Music of the West
By Hugh McLennan
October - November 2005
Fore the Coming of the Wire
Charlie Camden
 While we were hauling our horses down the road for our series of horsemanship clinics we listened to Charlie's new CD several times and the longer we listened, the better we liked it. I've known Charlie for several years, and he's well known in cowboy poetry circles and for his weekly radio show on KRLC Lewiston Idaho where they also carry The Spirit of the West.
He's a fine poet and I love the way he sings. There's something soothing in the quality of his voice. The title song is a nostalgic look at the early West, starting out with 3,000 head of longhorns making the drive north. This track and Bitter Creek, written by Brenn Hill are my absolute favourites.
The noted Canadian cowboy poet, Henry Herbert Knibbs wrote the classic poem, Where the Ponies Come to Drink. My friend Ed Stabler of Texas set the lyrics to a fitting melody and Charlie's version on this album takes you right to the Arizona high country.
Along with the music, there are several captivating recitations of good cowboy poetry here. The only instrumentation is from Bodie Dominguez on guitar, bass and harmonica and it's the perfect backdrop for the whole project.
You can order this one from Charlie by phone at (208) 937-9899 or by mail at 609 Oak Street, Nezperce, Idaho 83543.
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