Music of the West
By Hugh McLennan
June - July 2009
 Cowboy Trails
Original Songs of the Canadian West
The appeal of pure cowboy music is rooted in the rhythm of hoof beats. Keith Ward has captured this feel in his latest CD with 10 songs reminiscent of the era of the silver-screen cowboys. These songs are all original and recent. Keith’s love of the romantic side of western music blends with his modern cowboy work experience to give the project real authenticity.
The first track to make the Spirit of the West play list is Bob Creek, based on his experience riding on that big outfit on the Livingstone Range.
Keith has a pleasing, effortless voice. The harmonies are smooth and reminiscent of the Sons of the Pioneers. He covers a sizable range in his song, Rusty Spurs; the warm quality runs from the lower register to his gently soaring higher notes. All 10 tracks are thoroughly enjoyable. One favourite, Medicine Hat Paint, pays tribute to a good roping horse that Keith had until 2004.
Roy Warhurst, as he did for Keith’s previous release, 100 Years Too Late, produced this CD. His brand is evident in the soaring fiddle that we earlier heard when Roy was with the Sons of the Pioneers.
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