Music Reviews
Apr-May 2005
Music of the West
Sing and Swing
By Hugh McLennan
OPEN RANGE
The Stampede Swing Band
 The Spirit Of the West Christmas show introduced a song from a couple of Montana singers called Rocky Mountain Christmas a few years back. That song arrived as a single on a CD from Rick Steinke and Linda Hausler. A few weeks ago, I received Open Range - their latest release - and it's an ear-pleasing collection of original songs from deep in the heart of cattle country with a great western swing flavour. Rick has written a pile of new songs for this album and I love the way he focuses on the essence of life in the saddle and the joy and despair of the lives of working cowboys and ranchers. Anyone who's ridden into the relentless bitter wind from the eastern slopes to Cypress Hills will be nodding their heads when they hear Cold Bitter Wind. This duo sounds great whether they sing together in close western harmony or individually. Linda does a fine job on the closing track The Western Land I Love also written by Rick. You can see the picture he had when you listen to the opening lines, "When evening chores are done and the setting of the sun paints a golden glow across the valley floor, I saddle up and take a ride 'tween God's green earth and sky, a reminder of the western land I love." There's way too many good ones to pick a favourite here but Arizona Saturday Night, Cool Blue Mountains and the title track Wild Western Plains are just a few that deserve recognition and will make the Spirit Of The West play list in coming months. The arrangements make good use of Rick's instrumental talents on lead and rhythm guitar, non-pedal steel and mandolin. Nancy Padilla is the featured fiddle player and the sound is enhanced to just the right degree by the great keyboard and accordion work of Dean Anderson. Order this one by calling 888-349-3007 or from the website at www.openrangeband.com.
|
