ASPEN BLACK
Tales From The Road
It’s
All Good – The Free Range Cattle of Miller Road – Pancho And The Sand –
I Want To Cowboy In Hawaii – Listen – Cattle Guard – She’s His Cowgirl –
Simple Strummin’ Cowboy – Enough – Cowboy In The Corner – Fiddlin’ My
Day Away – Winter Classic 3-D – Gone – Every Cowboy Needs A Cowgirl –
Just A-Ways Down The Road
Aspen
Black makes her home in Virginia, but she moves constantly sharing her
terrific music across America. She uses a phrase “on the road” which is
one of my favorites to describe her adventures while she’s out
performing away from her home state. This particular CD is poetry. I
know, I know, it’s poetry. BUT poetry is very popular in cowboy-cowgirl
circles, and besides, it’s poetry that is the beginning of a good
song. And although this CD is ‘poetry’ Aspen has her own original
instrumental music behind each story. I like some of the ‘names’ of her
instrumental music “Taste The Rain” and “Appalachian Wind” are only two
of the 15 songs she adds to her poetry. I found it very relaxing, and
very easy to listen to. With regards to this kind of presentation, I’d
like to add a ‘quote’ from President John F. Kennedy I found very
interesting. “When power leads man toward arrogance, poetry reminds him
of his limitations… When power corrupts, poetry cleanses, for art
establishes the basic human truth which must serve as the touchstones of
our judgement. I see little of more importance to the future of our
country and our civilization, than full recognition of the place of the
artist. If art is to nourish the roots of our culture, society must set
the artist free, to follow his/her vision wherever it takes him/her.”
This album by Aspen Black is incredibly easy to listen to and you’ll
find sadness, loneliness, and even humor in what she writes. You can
see Aspen perform at this year’s 43rd National Old Time Music Festival,
August 27-September 2, in LeMars, Iowa. www.music-savers.com
RECORD REVIEW BY: Bob Everhart, President, National Traditional Country Music Association for Country Music News International Magazine & Radio Show