Music Reviews
Apr-May 2004
Music of the West
Sing and Swing
By Hugh McLennan
Elsewhere
Sid Marty
This collection of pure Canadian songs is not 100 per cent western, but there are some real gems in it. My favorite is one called “Other People’s Cattle.” It’s testament to the top hands who spend their lives applying their considerable skills to raising cattle they don’t own. The melody stays with you and the words are right to the point. For example: “I’d hate to calculate the miles of barbed wire I’ve strung, beloved stock dogs I’ve outlived and ponies I’ve worn down.” And the closing line: “We helped to feed this country boys, raisin’ other people’s cattle.”
Syd’s voice is rich and clear. It reminds me a little of the late Canadian folk singer, Stan Rogers. The arrangements were done by the talented Tim Williams and feature a competent collection of musicians including David Wilkie, Amos Garrett, Ken Hamm, John Campbell, Ron Casat and Bill Eaglesham, as well as Williams. Harmony vocals are provided by Denise Withnell, Myrna Marty and Tom Wilson.
“Maybe the Wind” is an intriguing ballad that sure takes me back to those cold October days, searching for stray cattle in far reaches of the summer range, when you crave the warmth of a fire and your body fights off hypothermia.
There’s a fine tribute to Wilf Carter here, called “Key of Joy,” with the line: “Here’s to that wanderin’ Nova Scotia boy, who sang of the Rockies in the key of joy.”
Order it from Sid Marty, Center Peak Productions, P.O. Box 3296, Pincher Creek, Alberta, TOK 1W0. sid@sidmarty.com. (403) 629-2331.
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