Music of the West
By Hugh McLennan
Feb-Mar 2010
1977
Allen Christie, Coleman Robinson & Mel Brown
Mel Brown won the Country 103 Rising Star competition at the 2009 Kamloops Cowboy Festival. His poetry got him that award and, since then, Alberta’s great, pure cowboy singer and songwriter, Allen Christie, went to work setting several of Mel’s poems to music and recording them. Allen does the vocals and most of the instrumental work. The result is great listening.
I’m not sure if it’s Mel or Coleman Robinson doing the vocal on Fat Girls. That one might not please those into absolute political correctness, but man, is it catchy. The final track features Mel reciting his poem, Babblin’ On.
This is an album that you’ll want to play several times. The more you listen, the more clever phrases you’ll pick up. For example: “Didn’t know the cop was a lady when I smacked her,” and “Hutterite wine should be sold at the liquor store.”
There’s a lot I like about this one. Another highlight is Allen’s guitar solo on Buckle Bunny. The poem is transformed into a catchy acoustic talkin’ blues and the guitar solo sounds reminiscent of Hank Snow’s style. Order it from canadiancowboy.ca. Or call Mel Brown at 403-358-2767.
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