Music Reviews
Dec-Jan 2005
Music of the West
Sing and Swing
By Hugh McLennan
It's Time To Sing a Song
The Oklahoma Balladeer
Les Gilliam
Les Gilliam has long been one of my favorites among today's crop of Western singers. For this project, he's brought in the Prairie Rose Wranglers to fill in beautiful background harmonies and give the production a warm mellow western sound. Les wrote four fine songs for the collection and he introduces several songs with an interesting commentary.
There's a beautiful arrangement of Bob Nolan's seldom heard Trail Dreamin. Back in 1956, Gogi Grant had a million-selling record called The Wayward Wind and it was also recorded by the great Tex Ritter. Hi Busse and the Frontiersmen were the only western group to record this great song until now. Les and the Prairie Rose Wranglers do it proud. Cindy Walker's Dusty Skies has long been a favorite of mine. I've got it by the Gillette Bros., and Asleep at the Wheel but I sure enjoy hearing Les Gilliam's version.
Another seldom heard Bob Nolan song that deserves to be heard everywhere The Mystery of His Way is beautifully done on this collection.
Now, an interesting observation - Les does a fine job on Teardrops in My Heart. It's been recorded by Hank Snow, Rex Allen Jr., the Sons of the Pioneers and several others. I've even had the privilege of doing the recitation part with The Daughters of the Purple Sage on stage a few times. According to the late Hi Busse, Vaughn Horton wrote the song with the Sons of The Pioneers in mind. When the chance to play steel guitar on a recording session with the group came along he grabbed the opportunity. During a break in the recording, he showed the new song to the group and they loved it. They asked him what the lyrics were for a part of the melody he hadn't finished yet, and rather than lose their interest Horton said: "Oh that part's the recitation."
The only thing missing in this fine CD is the recitation on Teardrops in my Heart.
You can order this one from Les Gilliam, phone (580) 762-4837, or from his website at www.lesgilliam.com.
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