Bonanza: Ponderosa Party Time - TV's Original Cast (1959 - 1973 Television Series) [Cast Recording]

John Mitchum, Michael Landon, Pernell Roberts, Dan Blocker, Lorne Greene | Format: Audio CD

Product Details

• Audio CD (June 28, 1994)
• Number of Discs: 1
• Format: Cast Recording
• Label: Bear Family
• ASIN: B000001B0M
• Average Customer Review: 4.9 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (18 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #181,303 in Music (See Top 100 in Music)

Track Listings

Disc: 1

1. Bonanza

2. Sourwood Mountain

3. Sky Ball Paint

4. Early One Morning

5. Ponderosa

See all 27 tracks on this disc

Disc: 2

1. Introduction: Bonanza

2. Introduction: Alamo

3. Introduction: Pony Express

4. An Ol' Tin Cup (And a Battered Ol' Coffee Pot)

5. Introduction: Endless Prairie

See all 22 tracks on this disc

Disc: 3

1. The Search

2. Dig, Dig, Dig, Dig (There's No More Water in the Well)

3. Ol' Cyclone

4. Twilight on the Trail

5. Geronimo

See all 26 tracks on this disc

Disc: 4

1. The Bold Soldier

2. Mary Ann

3. They Call the Wind Maria

4. Roll Out, Heave That Cotton!

5. Lily of the West

See all 18 tracks on this disc

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

22 of 24 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars It was a great experience to hear the 4 Cartwrights sing !, October 19, 1998

By A Customer

This review is from: Bonanza: Ponderosa Party Time - TV's Original Cast (1959 - 1973 Television Series) (Audio CD)

This set is a great piece for any collector of Bonanza items or each fan of the series. The songs are mostly western type, but you just have to sing along. Lorne Greene, Michael Landon, Dan Blocker and Pernell Roberts are doing a great job together and you really feel like joining them on the Ponderosa.

15 of 16 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars It's like being at the Poderosa!, November 28, 2000

By A Customer

This review is from: Bonanza: Ponderosa Party Time - TV's Original Cast (1959 - 1973 Television Series) (Audio CD)

The song selections are an enjoyable and singable mix of ballads, country-westerns, and poetic tales. Best of all is the dialogue and the by-play among the Cartwrights...you feel as if you're sitting on the stone hearth of that huge fireplace in the Ponderosa Ranch, just part of the family. The entire cast sings, and sings well, as do the backup singers and musicians. The Christmas selections are exceptional, featuring traditonal favorites, as well as stories and songs that are unique to the CD...get ready to shed a few tears over the poignancy of Ben and his boys celebrating the season. This is a musical retreat to that rare place that defies time...it's like being at the Ponderosa!

11 of 11 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A must have for Bonanza fans!, June 2, 2002

By 

"krysia1" (Lake Hopatcong, New Jersey United States) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Bonanza: Ponderosa Party Time - TV's Original Cast (1959 - 1973 Television Series) (Audio CD)

There are 4 CDS to this set and being a fan of Bonanza since childhood, I think the hefty price is well worth the first and fourth CDs alone.

The first CD contains 2 "Ponderosa Parties", namely Ben's Birthday Party and A Christmas party. The songs are a mixture of traditional ballads and songs made specifically for the CD and all are excellent, especially the tear jerker" My Sons, My Sons" rendered beautifully by Lorne Greene. But the most appealing part of CD1 is the banter than flies among the four Cartwrights. I feel as if I am actually sitting on the hearth of that great stone fireplace, listening to Ben and his boys tease each other and share the joys of family and friendship. But fans of Adam beware: he makes only one appearance at the Christmas party but is featured many times in the birthday party, as are all the Cartwrights.

CDs 2 and 3 are devoted solely to the magnificent voice of Lorne Greene who renders his ballads and folk tunes in a deep, resounding, mellow voice. This however is more Lorne Greene than I'll ever need, but still, it's a "nice to have", especially if you long to hear the voice of "Pa" once again.

CD4 is excellent due largely to the talents of Pernell Roberts whose voice is exquisite. The first part of the CD is actually a re-mastering of his LP "Come All ye Fair and Tender Ladies" and is a collection of love songs and ballads with womens's names in the titles. I had never heard of most of these before, but they have now become favorites ("Maryann" being my favorite. No dialogue on the Pernell Roberts part of the CD, but then, none is needed.

Now the last part of CD4 was a surprise to me. It contains tales and songs by Dan Blocker. Dan tells a good tale but talks rather than sings his songs. This was more history lesson than music lesson but still entertaining.

For the Little Joe/Michael Landon fans, there is no CD dedicated to him, which is surprising, since he has a nice voice. Fans of Little Joe will have to content themselves with CD1 on which he sings a soulful "Shenandoah" among others.

The quality of all the CDs is excellent and the content is too if you are a fan of Bonanza. The set is pricey and you can only judge it's value by determining how much you'd like to hear the voices of the Cartwrights. For me to feel as if I were home at the Ponderosa, the price was right! Enjoy!