Music of the West
By Hugh McLennan
Dec-Jan 2008
1880’s Cowboys
Jim Reader
I hadn’t been on a horse for at least three days. I was hard at work in my studio/office here at the ranch and my good young mare was looking in the window. She seemed to be thinking: “Can’t we head over the hill and check on those pairs we moved last week? That was my plan until Billie came home with the mail. She dropped a package on my desk, and in it was an advance copy of Jim Reader’s latest project. Well as much as I wanted to saddle up and get a couple of hours of riding in before dark, once I started listening, I had to stay in and hear the whole CD.
Jim and Bruce Rawling found the chemistry in a way that honours the cowboys who established the traditions in the early roundups and marathon trail drives. Jim’s deep understanding of the cowboy spirit, his gift for lyrics and melody; simple, but expertly executed arrangements of his terrific finger picking guitar, plus Bruce Rawling’s bass, mandolin, guitar, vocal harmonies and harmonica make this album really special.
With fifteen tracks, it’ll take you a long ways down the road in the CD player of your pickup. It’s tough to pick a favourite, but We Got Us a Trail Drive is the first one to make the Spirit of the West play list. The close harmony, infectious beat and clever melody is still running through my head.
Another track that fits so well with a ride to the high country following cattle tracks in October is The Gather.
My hat’s off to Jim for a remarkable project.
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