Happy Trails: The Roy Rogers Collection, 1937-1990 [Box set]

Amazon.com
Very few reconciled the often-conflicting agendas of art and entertainment as deftly as Roy Rogers. The King of the Cowboys owned a tenor voice so amiable and mellifluous that it had the power to disarm even the most jaded among us. Perhaps that's why he was such a popular figure in the years during and after World War II: his music was an antidote to the unsettled nature of the times, recalling the simple and sincere life of the cowboy, but revolving around timeless themes that even the slickest city boy could relate to. The bulk of this three-CD collection comes from Rogers's steady stream of radio shows, and the performances are highly professional yet never stiff, musically resonant yet never self-serving, and they usually are more exuberant and spontaneous than the original studio versions. The comprehensive set brilliantly showcases the range and depth of Rogers's talents: he could croon a congenial ballad one moment, yodel passionately and fluently the next, and lead a hot-swinging big band after that. Many of the cuts feature the incredible instrumental and vocal talents of the Sons of the Pioneers or the harmonies of wife Dale Evans, while the studio numbers usually feature the top players of the day. The majority of his Western songs were written not on the prairie, the ranch, or the trail, but in Hollywood and Tin Pan Alley. Still, Rogers had an uncanny ability to make the unauthentic and calculated sound genuine and refreshing. And while this may not be authentic Western music, it is without question authentic Hollywood-style Western music, which has its own distinct rewards. The result is an immensely charming collection that celebrates Rogers's charismatic performances, but more than that, pays homage to midcentury radio and film and their valiant (yet ultimately futile) attempt to recapture America's rapidly fading innocence. --Marc Greilsamer

Tracks:

I've Sold My Saddle For An Old Guitar - Roy Rogers & The Sons Of The Pioneers
That Pioneer Mother Of Mine - Roy Rogers
It's Home Sweet Home To Me - Roy Rogers
The Man In The Moon Is A Cowhand - Roy Rogers
Cool Water - Roy Rogers & The Sons Of The Pioneers
A Cowboy Has To Sing - Roy Rogers & The Sons Of The Pioneers
Pistol Packin' Mama - Roy Rogers & The Sons Of The Pioneers
Cleanin' My Rifle (And Dreamin' Of You) - Roy Rogers
My Saddle Pals And I - Roy Rogers & The Sons Of The Pioneers
Sweet Georgia Brown - Hugh & Karl Farr
Roll Along Prairie Moon - Roy Rogers
Singing Down The Road - Roy Rogers
Milenburg Joys - Hugh & Karl Farr
Ridin' Down The Canyon - Roy Rogers & The Sons Of The Pioneers
Do-Si-Do - Roy Rogers & The Sons Of The Pioneers
Don't Fence Me In - Roy Rogers
Silver Stars, Purple Sage, Eyes Of Blue - Roy Rogers
Take Me Back To T-E-X-A-S - Roy Rogers & The Sons Of The Pioneers
Lady Round A Lady And The Gent Solo - Roy Rogers
My Chickashay Gal - Roy Rogers
Silver On The Sage - Roy Rogers, Dale Evans & The Sons Of The Pioneers
Cowboy Ham And Eggs - Roy Rogers & The Sons Of The Pioneers
Out California Way - Dale Evans
We'll Rest At The End Of The Trail - Roy Rogers, Dale Evans & The Sons Of The Pioneers
There's A Home In Wyomin' - Roy Rogers, Dale Evans & The Sons Of The Pioneers
A Gal In Calico - Roy Rogers
Ridin' Down The Sunset Trail - Roy Rogers/Dale Evans
Gonna Build A Big Fence Around Texas - Roy Rogers & The Sons Of The Pioneers
The Kid With The Rip In His Pants - Roy Rogers & The Sons Of The Pioneers
Wagon Wheels - Roy Rogers, Dale Evans & The Sons Of The Pioneers

Tracks:

Home On The Range - Roy Rogers, Dale Evans & The Sons Of The Pioneers
My Little Lady - Roy Rogers
Cowboy Jubilee - Roy Rogers & The Sons Of The Pioneers
Smiles Are Made Out Of The Sunshine - Roy Rogers & The Sons Of The Pioneers
(Oh Why, Oh Why, Did I Ever Leave) Wyoming - Roy Rogers & The Sons Of The Pioneers
Git Along Little Dogies - Roy Rogers & The Sons Of The Pioneers
My Heart Went That-A-Way - Roy Rogers/Dale Evans
Ole Faithful - Roy Rogers & The Sons Of The Pioneers
Along The Navajo Trail - Roy Rogers, Dale Evans & The Sons Of The Pioneers
Ragtime Cowboy Joe - Dale Evans
Jingle, Jangle, Jingle - Roy Rogers/Dale Evans
Empty Saddles - Roy Rogers
(Down The) Trail To San Antone - Roy Rogers & The Sons Of The Pioneers
Linda Lou - Roy Rogers
Red River Valley - Roy Rogers, Dale Evans & The Sons Of The Pioneers
Little Joe The Wrangler - Roy Rogers & The Sons Of The Pioneers
Roll On Texas Moon - Roy Rogers/Dale Evans
The Wheel Of The Wagon Is Broken - Roy Rogers & The Sons Of The Pioneers
My Adobe Hacienda - Roy Rogers/Dale Evans
Carry Me Back To The Lone Prairie - Roy Rogers & The Sons Of The Pioneers
You Can't Take Texas Out Of Me - Roy Rogers & The Sons Of The Pioneers
Way Out There - Roy Rogers & The Sons Of The Pioneers
Ride 'Em Cowboy - The Sons Of The Pioneers
Dangerous Ground - Roy Rogers
If You're Ever Down In Texas Look Me Up - Roy Rogers & The Sons Of The Pioneers
Blue Prairie - The Sons Of The Pioneers
I'm Gonna Lasso A Dream - Roy Rogers/Dale Evans
Twilight On The Trail - Roy Rogers, Dale Evans & The Sons Of The Pioneers
I'm Thinking Tonight Of My Blue Eyes - Roy Rogers & The Sons Of The Pioneers
Wait'll I Get My Sunshine In The Moonlight - Roy Rogers/Dale Evans
'The Roy Rogers Show' Promotional Announcement - Roy Rogers
'Roy Rogers Coral' Promotional Announcement - Roy Rogers

Tracks:

Dust - Roy Rogers & The Sons Of The Pioneers
I'm An Old Cowhand (From The Rio Grande) - Roy Rogers, Dale Evans & The Sons Of The Pioneers
My Little Buckaroo - Roy Rogers, Dale Evans & The Sons Of The Pioneers
Blue Shadows On The Trail - Roy Rogers & The Sons Of The Pioneers
(There'll Never Be Another) Pecos Bill - Roy Rogers/Foy Willing/The Riders Of The Purple Sage
Rose Of Ol' Pawnee - Roy Rogers/Foy Willing/The Riders Of The Purple Sage
Candy Kisses - Roy Rogers/Dale Evans/Foy Willing/The Riders Of The Purple Sage
Don't Ever Fall In Love With A Cowboy - Dale Evans
Stampede - Roy Rogers & The Sons Of The Pioneers
May The Good Lord Take A Likin' To You - Roy Rogers/Dale Evans/Foy Willing/The Riders Of The Purple Sage
A Four-Legged Friend - Roy Rogers
There's A Cloud In My Valley Of Sunshine - Roy Rogers
Happy Trails - Roy Roger/Dale Evans
California Rose - Roy Rogers
Hazy Mountains - Roy Rogers/Dale Evans/Foy Willing/The Riders Of The Purple Sage
Tumbling Tumbleweeds - Roy Rogers & The Sons Of The Pioneers
Alla En El Rancho Grande - Roy Rogers/Dale Evans
The Oregon Trail - Roy Rogers/Dale Evans
That Lucky Old Sun (Just Rolls Around Heaven All Day) - Roy Rogers/Dale Evans
San Fernando Valley - Roy Rogers/Dale Evans
The Strawberry Roan - Roy Rogers/Dale Evans
Ol' Man River - Roy Rogers
River Of No Return - Roy Rogers/Dale Evans
Peace In The Valley - Roy Rogers
Money Can't Buy Love - Roy Rogers
Lovenworth - Roy Rogers
Hoppy, Gene And Me - Roy Rogers
Lord Have Mercy On My Soul (A Sinner's Prayer) - Roy Rogers
Alive And Kickin' - Roy Rogers
King Of The Cowboys - Roy Rogers, Jr.
Roy Rogers Riders Club Prayer - Roy Rogers
Happy Trails - Roy Rogers/Dale Evans

Amazon.com

Very few reconciled the often-conflicting agendas of art and entertainment as deftly as Roy Rogers. The King of the Cowboys owned a tenor voice so amiable and mellifluous that it had the power to disarm even the most jaded among us. Perhaps that's why he was such a popular figure in the years during and after World War II: his music was an antidote to the unsettled nature of the times, recalling the simple and sincere life of the cowboy, but revolving around timeless themes that even the slickest city boy could relate to. The bulk of this three-CD collection comes from Rogers's steady stream of radio shows, and the performances are highly professional yet never stiff, musically resonant yet never self-serving, and they usually are more exuberant and spontaneous than the original studio versions. The comprehensive set brilliantly showcases the range and depth of Rogers's talents: he could croon a congenial ballad one moment, yodel passionately and fluently the next, and lead a hot-swinging big band after that. Many of the cuts feature the incredible instrumental and vocal talents of the Sons of the Pioneers or the harmonies of wife Dale Evans, while the studio numbers usually feature the top players of the day. The majority of his Western songs were written not on the prairie, the ranch, or the trail, but in Hollywood and Tin Pan Alley. Still, Rogers had an uncanny ability to make the unauthentic and calculated sound genuine and refreshing. And while this may not be authentic Western music, it is without question authentic Hollywood-style Western music, which has its own distinct rewards. The result is an immensely charming collection that celebrates Rogers's charismatic performances, but more than that, pays homage to midcentury radio and film and their valiant (yet ultimately futile) attempt to recapture America's rapidly fading innocence. --Marc Greilsamer

Customer Reviews:

Best ever collection of Roy Rogers music!.......2007-01-20

If you are a Roy Rogers fan, this is a must have. You will enjoy hearing all the songs that you enjoyed in his movies. His songs make you happy and it's easy to catch yourself singing along. He's the best cowboy singer. Wonderful voice! Anyone would enjoy this collection! 5 stars!

one missing.......2003-01-11

This is a great set,but where is "Think of me",a 1943 hit,on the Decca label(#6092)?

A Great Box Set.......2002-12-31

I have been a Roy Rogers fan for many, many years. I love his Western films, especially the ones with Dale, Gabby and the Sons of the Pioneers, but I also love his music. In my opinion, Roy is America's #1 singing cowboy. That's why I was so tickled when I found this boxed set. There are many great "movie" songs featured, some which I have heard over and over, still others that I have never heard before. I'm familiar with " Jingle, Jangle, Jingle" which has been recorded by other artists but this was my first time to hear it done so wonderfully by Roy and Dale. It is one of my favorite cuts. The same goes for "River of No Return." There are just too many great songs to mention here.

I hope Dusty, and all the people responsible for getting Roy and Dale's music on CD, will gather some more of those precious gems from Roy's countless B westerns and put them in yet another boxed set. One song in particular I would love to hear again is "Idaho", from the 1943 movie of the same title.

If you are a Roy Rogers fan, you will love this box set.

Overall, a good set.......1999-11-29

Overall, a good set.

A couple of caveats: - These are radio transcriptions, with really bad acting between the songs. - Some of the key songs are not performed in full. - Some of the songs have topical verses added ('Get Along Little Dogies' with a verse that the cattle would become meat for the soldiers!) - The swing orchestra on many of the songs is rather strange; but some selections have guitar. - Interesting to hear the aggressive commercials for tie-in merchandise (nothing new under the sun!) - Booklet is printed on dark paper in tiny type.

Still a good set.

awesome.......1999-09-05

Roy Rogers was a hero to me asa child, young adult and even now as an old adult. To be able to own a collectionof his music like this is beyond words. The music is a very good representation of his career in the movies. Thetribute to him by Dusty is something every parent would be proud of.

Music Album:

Music Album