Happy Trails: The Roy Rogers Collection, 1937-1990 [BOX SET]

Roy Rogers

Product Details

• Audio CD (May 18, 1999)
• Original Release Date: May 18, 1999
• Number of Discs: 3
• Format: Box set
• Note on Boxed Sets: During shipping, discs in boxed sets occasionally become dislodged without damage. Please examine and play these discs. If you are not completely satisfied, we'll refund or replace your purchase.
• Label: Rhino / Wea
• ASIN: B00000IQ18
• Average Customer Review: 4.8 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (8 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #225,697 in Music (See Bestsellers in Music)

Track Listings

Disc: 1

1. I've Sold My Saddle for an Old Guitar

2. That Pioneer Mother of Mine

3. It's Home Sweet Home to Me

4. Man in the Moon Is a Cowhand

5. Cool Water

6. Cowboy Has to Sing

See all 30 tracks on this disc

Disc: 2

1. Home on the Range - Dale Evans, Roy Rogers & The Sons of the Pioneers, Roy Rogers, Sons of the Pioneers

2. My Little Lady (Hadie Brown)

3. Cowboy Jubilee

4. Smiles Are Made Out of the Sunshine

5. (Oh Why, Oh Why, Did I Ever Leave) Wyoming

6. Get Along, Little Dogies

See all 32 tracks on this disc

Disc: 3

1. Dust

2. I'm an Old Cowhand (From the Rio Grande) - Pat Buttram, Dale Evans, Gabby Hayes, Roy Rogers & The Sons of the Pioneers, Roy Rogers, Sons of the Pioneers

3. My Little Buckaroo - Dale Evans, Roy Rogers & The Sons of the Pioneers, Roy Rogers, Sons of the Pioneers

4. Blue Shadows on the Trail

5. (There'll Never Be Another) Pecos Bill - Riders of the Purple Sage, Roy Rogers, Foy Willing & the Riders of the Purple Sage

6. Rose of Ol' Pawnee - Riders of the Purple Sage, Roy Rogers, Foy Willing & the Riders of the Purple Sage

See all 32 tracks on this disc

Editorial Reviews

Amazon.com

Very few reconciled the often-conflicting agendas of art and entertainment as deftly as Roy Rogers. The King of the Cowboys owned a tenor voice so amiable and mellifluous that it had the power to disarm even the most jaded among us. Perhaps that's why he was such a popular figure in the years during and after World War II: his music was an antidote to the unsettled nature of the times, recalling the simple and sincere life of the cowboy, but revolving around timeless themes that even the slickest city boy could relate to. The bulk of this three-CD collection comes from Rogers's steady stream of radio shows, and the performances are highly professional yet never stiff, musically resonant yet never self-serving, and they usually are more exuberant and spontaneous than the original studio versions. The comprehensive set brilliantly showcases the range and depth of Rogers's talents: he could croon a congenial ballad one moment, yodel passionately and fluently the next, and lead a hot-swinging big band after that. Many of the cuts feature the incredible instrumental and vocal talents of the Sons of the Pioneers or the harmonies of wife Dale Evans, while the studio numbers usually feature the top players of the day. The majority of his Western songs were written not on the prairie, the ranch, or the trail, but in Hollywood and Tin Pan Alley. Still, Rogers had an uncanny ability to make the unauthentic and calculated sound genuine and refreshing. And while this may not be authentic Western music, it is without question authentic Hollywood-style Western music, which has its own distinct rewards. The result is an immensely charming collection that celebrates Rogers's charismatic performances, but more than that, pays homage to midcentury radio and film and their valiant (yet ultimately futile) attempt to recapture America's rapidly fading innocence. --Marc Greilsamer

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

13 of 13 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars awesome, September 4, 1999

By A Customer

Roy Rogers was a hero to me asa child, young adult and even now as an old adult. To be able to own a collectionof his music like this is beyond words. The music is a very good representation of his career in the movies. Thetribute to him by Dusty is something every parent would be proud of.

10 of 10 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars One of the most pleasant, relaxing recordings I've heard., July 28, 1999

By	[e-mail] (Maryland) - See all my reviews

The purity of the blending of the voices is something not easily found today. There is no need to protect children from the lyrics. Roy Rogers and his associates always present an uplifting choice of music, lyrics, and pure entertainment. Their comedy skits are not only funny, but CLEAN! They did not need sex and violence to entertain their audiences, and hearing them again is a pure joy.

10 of 10 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars outstanding music at an outstanding value, July 3, 1999

By A Customer

As other reviews have stated, this is a Roy Rogers fans never heard on pro recordings. And hearing the slightly different arrangements as well as the exceptional backup vocals with the Pioneers and Riders of the Purple Sage add even more magic to already excellent songs.The pristing quality of the tracks as well as the excellent packaging and VERY informative booklet are worth the price of admission alone. But it's the music that captures the imagination and brings a smile and even a tear to the eye as Roy yodels, does a square dance call, banters with Dale and Gabby, and just charms the socks off of listeners of the programs not only in the 1940's and 50's, but today as well. The songs from later in his career let us hear an older but still wonderful voice. It definitely is music I would never be ashamed or embarrassed to let my parents or my kids hear.I sure hope Dusty, Larry Zwisohn and Rhino Records will work together to release more of this priceless and uniquely American music.