Customer Reviews

Tucson Tapes-First Set

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The Tucson Tapes are a "lost treasure," as it were, discovered by Travis in a box of old reel-to-reels. Allan Shaw of Rediscover Music should be commended in re-issuing them at all, let alone for doing such a great job with the sound, the artwork, and the liners.

On the CDs, we hear Travis breaking away from Bud and Travis by doing a number of songs B&T never performed, particulalrly Travis originals. "Moonbabies and Sunflowers" (Disc One) is a particular treat in that it's the only place you will find a recording of this Edmonson original (abbreviated though it is here). "I'm A Drifter" (Disc One) is perhaps Travis' finest hour as a solo performer. Fans of B&T's comedy patter will also enjoy this CD, as it features a more intimate and perhaps less rehearsed comic repartee with the audience than on the B&T live albums.

Remarkable and laudable though they are, these two Travis re-issues beg some questions: will we be seeing more Bud and Travis reissues any time soon? The Collector's Choice Best Of (1998) sold a lot (in the CC Top 10 for that year, along with K Trio and some other illustrious company), but not enough to recover the cost of Capitol/EMI's stiff (VERY stiff) licensing fees. I am hoping that the Tucson Tapes will sell enough to re-garner some interest in another B&T re-issue.

Also, as far as Travis solo goes, it would be great to see CD re-issues of his two cult classics of the cowboy folk genre: The Liar's Hour (with Bill Monroe) and Ten Thousand Goddamn Cattle (with cowboy singing legend Katie Lee).
Everyone--buy these two albums, and the B&T Best of on CC Music. They are not only great albums, but they will help in the cause of further B&T re-issues.