Fall Roundup,” and “Jean LeBeouf” who shoulda stuck to ridin’ bulls, not married ladies. Twelve tracks.

CD: $15 + $1.50 s/h through www.richardmartinmusic.com, and also through cdbaby, amazon, and itunes.

© 2011, Rick Huff

Songs from the Saddle Shop
Genuine Cowgirls

The “Genuine Cowgirls” are just that. There’s Alberta ranchwife/songwriter Lynda Thurston, rancher/saddle maker and former Nebraskan Lori Gordon and rancher and former Texan Robyn Armstrong…all from families who share a US and Canadian ranching tradition.

Mostly the arrangements are gentle Country, and it’s a positive element here. The songs’ lyrics are definitely a personal vision from Lynda Thurston, with the Western picks being “Lori’s Leather & Repair,” “Blue Roan Horse” and “The Song With No Ending” (actually, it does) and the Country pick being “We Learned To Dance.”

I gave this CD extra thought and extra listens to get past what was for me a sticking point. The ladies sing in unison, with no harmony used at all. When done well it’s damnably difficult, to be sure. But some may yearn for a vocal “chord,” pardon the pun. In future productions, how ‘bout trying a guitar or fiddle playing a harmony line in perfect sync with the unison vocals? I’ve not heard it done in Western, and it might prove interesting. Just a thought from a reviewer who’s also a producer. Thirteen tracks total.

CD: $20 ppd in the US & Canada. Contact Lynda Thurston directly through lndthurston@gmail.com or call 403-876-2506.

© 2011, Rick Huff

The Littlest Wrangler
J.R. Saunders
J.R. Sanders’ book adapts and fleshes out the story and earlier history of Jack Thorp’s famous Little Joe The Wrangler…only this time things end happily!

It’s aimed at ages 8-12 and deservedly won a prize in the Arizona Authors Association’s Literary Contest & Book Awards. “The Littlest Wrangler” has downloadable workbook questions available about the story and the genuine cowboyin’ techniques portrayed. Included are art opportunities for the kids, puzzles using facts of the story and a copy of the Code Of The West. Rule #8 says to “talk less and say more.” Sanders took that advice and didn’t waste words. His narrative is vividly direct and his character dialog is crisp. It rings true from beginning to end and should intrigue young readers about this curious cowboy life we celebrate.

I highly recommend throwing a lasso around The Littlest Wrangler and getting into the hands of young folks you’d like to see begin to “get it.” Eighty pages.

Book (softcover): $12.95 from Moonlight Mesa Associates, 18620 Moonlight Mesa Road, Wickenburg, AZ 85390 or online through www.moonlightmesaassociates.com with workbook materials through www.jrsanders.com.

© 2011, Rick Huff

Continuing the Legacy
Roy Rogers Jr. & Dustin Roy Rogers
Dusty & son Dustin’s Branson, Missouri morning show is captured in this CD, which is almost surely intended to be a more of a souvenir or audition piece for booking the show than an “album release.” But it wears both hats well enough!

Delivered with gusto (and with much snappier arrangements than the previous High Riders used) are tons of requisite Bob Nolan, Stan Jones and other B-Western standards. But there is some much-welcomed newer and less often heard material. In that latter category place Rusty Richards’ undercovered “Call Of The Wild” and Curly Musgrave's “Cowboy True.” Rex Allen Jr.’s “Can You Hear Those Pioneers” gets a good treatment as does “Til The Last Shot’s Fired” and the Zac Brown Band hit “As She’s Walking Away,” a father-son duet.

It may have just been the excitement of the moment, but some may feel Dustin occasionally pulls a bit sharp on his solos. However the CD is good fun and, with a whopping twenty-six tracks, it’s definitely worth your time and cash.

CD: $10 plus $5.20 s/h (no personal checks—bank check or money order only) from Golden Stallion, 118 Notch Lane, Suite F, Branson, MO 65737.

2011, Rick Huff

In The Valley Below
Greg Hager

The title song of Greg Hager’s pleasant new release pictures a small rancher, looking down from a rise upon his enterprise with satisfaction. Hager should look at the enterprise of this release with some of that as well.

Hager delivers his twelve original songs in a pleasing and comfortable baritone. His CD is predominantly Western and his arrangements are predominantly Country, but still quite acceptable for those "guardians" against the dread Country incursion! Other picks are “This Time” (about a cowboy being "allowed" to settle down); “Life Is A Ride” (he’s “...learned the back roads are true and tried”); “Nothing But Time” (all he has since time took the rest); and “Not Every Hero” (here’s one time an ex-soldier is thanked).

Greg Hager is a confident artist with a nice product. Give it a spin.

CD:  greghager.com; Greg Hager, PO Box 773, Valley City, ND 58072. (701) 490-1807.

2011, Rick Huff

A Cattlestrophic Compilation
Many Strings and Company

I love a surprise on my CD player! Truly, from the title of this album, I didn’t know what to expect…but whatever it was, it sure wasn’t what I got!

Many Strings and Company are actually Tony & Carol Messerly. The “Company” here is Ben Winship. They are vintage-style musicians who perform all-original material with tight harmony. Stylistically they would fit right in with guys like Sourdough Slim. And they are that good at it! This is an amazingly refreshing release, great fun and very well done with banjo, harmonica, ‘juice’ harp, mandolin and bass.

We’ll say the picks are “Real Live Buckaroo,” “Back Side Of Cattle,” “Paydirt” (Carol’s tribute to her guy Tony), “Lonesome Cattle Call” and “Goin’ South” but really that’s a crapshoot. All twelve tracks are winners. And there’s a wacky little hidden thirteenth. Will somebody please explain to me what that trend is all about? Get this CD. You won’t regret it.

CD: $15 ppd from Many Strings and Company, 570 Logan Street, Green River, WY 82935. (307) 870-6078. Email: manystrings05@hotmail.com and website: www.manystrings.net

2011, Rick Huff

Little Bird
Paula Rhae McDonald

Here’s a Santa Fe art gallery owner and Western Swing/Honky Tonk artist who snagged four separate nominations in the New Mexico Music Awards for her efforts!

Paula Rhae McDonald has a powerful belt on her original song “Crazy As A June Bug” or Michael Martin’s “Last Call At The Old Ponderosa” and classic swingers like “My Window Faces The South” and then manifests a suitable sweet sensitivity on heartfelt pieces like “I Wonder” or “A Sunday Tune.” She gives a nice slow rock spin to Buddy Holly’s “True Love Ways” and a sparkling sass to “Goody Goody.” She calls her album “Country/Jazz,” and that description works too.

Tonally the CD sounds as if it could have been recorded in a dancehall with Paula on the bandstand. It’s an appropriate effect. And it’s danceable fun, so what’s not to like? Eleven tracks.

CD: $20 ppd from Paula Rhae McDonald, Kiva Fine Art, El Centro de Santa Fe, 102 East Water Street, Santa Fe, NM 87501.

2011, Rick Huff

Saddle Up
Prairie Moon

In a way I’m glad I haven’t had occasion to review a Prairie Moon CD until now. By the effect I’d sort of felt they were a band still locking in, as it were. But with this one, I can happily say they’ve come into their own. This CD is their strongest to date.

From the group’s endearing, gutty harmony to the material and the sound mix, on this release things have jelled. Prairie Moon is made up of brothers Michael, Ron and Tim Callaway with Dave Holcomb and Will Sullivan. They have more songwriters aboard than many groups (all five!), and it provides them a nice variety of approaches to their subjects. Picks among the originals include “Grandfather’s Voice,” “The Caprock,” “Joe Carson Billy Bob Brown” and nice cover versions of songs include “Come Back To Old Santa Fe,” “Seven Spanish Angels” and the pop song “Amie.”

Prairie Moon offers something a bit different in their effect…something quite likeable. You might like to “Saddle Up” with this one. Seventeen tracks total.

CD: Visit www.prairiemoon.net or contact Michael Callaway, 7405 Maricopa Cove, Austin, TX 78749.

2011, Rick Huff

Wild Rose
Katy Creek

The unusual but effective vocal blend of the Ruybals—Nancy’s tight “Billie Burke” vibrato and Wes’ cowpoke-direct at-ya style—are on display again in this new release from Katy Creek. Some day I’ve simply got to ask them how they first figured out it would work!

Picks this time include their original songs “Ridin’ Back To Texas” (swing), “Headstone By The Trail” (a co-write with Les Buffham), a poem called “The Dream,” “Just An Old Cowboy,” the lyrically eerie “Where The Wind Blows A Different Song” and a semi-novelty I suspect may actually be called “Saddle Up” rather than the title listed “Thunder Over The Prairie.” There are two songs by others covered here (John Lowell’s “Sarah Hogan” and Jon Cook’s “Wild Colts & Wild Hearts”).

Katy Creek has interesting stories to tell in their releases. Their CDs work on multiple levels. Give it a try. Thirteen tracks.

CD: $15 + $3 s/h from Nancy Ruybal, PO Box 187, Stanfield, AZ 85172

2011, Rick Huff

A Harder Place to Leave
Broken Chair Band

This little family band from the Broken Chair Ranch has issued their second CD, and it is a step up for them from their debut. Diamond Jim Hewitt joins them on fiddle and mandolin, which adds nicely.

The group consists of rancher singer Todd Carter, wife Melinda and little daughter Dani Sue. The note on the liner card tells of ancestors in the 1880s who drove their cattle into “a unique canyon in eastern Arizona named Blue River…a hard place to get to, and A Harder Place To Leave.”

It’s hard for me to name picks, since the card doesn’t give the titles! It’s an honest, homespun rustic album. Tracks one and two strike me as having the same (or a quite similar) melody, but I like one that is probably called “She Broke My Carhartt” and others.

I also like Todd’s poetry. He both writes and performs them well. There’s one here about cell phones and other "electronica"in cowboy country that is too true! The CD isn’t slick, just “Americowboyfolkgrass” as they call it. And that’ll be good enough for me.

CD: $13.97 ppd from Broken Chair Band, 735 S Tornado Trail, Queen Valley, AZ 85118-7425 or cdbaby ($9.99 MP3 download).

2011, Rick Huff

Along the Christmas Trail
Cisco Jim

Cisco Jim writes he’s been doing a holiday show songs for the past twenty years and figured he should record some of ‘em so he did.

The effect hearkens back to a bygone time of Edison cylinders and real cowboys in the field…steppin’ down off their horses, bellerin’ a song into the bell, then gettin’ back on and gettin’ gone. He doesn’t really “beller,” but Cisco Jim is a rustic performer and his songs possess a certain innocence in this polished age. The vintage effect is heightened by Cisco’s careful annunciation and throaty delivery on oldies like Tex Williams’ “The Winter Song,” Larry Chittenden’s “Cowboy Christmas Ball,” Tex Ritter’s “Christmas Carols By The Old Corral” and eleven others including three originals.

For those who prefer it “how it was,” here it is.

$15 + $3 s/h through cisco@cruzio.com or through www.ciscojimsingingcowboy.com (831) 726-1046 or (408) 607-0437.

2011, Rick Huff

The BAR-D Roundup: Volume Six
CowboyPoetry.com

One of the endearing aspects of these annual collections without peer (always so intelligently produced by Andy Nelson with Margo Metegrano) is the different character that flows from each. I equate them to one of those Ken Burns specials, like his Civil War, Jazz, or Baseball. The voices and characters come in, say their piece, and each is a part of the bigger story. That feeling has never been more present than it is in Volume Six.

The flow from Randy Rieman’s brief introductory poem from Bruce Kiskaddon “Looking Back” through the late J.B. Allen’s “The Medicine Keepers," Jerry Brooks’ take on “The Old Prospector” of Badger Clark and into Joel Nelson’s atmospheric work “The Song Of The Packer,” and Linda Kirkpatrick’s “Cattle” is quite the trip taken in one pass. Then the late Buck Ramsey sings a capella “Windy Bill” before the late Larry McWhorter (too many of our treasures are “late”) posthumously joins Waddie Mitchell. And that’s just the first 25% of this collection! Jay Snider, Red Steagall, DW Groethe, the Mortons, Jesse Smith, Rod Miller, Pat Richardson and many more are here with some of their best.

The BAR-D Roundup series marks and presents the best of the best. The CDs rank beyond any reviewer’s wooing words. They are fabulous, and this one…once again…needless to say…is a must-have!

CD: $20 ppd through www.cowboypoetry.com or from PO Box 330444, San Francisco, CA 94133.

© 2011, Rick Huff

Hal Cannon
Hal Cannon

There is probably no name more fitting for this collection than that of its creator. He is an original, and his range of the original and the classically inspired in this album are very much in keeping with who and what this fellow is.

Cannon doesn’t tend to like the appellation “creator” of Elko’s National Cowboy Poetry Gathering and the Western Folklife Center, but it’s certainly his name that most folks tend to place in that position. He is an NPR and PBS contributor and a catalyst for many, many educational and revealing folk culture elements to have been explored. Musically in this CD he brings us visions from past eras set to his music, like his contemporary classic “Hittin’ The Trail Tonight” (based on a Bruce Kiskaddon poem) or “Soldier’s Heart” (using a Civil War term for Post Traumatic Stress Disorder). Also present are newer works that are not specifically derivative, such as “That’s How it is on the Range” and “Alone Town” (sparked when an old man told Hal he felt more at home in the town graveyard that walking down Main Street).

Hal Cannon’s Hal Cannon is a trip with an interesting mind, fully annotated and peopled with nine other fine musicians from Red Rock Rondo. The man may wear one, but the CD is far from old hat! Twelve tracks total.

CD: $16 ppd through www.okehdokee.com

© 2011, Rick Huff

Things a Cowboy Sees and other poems
Rod Miller

In his preface that was adapted to front this collection, Rod Miller brings up the excellent irony that writers and reciters are both commonly called “cowboy poets.” But then he’s good at making you face stuff…doggone him.

In that same preface Miller states that the works offered in this book are some of his best “attempts” so far. To anyone with a soul, that means these are some of the best cowboy poems being done anywhere. He’s not afraid to take on certain hallowed parts of the cowboy culture, either. He puts it to that oddball thing called “Queening,” and to himself in verses like “Landing Gear” and “Why I’m Not A Roper.” But his sheer strength of imagery comes across in works like “Tabula Rasa,” with the voice of a dead and buried pioneer speaking from one of the West’s unmarked, sunken-in graves. In “Eternal Flame,” visit the sad, still resting place of the star bronc with fiery sprigs of Indian Paintbrush rising through the eye holes. In “Forecast,” done in free verse, Miller delivers a gut punch of a master in the final two lines.

Through Things A Cowboy Sees and other poems Rod Miller does let us see, and feel. Believe me, we need the exercise. Ninety-six pages.

Book: $9.95 US and $12.95 through www.PortYonderPress.com and all booksellers.

© 2011, Rick Huff

Ranch Cowboy Music
Daron Little

When I heard Daron Little in his first release, I must admit he blew me away with the variety of approaches taken while essentially just using his voice and acoustic guitar. More people are on board this time, and that may have placed this CD a bit more in one particular “groove” than the first. The good news is it ain’t a bad groove!

Pick tracks here for me are Little’s co-writes “Feelin’ Free” (with Wes Spinks) and “Of Horses and Men” (with Jay Snider). Behind those I also warmed to “Wyoming,” “Her Caballero” and “Cattle Call (Same Ol’ Game), which isn’t the Eddie Arnold song, of course.

Little’s voice seems to be leaning a little harder on the Bob Dylan intonation this time around than I noticed in the first volume.

If Daron Little makes his music and uses his best instincts without a lot of studio drones’ “consultation,” a fine, original voice in Western music will continue to ring true. Fourteen tracks total.

CD: $15 + $3 s/h from Daron Little, PO Box 314, Encampment, WY 82325, through www.RanchCowboyMusic.com, cdbaby or iTunes.

© 2011, Rick Huff

Old Stories
Jo Lynne Kirkwood

The contents of Jo Lynne Kirkwood’s cowboy poetry book are indeed stories, portraits and, with any luck, lessons. For easy dosage they come divided into sections entitled “The Voices Of Women,” “A Rancher’s Life,” “Tales From The Coffee Shop” and “Other Voices, Other Seasons.”

The first poem of the first section is a clever analogy using bread making to describe the raising of boys. The second (“Forget Me Not”) is so strong it could be a full movie. Elsewhere a beautiful, moving poem called “Gina” details the humiliation of Indian girls at the hands of school missionaries. Occasionally Kirkwood effectively chooses free verse to convey her thoughts…mostly in Section Four.

For me one of the toughest assignments is reviewing larger works in limited space. You want to say so much, but only get to say so much. Just know a copy of this book that comes to your place will be dog-eared from repeated readings. Forty-seven works in ninety-nine pages.

Book (softbound): $15 + $2 s/h from Jo Lynne Kirkwood, PO Box 570207, Sigurd, UT 84657.
© 2011, Rick Huff

Morning After Rain
Paul Kern
Here’s as honest an interpreter of original works as you’re apt to find! Utah cowboy poet Paul Kern has once again managed to project that subtle energy in his low-key approach.

I don’t recall another time a poetry CD’s title track was a mere 52 seconds long, but Kern gets the job done with it. He writes with a clear and careful economy of words to evoke his images, and he does it in perfect meter.

All the tracks are worth a close listen, but for those who require them some picks include that title track “Morning After Rain,” “If He Nickers At Yer Comin’,” “I’ll Just Have To Pay Myself,” “The Last Horse Trade,” “Nary A Track,” “A Trajectory Off Course” and “So Long, Lee.” Particularly effective is the musical support on the album from Clive Romney (guitar) and Tom Hewitson (also on guitar, harmonica and mandolin).

Fourteen tracks total.

CD: Available through www.paulkern.com with his previous fine release, Rimrock.

© 2011, Rick Huff

Peace, Love, and Horses
Jared Rogerson

That’s what Wyoming's Jared Rogerson says the part-hippie-part-cowgirl heroine of his CD’s title song is into…”Peace, Love and Horses.” What Jared is into is unabashed Western in Hot Country styling.

Rogerson’s album, produced by Brenn Hill and Larry Beaird, demonstrates he has the sound and the look to carry the cowboy message to a young Country dance crowd like Brenn before him. All songs here are originals with one co-write (“Honky Tonk Halos,” with Brenn Hill and Nate Curry). It’s very well done throughout…not what the hardcore Western fan may seek out, but he’s not seeking to be that. Take his cowboy "Richard" in “Winter Baja Sun,” for instance. He’s workin’ at the O Bar Y, but waitin’ to head where they call him "Ricardo" and hang a buffalo in his bungalow to remind him who he is.

For something totally different, check out Rogerson’s “End Of Days” where the cowboy essentially says to the girl he’s just met since it’s Armageddon we don’t have much time and I know what we can do back in those trees! That, folks, is a pick-up line!! His version of fiddling while Rome burns, maybe…

Older folks may listen and say “oh-boy!” Younger folks, notably females, will look and listen and say “oh-boy” and mean it! Jared Rogerson rocks, in both senses of the word.

CD: $18 + $2 s/h through www.jaredrogerson.com or from Jared Rogerson, PO Box 2071, Pinedale, WY 82941.
© 2011, Rick Huff

Forgotten
Steve Porter

As he says in his liner notes, reciter Steve Porter was encouraged by his wife to attend and compete in Montrose, Colorado’s National Cowboy Poetry Rodeo in September, 2010. Good for you, Kathy!

Porter is an excellent and natural interpreter. He puts just the right flair on it…not so much drama you feel he needs to be restrained. I instantly took to his delivery. I liked hearing it, and would listen again. In this CD (his debut, with music by Matt Morgan) there are two S. Omar Barker poems (“Jack Potter’s Courtin’” and “Purt Near”) four Bruce Kiskaddon poems (“An Old Western Town,” “The Creak of Leather,” “The Broncho Twister’s Prayer” and the title track “Forgotten”) a couple of Aussie poet William Henry Ogilvie's (“Hoofs of the Horses” and the one that tears me to shreds, “The Pearl Of Them All”). There are five more poems including one of his own, “My Flea Bitten Gray.”

Steve Porter is a fine example of what I feel is needed in cowboy poetry… folks whose delivery transports you. That’s the only way to really do the material justice. Thirteen tracks.

CD: $15 postpaid from Steve Porter, 211 Dove Lane, Fountain Inn, SC 29644; (864) 876-2742; cwbyporter@aol.com.
© 2011, Rick Huff

Symposium 2011
Cowboy Poets of Utah

Here in pretty rapid succession across my CD player comes another collection from some mighty active folks! Cowboy music and cowboy poetry have an intense friend in Paul Kern, the organizer of this Salem, Utah event’s “soundtrack.”

Opening things up in a frisky way is “Lucy LaRue” sung by Mary Kaye. Poets include some I’ve met and, more excitingly, a large crop I haven’t! If they continue these releases may become the “other” important collections beyond the annual BAR-D Roundup releases. Here you have music mixed in. The performances and writing are mostly top-notch from poets like Sam DeLeeuw, Michael Robinson, Paul Bliss, Casey Woods, Paul Kern, Marleen Busma and Stan Tixier (to name a few) and musicians like Tony & Carol Messerly, Brian Arnold, Ken Stevens & Latigo, David Anderson, Clive Romney and others.

Symposium twentyeleven is a fine release…a good one to show to those who might question your interest in the stuff! Just pop it on your deck, and say “take that!” Twenty-three tracks total.

CD: $5 (believe it or not, and until June 30th $2.50!) plus postage (varies by location) through the link http://Kunaki.com/MSales.asp?PublisherId=113415

© 2011, Rick Huff

Calf Pullin' Made Easy
Terry Nash

“A true cowboy poet!” What will they think up next? Who knows, but that’s what you get in Terry Nash’s new release. What’s more you get quite a good interpreter of the stuff!

Nash actually lives on a ranch in Colorado…horses, beef and hay intact. He introduces his verse to give you the true context of each. His poems really are stories (with one actual story as well) and they often prove that truth is stranger than stretching the truth. Most are done with musical backup from Ken Dravis. “The Countess & Clementine” details a country kind of art appreciation; “Hi and Stella” is a real-life Mack Sennett comedy starring his grandparents; “A Conversation With Heifers” shows everybody starts somewhere; “Comin’ Off The Mountain” shows one of the grins of it…”It’s Business” and “Get It On Paper” shows some of the heart-tugs and tears of it. And then there’s the title piece (wanna bet pullin’s “made easy”). It’s a seven-plus minute story rather than a poem. You can it pretty much figure why it had to be!

Terry Nash’s CD is a good mix, equal parts thought provokers and fun. Give ‘er a pull! Thirteen tracks plus intros.

CD: $16 ppd from Terry Nash, 1278 N Road, Loma, CO 81524 or visit www.terrynashcowboypoet.com

© 2011, Rick Huff

West of Somewhere
Jim Wilson

It’s official, oh you fans of Jim Wilson! His long-awaited and critically acclaimed (in fact award winning) first CD, Border Bravo, is followed up with lightning speed (ok, seven years but some storms linger on) by, well, his follow-up CD! West Of Somewhere is every bit as good!

“Sheriff Jim” has a solid acoustic crew with him in Allan Chapman and Rodeo Kate Howell (from The Texas Trailhands on bass and fiddle respectively), Susan Clark (from The Buckarettes on accordion and harmony vocals) and Jim Jones (producer and “pesterer” to get the thing done on guitars, mandolin, dobro, harmonica, piano, bass and vocals). This album may hold the record of any CD that isn’t an Ian Tyson recording for offering Tyson songs (five)! The title track is Jim’s, though, and likely another award will be wending its way to him for it.

Other picks include Bob Campbell’s “Goin’ Dancin’,” Allen Wayne Damron’s goofy “Streets Of Lajitas” and Pat & Victoria Garvey’s “Lovin’ Of The Game.” Lots to like. Fourteen tracks. And he swears the next CD’s coming sooner…but it’s not Western…exactly…

CD: $17 ppd through www.sheriffjimwilson.com or by check from Buscadero Productions, PO Box 1134, Alpine, TX 79834.

© 2011, Rick Huff

Hard Times
Ben Crane

Ben Crane is an amazing talent. He’s a singer, songwriter, multi-instrumentalist, humorist and cartoonist. Oh, yes…and apparently he’s a computer engineering whiz. You’d swear a pack of top session musicians were in on this project. They were! Him! Multi-tracking himself with GarageBand, he packed the house on his iMac across a couple of cold months in Alberta.

Crane’s Hard Times CD starts off with “Rich Man,” a "Mamas Don’t Let Your Babies Grow Up To Be Cowboys" song in feel. The theme here is viewing the upside of hard times. Whether or not the songs specifically tow the cowboy line, each is very Western in attitude. His originals are nice ones, but I have to say he’s put together a loving treatment of the classic “(Goodbye) Old Paint” that may rank as the best I’ve ever heard. It made me listen to the lyrics in a fresh way.

There’s also “Setting Of The Sun,” a terrific original Irish-styled pennywhistle and flute instrumental played by his daughters. On its own that one needs to be picked up for the movies!

Hard Times is a positive ride, and it may actually make someone else’s hard times just a bit easier to live with. Ten tracks total.

CD: $20 from Jinglebob Music, RR 4, Eckville, Alberta, CA T0M 0X0. Write ben@bencrane.com to find out about iTunes downloads.

© 2011, Rick Huff

Live in High River
"Ol' Ugly," Doris Daley, and Jim Peace

A popular Canadian threesome got together at Gitter’s Pub on a Sunday afternoon in Alberta cowboy country and had a good time helpin’ others to do the same. So we have this affable threesome of sets to show for it.

“Ol’ Ugly” is a comic storyteller I’d heard about and seen references to for quite some time. Seeing him he could be a classic B-Western sidekick. He has a rapid and fluid delivery of his goofy images piled on goofy images that can leave you teetering and, of course, laughing. Otherwise known as John Glawson, he bills the act as “barnyard clean comedy but some fertilizer can hit the stage.” It’s nothin’ that would make the prim blush too pink, though. (35 minutes)

The second set is done by the award-winning cowboy ooet Doris Daley. Here’s your chance to see how she can manage to as easily entertain the ladies of the league as she does the waddies of the weeds. (24 minutes)

Third on the DVD is singer songwriter Jim Peace who says. “A song without a minor chord is a song without a soul.” Whether you think so or not, you’ll agree he uses his minor chords to major effect. He does a nice set of originals and “Seven Spanish Angels” too. (29 minutes)

DVD: $20 + $3 s/h through www.country-comedian.com or from John Glawson, PO Box 105, Nanton, Alberta, CA T0L 1R0.

© 2011, Rick Huff

My Horse Knows the Way Home
Horse Crazy Cowgirl Band

If anyone who’s not familiar with The Horse Crazy Cowgirl Band in live performance has wondered what all the whoop-de-do is about, let them hear the newest recorded effort from the Washington state trio. In this CD it has all come together.

Cofounder Lauralee Northcott calls this one their best CD yet. I agree. When I’ve seen them in front of an audience, I’ve been wowed at the sound and performance dynamics. Something has bugged me a bit about their past recorded effect, but it isn’t in this one. From the vocal blend and the seemingly carefree joy of presentation to the interesting, fresh material chosen…it all works this time and works well.

Along with Ms. Northcott, the singing and multi-instrumentalist chores are handled by Jennifer Epps and Emele “EC” Clothier. They sing and play their way through a varied offering of some infrequently covered classics and originals. Of special note are Tim Hus’ “Saddle Bronc Ride,” Fleming Allen’s “Singing on the Trail,” Lauralee Northcott’s “Movin’ Mud” and “Home Place,” R.W. Hampton’s “When It Rains,” Allen Christie’s “The Old Bronc Saddle” and Fred Koller & Si Kahn’s “New Day.”

I still watch for the day the ladies bring true “lead” guitar into the instrumental breaks, but I’ll be perfectly happy with this until then! Thirteen tracks total.

CD: $13.97 for the album or $9.99 MP3 download through www.HorseCrazyCowgirlBand.com Buy direct from The Horse Crazy Cowgirl Band, PO Box 276, Winthrop, WA 98862.

© 2011, Rick Huff

All Roads Lead West
Flying J Wranglers

In this first release since the passing of the band’s longtime member Lynn Campbell, New Mexico’s premiere chuckwagon show band proves the spirit and grand harmony continues onward.

James & Cindy Hobbs head up The Flying J Wranglers, the group that now also features the great talents of Randy Jones, Roy Black, Corinna Ripple and Greg Meeks. On this new release their rich blend is better than ever as they offer terrific takes of “Out On The New Frontier,” “Wyoming On My Mind” “Cross The Brazos At Waco” and “Rawhide”; showpieces like “Cannonball Rag”; one of my all-time personal favorites “Cannonball Yodel”; and classics such as “Last Roundup,” “Blue Shadows On The Trail” and “Pinto Pal.” The mix is intelligent and the entertainment factor is high.

I’d call this CD one of those that you can use to make your point…IF your point is that Western Music is worth a listen from folks who might not believe that could be a fact! Fourteen tracks total.

CD: $15 ppd through www.backfortybunkhouse.com

© 2011, Rick Huff

The Official Sidekick Handbook
Too Slim and Texas Bix Bender

Remember those endearing traits of the classic B-Western second bananas? Now, thanks to this step-by-step guide, these traits are examined in the cold light of reason and shown up for what they really are: endearing traits of the classic B-Western second bananas! Only now you can have people realize you’re “bananas” too!

Enter (laughing) The Official Sidekick Handbook, the newest bid to be institutionalized by Fred “Too Slim” LaBour of Riders In The Sky and humorist Texas Bix Bender. Now there’s a support source for you if being Number One hits you like Number Two. Find grey matter-building exercises like matching up the heroes and sidekicks in new combos (Captain Kirk & Tonto, Mick Jagger & Bullwinkle, Batman & Boo Boo), learn the finer points of the winning pratfall and the correct action to take when facing any sidekick situation. Of course you should memorize the Sidekick Bill Of Rights. There may be a test.

Seriously (are you kidding me?), the volume also salutes some real sidekicks. And although it’s like an explosion in a comedy club (the jokes are flying), if you read between the gag lines the authors have let some honest t’gawd philosophy slip in! But don’t tell those bullshippers or they might get swelled herds.

The Official Sidekick Handbook is a great day-brightener and, for Too Slim in particular, surely it was a LaBour of love! 144 pages.

Book (softbound): $12.99 ppd through www.gibbs-smith.com (click books, western, humor) and at the Riders’ shows!

© 2011, Rick Huff

All I've Ever Known
Pat Meade

Balladeer Pat Meade’s fans will likely embrace his fifth album. It’s an agreeable little collection that pretty much goes about illustrating its title song’s name!

Two Les Buffham collaborations are here (“Spin That Pony,” co-written with Dave Stamey and “Simple Little Questions,” created with Jean Prescott) and five from songwriter Terry Smith…one of which (“Ten Seconds In The Saddle”) I’d call a CD pick track.

Some of the arrangements here employ harmony and solos from singer Ann Brock, and each time she is used the effect is enhanced. In one of those examples the creation of “Mammas Don’t Let Your Babies Grow Up To Be Cowboys” seems to be honored! Singer/songwriter Ed Bruce was stuck in traffic and experiencing writer’s block when he grumbled the phrase aloud “Mammas don’t let your babies grow up to be guitar pickers!” Inspiration for the title and first verse hit. Then writer’s block struck again! Ed’s wife Patsy contributed verse two. writing about Ed! That’s the way it’s sung on Meade’s CD. Fourteen songs total.

CD: $15 plus $3 s/h from Pat Meade, 16487 Stone Street, Milo, Iowa 50166.
© 2011, Rick Huff

Unsung Heroes (Guitar Songs of the American West)
Charles David Smart
An instrumental Western collection called Unsung Heroes… Right there you’ve got my vote!

In the credits the musicians are listed as “Head Wrangler” David Smart (guitars & mandolin), “Ramrod” Jimmy Mathis (steel guitar) and “Wrangler” Michael Smart (bass). For the occasion even the engineer bears the handle “Ears” Warren Jurgens, the apprentice engineer “Tenderfoot” Mark Miller!

For whatever reason brief versions of “Laredo,” and “Cowboys Lament” and “Streets of Laredo” have been included and so-named…the same melody with different tempos. Maybe this was to provide scene breaks of a sort. All with the exception of an atmospheric David Smart original called “The Old Mission” are Western standards such as “Git Along Little Dogies,” “Tumblin’ Tumbleweeds” (cited as being by Bob ‘Noland’),” a nice arrangement of “(Ghost) Riders In The Sky” and so on. The performances have the feel of a congenial jam session.

Instrumental collections of this kind are rare. There just aren’t that many instrumentalists who release albums on their own. But Charles David Smart has, and you may want to wave it in home. Thirteen tracks total.

CD: Purchase price not furnished. Contact Charles David Smart, 600 N. Stevenson Street, Olathe, KS 66061 or call (913) 780 6190.

© 2011, Rick Huff

Western Tales
Trails & Rails
Despite all the rhyming going on between the group and the CD’s name, it’s not cowboy poetry! It’s California’s self-described acoustic “duo, trio and quatro” (depending on the budget for the gig) Trails & Rails in their newest incarnation.

Added to core band members Walt Richards & Paula Strong are Ken Wilcox (vocals, guitar & autoharp) and Pete Varhola (upright bass). Their friends and long time performers Ken Graydon and Phee Sherline guest on some tracks, with Phee also providing the CD’s cover art.

Some pick tracks include former T & R member Bruce Huntington’s “Coyote Ridge“ (with Wilcox on lead vocal)' Dave Stamey’s “Mountains of the Heart”; Les Buffham & Walt Richards’ “Guess I’ll Have To Stay” and “Outbound Train”; and Ian Tyson’s “Old House” (the first time I’ve ever heard it covered).

There’s a certain primitive authenticity in the Trails & Rails effect that their fans have come to expect, and here they’ll find it’s still intact. Twenty tracks total.

CD: www.trailsandrails.com
© 2011, Rick Huff

Tonekei
Holly Davis
I bought this book at the Gathering Of Nations Powwow since it is about the astonishing life of my friend and fellow GON stadium announcer Sammy “Tone-kei” White. Upon reading it I discovered it includes some of the most important words ever committed to paper, such as Seneca Chief Red Jacket’s thoughts on Pages 96-98.

A less balanced or enlightened human than Tone-kei (“ton-kee-eye”) might have withered before the personal hardships he has faced. But Tone-kei’s spirit soars on. The book’s subheading reads “A Storehouse of Memories, Historic Speeches, Indian Folk Tales and Empowerments from a Celebrated Kiowa Elder.” It’s more than that. There are moments in this book that made every cell of my being yell “YES!!”

Iffy proofreading at the boutique publishing level causes typos and misprints to slip through. Hopefully they won’t diminish the impact of the ideas offered. Many of the book’s sections are taken from Tone-kei’s personal journal and his 1970s era columns from the Oklahoma Journal. They generally ended with “I have spoken,” honoring a custom practiced by great Indian leaders of the past.

This is part of the Western story. Important words from great thinkers should be taken to heart, even if the date is late. ”Tone-kei” is inspiring, heartbreaking and uplifting all at once. If your heart and spirit are right, you need to experience it all. It will make you wish others had. “I have spoken!”

Book (softbound): $19.95 through www.goodmedicineranch.com, by calling 702-217-5632 or through www.gatheringofnations.com

© 2011, Rick Huff

Gone West
L.K. Potts

The new CD from “award winning singer-songwriter” Larry Potts shows he truly does know his way around singing and songwriting. He also knows his way around promoting!

I’ve never encountered a commercial release with liner notes that more completely detail the ordering and booking info and qualifications of the artist (the above mentioned award-winning phrase), the BMI Catalog number to find his songs for licensing and more. And why the heck shouldn’t it? Enjoyment for the listener aside, this collection is obviously promoting his songs to other artists. With all this info posted, there’s no excuse for using his songs without permission. I’d bet people are going to want to cover some of these songs. “Cowboy Kind,” “Home To Oregon,” a neat Lewis & Clark piece called “Captains Of The Dream,” “High Sierra,” “The Ballad Of Black Bart” and others are ripe for the singing!

From the pure enjoyment angle Potts is a comfortable baritone balladeer who definitely has plenty to offer. Try it out. Twelve tracks total.

CD: $15 + $2.99 s/h ($17.99 through PayPal) or send check to L.K. Potts, Full Range Music, 101 Bassett Street, Petaluma, CA 94952…and I didn’t have to search for it…the info’s on the jacket!
© 2011, Rick Huff

A Little Place Of Our Own
Michael and Dawn Moon

Flag another nice CD into the winners’ circle from Don Richmond’s Howlin’ Dog Studio in Alamosa, Colorado. Michael and Dawn Moon’s congenial folk-style harmony is augmented nicely by one-man-band Richmond. On the album he plays acoustic bass, mandolin, fiddle, dobro, “high strung” guitar, dulcimer, pennywhistle, Weisenborn guitar, snare drum and handles a background vocal chore! Young Aidan Moon does harmony on one of the album’s pick tracks “Buckaroo Pooh,” a sweet father/son bonding-type song.

Other picks include “Twistin’ Was Done,” the title track “A Little Place Of Our Own,” “Leftover Storm” and “Hopin’ The Wind Dies Down.” There are a couple of religious tracks included as well.

The presentation is honest and appropriately homespun as whole cloth. Fourteen tracks total. It’s a nicely done project. With any luck the Moons could be stars of the genre!

CD: $15 + 1.50 s/h from Michael & Dawn Moon, 22500 S Peyton Hwy., Colorado Springs, CO 80928. Also available through cdbaby.com with downloads for $10.99.

© 2011, Rick Huff

Coming to a Honky Tonk Near You
Lonnie Spiker

Here’s another one of those 100% danceable, traditional Country CDs from the Justin Trevino music machine at Heart Of Texas Music. Lonnie Spiker swings it! Some people swear nobody puts this stuff out anymore. Gotta feel sorry for ‘em…

Trevino produced and did vocal backup with Amber Digby, Jake Hooker on upright bass, Jim Loessberg and Dicky Overby handle steel duties with Tim Alexander (keyboard), Reggie Butler (fiddle) and Charlie Walton (lead guitar). That roster by itself is the review for the fan!

Most are Spiker originals, but when he doesn’t write them himself he knows where to find good ones. Chuck Cusimano’s “Another Day In the Life of a Fool” is here as are the Hunter, Whitehead & Miller shuffle “What’s He Got That I Ain’t Got (But You)" and Gary McCray’s “Eyes As Big As Dallas.”

If Lonnie Spiker truly is “coming to a honky tonk near you,” I’d say “go!” Thirteen tracks total.

CD: $15 ppd through www.backfortybunkhouse.com

© 2011, Rick Huff

A Cowboy and his Sweetheart
Roz Brown

Many moons ago Roz Brown, the autoharp cowboy, made music at the WMA Festival in Tucson. For 30 years he’s been seen at Denver’s legendary Buckhorn Exchange (with and without Bill Barwick). This new CD shows just how far he has adventurously come!

This is one of those examples of songs that are not specifically “Cowboy” still containing some of those (romantic) feelings. Roz and son/producer Paul Brown make full use of technology…synthesizers, electrified guitar and programmed drums included with acoustic elements. It’s an interesting collection for the right-minded listener, with three songs written or co-written by the undervalued Wayland Holyfield (“Some Broken Hearts Never Mend,” “You’re My Best Friend” and “Till The Rivers All Run Dry”). Bob McDill’s “Someone Like You,” “Come Early Morning” and “Love Me Tonight” are here and not his Western “Everything That Glitters” or “Coyotes.” Four Don Williams songs made the cut, too. Fifteen tracks total.

Gotta say I had fun with this one, but hey…who am I?? Just one humble opinion. You can add yours.

CD: $15 ppd from Roz Brown, 1549 S. Holland Ct., Lakewood, CO 80232 or through www.rozbrown.com.

© 2011, Rick Huff

A Western Legacy
by Cecil Cravens

In the group of CDs received this time we found a surprising number of old friends. By that I mean longtime performers we haven’t heard from in a spell. Either way you look at it, “old friends” spell good memories.

Cecil Cravens will be remembered by early attendees at Western festivals for the deep, resonant harmony produced as part of a group called the OK Chorale. Folks should be pleased to learn intricate harmony is obviously still front and center on his plate.

Joining Cravens (vocals, guitar, bass, synthesizer, accordion & lap steel) on various classics and originals are Joseph Montgomery (keyboards, bass, guitar), Charley Baker (guitar, dobro, bass, keyboard), Randy Smith (doghouse bass), Donnie Carpenter & Hal Poe (violin), Jim Cravens (guitar), Christy Little (harmony) and Dennis Baumgardner (celtic harp)! Check out his original harmony arrangement on “Blue Prairie,” “Hold That Critter Down” or originals like “Pushin’ Horns To Kansas” or the daffy “Has Anybody Seen My Cow.” For “could she kootchy kootchy coo” try “if she could her cud she’d chew!!”

It’s a nice ride down Memory Trail for many of us. Others, mount up!

CD: (ordering info not furnished). Contact Cecil Cravens, 9 Natchez Pl., Jackson, TN 38395 or google Cecil Cravens for YouTube selections

© 2011, Rick Huff

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