Customer Reviews

Songs of West 1

5 star:		(1)
4 star:		(0)
3 star:		(2)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

This disc had the potential to be a good collection of cowboy music, but the producers made the mistake (in my opinion) of mixing some great old stuff with contemporary recordings and a horrific track (Gunfight at the OK Corral) in which Walter Brennan narrates the story. [Volume 2 also has a track by Brennan and an even worse one by Slim Pickens.] I find jumping around between eras a bit unsettling, and the Brennan track is like sandpaper. Volume 3 of this series is the best--purely authentic. For a series in which each disc is era-specific, try the triptyc of Cattle Call, Stampede, and Saddle Up (also available from amazon.com), which takes the listener from early to late to contemporary cowboy recordings without mixing eras.

The 18 songs of the old West are good for background music, and I especially liked Sons of the Pioneers and Rex Allen. I have heard Walter Brennan in better spots. All in all, I was not sorry I bought this one, but truthfully, I like more diversity in music and vocals.

The first four are classics and that is what caught my eye, but overall, they are the only ones worthwhile. So if you are looking for specific songs, it is okay. Sound quality is questionable, but tolerable.

Nice to reminisce to. Had sing alongs with old friends. Will be buying other Old West CDs in the future.