RIDERS IN THE SKY
Yodel the Cowboy Way
That’s How The Yodel Was Born – Here Comes the
Santa Fe – Cowpoke – Riding The Winds of the West – Back In The Saddle
Again (Gene Autry tribute version) – Blue Montana Skies – Singing A Song
to the Sky – The First Cowboy Song – Yodel Blues – When The Bloom Is On
The Stage – At the End of the Rainbow Trail – Desert Serenade
Santa Fe – Cowpoke – Riding The Winds of the West – Back In The Saddle
Again (Gene Autry tribute version) – Blue Montana Skies – Singing A Song
to the Sky – The First Cowboy Song – Yodel Blues – When The Bloom Is On
The Stage – At the End of the Rainbow Trail – Desert Serenade
Riders in the Sky are obviously the most popular
and best-loved cowboy and western artists in America, perhaps around the
world. Sometimes I get CD’s out of the blue to review, which is how
this one happened. A fan of the Riders who makes her home in Costa
Mesa, California, Ro Taylor, felt this CD, even though it isn’t one of
the Rider’s more recent recordings, deserved to be ‘reviewed’ from an
old time country music advantage point. So, here it is. If you’ve ever
heard this wonderful group, you already know their respect for, and
ability to perform, cowboy/western music is their forte, and all of them
are committed to bringing their amazing talents together to keep this
very American musical art form alive and well today. My first exposure
to this great band was in Kerrville, Texas during the Jimmie Rodgers
Festival there. I was on with Tom Swatzell the champion dobro player,
and had a wonderful time, but it was the ‘Riders’ who captured the soul
and wonderful entertainment spirit of that whole weekend. I wanted this
group to also be on my PBS television show during the first of seven
years that I hosted and produced “Old Time Country Music.” The
show eventually appeared in 22 state-markets. For the Rider’s
appearance, it was not to happen, but the Sons of the San Joaquin did
get to do a show. Sometimes I wonder about talent ‘scouts.’ Now, the
Riders have been nominated for induction into America’s Old Time Country
Music Hall of Fame. Not sure that will happen in 2016, but the papers
are already in the typewriter, we’ll see what happens. As I listen to
this incredibly well done CD, the first thing I notice is the great
‘history’ lesson I’m getting. A whole big bunch of delightful yodeling,
and some incredible instrumentation by accordion, guitar, bass and
fiddle. It’s an amazing presentation of how country music was really
country, and how amazing it was to listen to in its heyday. How cowboy
music was really cowboy music. How western music was western, and still
is. Yodeling is fun, and the Riders make sure it is for you on this
wonderful presentation of some of America’s finest traditional music. As
I listen to this quartet, it appears to me that they can all yodel.
Ranger Doug is the foremost yodeler, but ALL of the songs reflect an
incredible respect for this wonderful musical entertainment that was so
popular when radio was real radio, recording companies were real
recording companies, and movies had some of the best western music ever
presented to the public. Not only are the Rider’s In The Sky nominated
for induction into America’s Old Time Country Music Hall of Fame, this
CD (no matter what it’s release date) is being forwarded to the Rural
Roots Music Commission for their CD of the Year awards. Good luck
Riders, I hope you will be able to accept both of these honors,
individually and together.
and best-loved cowboy and western artists in America, perhaps around the
world. Sometimes I get CD’s out of the blue to review, which is how
this one happened. A fan of the Riders who makes her home in Costa
Mesa, California, Ro Taylor, felt this CD, even though it isn’t one of
the Rider’s more recent recordings, deserved to be ‘reviewed’ from an
old time country music advantage point. So, here it is. If you’ve ever
heard this wonderful group, you already know their respect for, and
ability to perform, cowboy/western music is their forte, and all of them
are committed to bringing their amazing talents together to keep this
very American musical art form alive and well today. My first exposure
to this great band was in Kerrville, Texas during the Jimmie Rodgers
Festival there. I was on with Tom Swatzell the champion dobro player,
and had a wonderful time, but it was the ‘Riders’ who captured the soul
and wonderful entertainment spirit of that whole weekend. I wanted this
group to also be on my PBS television show during the first of seven
years that I hosted and produced “Old Time Country Music.” The
show eventually appeared in 22 state-markets. For the Rider’s
appearance, it was not to happen, but the Sons of the San Joaquin did
get to do a show. Sometimes I wonder about talent ‘scouts.’ Now, the
Riders have been nominated for induction into America’s Old Time Country
Music Hall of Fame. Not sure that will happen in 2016, but the papers
are already in the typewriter, we’ll see what happens. As I listen to
this incredibly well done CD, the first thing I notice is the great
‘history’ lesson I’m getting. A whole big bunch of delightful yodeling,
and some incredible instrumentation by accordion, guitar, bass and
fiddle. It’s an amazing presentation of how country music was really
country, and how amazing it was to listen to in its heyday. How cowboy
music was really cowboy music. How western music was western, and still
is. Yodeling is fun, and the Riders make sure it is for you on this
wonderful presentation of some of America’s finest traditional music. As
I listen to this quartet, it appears to me that they can all yodel.
Ranger Doug is the foremost yodeler, but ALL of the songs reflect an
incredible respect for this wonderful musical entertainment that was so
popular when radio was real radio, recording companies were real
recording companies, and movies had some of the best western music ever
presented to the public. Not only are the Rider’s In The Sky nominated
for induction into America’s Old Time Country Music Hall of Fame, this
CD (no matter what it’s release date) is being forwarded to the Rural
Roots Music Commission for their CD of the Year awards. Good luck
Riders, I hope you will be able to accept both of these honors,
individually and together.
RECORD REVIEW BY BOB EVERHART – www.ntcma.net
for Country Music News International