On the Trail in Bloomington, MN

While few cowboys continue to make their weekly wages by riding and roping longhorns, singing songs about the American West continues to be a semi-respectable way to make a living.
On the Trail
captures a number of
Shanachie
artists singing the praises of life beneath western skies.
Don Edwards
covers both
Marty Robbins
' ode to freedom,
"Saddle Tramp,"
and
Gene Autry
's lovely
"Dear Old Western Skies."
His resonant voice and confident delivery knock the dust off of these songs and render them fresh.
Cowboy Nation
, who may remind some of an acoustic
Cowboy Junkies
, offers what must be the most sonically relaxed version of
"Shenandoah"
ever conjured up. For seven minutes the steady bass and dense, rhythmic vocals put the listener into a trance.
Rich O'Brien
is present on two instrumentals, including a superb version of
"Flop Eared Mule"
with
Norman Blake
.
Sons of the San Joaquin
's
"Sing One for the Cowboy"
celebrates the West while recognizing the sins committed against Native Americans and the buffalo. While this politically correct approach may offend a few
John Ford
John Wayne
fans, it is nonetheless refreshing.
"Curtain Call"
by
Tom Morrell and the Time Warp Top Hands
is a lively piece of Western swing, with the nice addition of horns. From the above mentioned samples one would venture to guess that
is a satisfying and eclectic collection. For lovers of good western music, or for anyone looking for a primer on today's singing cowboy,
is your ticket to open skies. ~ Ronnie D. Lankford, Jr.