Music of the West
By Hugh McLennan
Jun-Jul 2007
Country Recollections
Carlene Friesen
I’ve been around this business a long time and I can usually tell when a performer has paid their dues and really developed their gifts. From the first notes Carlene Friesen hits, I could tell she was a pro. Her CD Country Recollections has the best version of I Want to Be a Cowboy’s Sweetheart since Patsy Montana’s original. As I listened to her rapid-fire delivery of Leroy Van Dyke’s Auctioneer I thought, there’s a profession that has been pretty well dominated by guys, but if Carlene was selling cattle, a lot of folks would probably be bidding.
Not purely a collection of western music, this one has some beautiful renditions of songs made famous by Patsy Cline, a wonderful arrangement of Tennessee Waltz, and she sings the words and plays the notes on a rousing Orange Blossom Special.
The CD concludes with an inspiring medley of gospel songs including Amazing Grace, I’ll Fly Away, Will the Circle be Unbroken, and I Saw the Light.
A powerfully beautiful voice, lightning fingers on the fiddle and when she steps into the spotlight she owns the stage. You can order this one from Carlene at Carasen Productions (780) 444-6277.
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