Music of the West
By Hugh McLennan
Apr-May 2008
Trails Old & New
Rusty Richards
To say Rusty’s latest CD has been a long time coming is an understatement. As I listened to it for about the fourth time, it occurred to me that the spirit and beauty of the West seems to seek expression in numerous ways and Rusty Richards is a medium that has been chosen to express this spirit.
Trail’s Old & New is his first release since his highly acclaimed American Cowboy LP many years ago. A prolific songwriter, he’s often said he’s written and forgotten more songs than he’s actually published. Twelve of his more recent compositions are included here and the first thing you notice is his voice. That beautiful far-reaching tenor is just as clear and strong as ever. The next thing you notice is the big bold sound of Rusty’s custom made Joe Rogers, Jr. guitar. He told me this was not intended to be a commercial release, just a way to preserve some of the songs he’s written. Modern studios generally record vocal tracks and then subsequent lead, rhythm and bass guitar tracks, then other instruments are added. Rusty just played and sang and the sound has an intimacy that I really like.
There are a few writers that have the gift of writing beautiful meaningful lyrics, then blending them with unique and appropriate melodies. Add in the God-given voice to express the song and you have Rusty Richards. Take me Home Lord is just one example with lines like: “If the starlight stops it’s gleamin’, cowboy poets stop their dreamin’, if the moonlight stops it’s beamin’, take me home Lord”.
From Back When the Longhorn Was King to Jim’s Marker, this is a sample of the work of one of the finest writers in the world of western music and it’s highly recommended. Order it from rustyrichards.com.
|
