Music of the West
By Hugh McLennan
Dec-Jan 2010
All In The Journey
Gary Fjellgaard
All In The Journey is a collection of songs with a somewhat common theme, but with a variety of tempos and styles. Some of the titles are songs Gary has previously recorded with considerable success, but they’ve been reworked with a simpler approach. Falcon and the Cowboy has a message that’s perhaps even more relevant than when he first recorded it. The arrangement features Gary’s acoustic guitar, a mandolin from David Sinclair and background vocals from Linda Kidder. The poignant I Apologize is a reference to a dark page in our history and is also available as a free download on his website.
Horses in Heaven is built on a haunting melody written by Darrel Delaronde; Gary’s lyrics will resonate with all of us who love horses and our western way of life. One More Pony Ride, inspired by a horseback wedding on a Kamloops Cattle Drive, was previously recorded but Gary felt it was a good fit with the theme of All In The Journey.
Knowin’ When to Quit is a masterful up-tempo show-stopper — and it’s one I sure identify with. If I had to pick a favourite track it would be, Share The Range. In a lighthearted way it deals with the way a lot of ranch land is being subdivided and sold in small parcels to folks who have cowboy dreams but city ways.
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