15 Years: A Retrospective

1. Happy Cowboy

2. Timber Trail

3. The Gift

4. Great American Cowboy

5. Along the Santa Fe Trail

6. Song of the Rover

7. Wyoming On My Mind

8. Is It Because

9. Anything But a Cowboy

10. From Whence Came The Cowboy

11. I ride Along And Dream

12. Charlie And The Boys

13. Texas Plains

14. Utah (With One Eye)

15. Ghost Riders In The Sky

16. The Legend Of Jake Kincaid

15 Years: A Retrospective,Sons of the San Joaquin,Dualtone Music Group,Country,Cowboy,Pop

Average customer rating: A perfect introduction to the band

15 Years: Retrospective Sons of San Joaquin Manufacturer: Shanachie ProductGroup: Music Binding: Audio CD General | Country | Styles | Music General | Country | Indie Music | Stores | Music Similar Items: From Whence Came the Cowboy ASIN: B00006JSBX Release Date: 2002-10-08

Tracks:

1. Happy Cowboy
2. Timber Trail
3. The Gift
4. Great American Cowboy
5. Along The Santa Fe Trail
6. Song Of The Rover
7. Wyoming On My Mind
8. Is It Because
9. Anything But A Cowboy
10. From Whence Came The Cowboy
11. I Ride Along And Dream
12. Charlie And The Boys
13. Texas Plains
14. UTAH (With One Eye)
15. Ghost Riders In The Sky
16. The Legend Of Jake Kincaid

Customer Reviews:

A perfect introduction to the band.......2002-10-12

15 Years is an impeccably selected retrospective of material previously available on the Sons' three major label releases and one of their independent efforts. What it is not is a simple repackaging. Most of the songs seem to have been rerecorded specifically for this release. For instance, Richard Chon is now credited with playing on many tracks that originally featured other fiddlers.

I am happy to report that the new versions are on the same level as the original recordings. Since these songs were originally recorded, the Sons have had a chance to play them over and over again in concert, so you can be sure they are even more comfortable with the material now than when they originally recorded it. So, if you're new to the band, don't feel you're getting inferior renditions. And, if you already have their previous releases, you get a chance to hear their new take on familiar material.

And, if you *are* new to the band, I can honestly say this is the new best place to start. It's a real good cross-section of what the band is about. I predict most who try it will feel compelled to delve deeper. On that score, I wish the liner notes had indexed the songs to their original albums to make it easier for people to know which additional albums to buy, but I suppose that information can be found with a simple song search.

Finally, three previously unreleased songs are included: "UTAH (With One Eye)," "Ghost Riders in the Sky," and "The Legend of Jake Kincaid." These songs complement each other well, as they are all of the haunting, driving, "outlaw" variety of western music. To be honest, it sounds like Jack was channeling Stan Jones on his pair of originals. "Jake Kincaid" is an especially old-fashioned, classic '50s-style western song. Jack doesn't normally write in that vein, so it's a particular treat.

Any down sides to this release? Well, I wish they had included "Silver Spurs" and "Something That a Cowboy Knows," songs co-written by Jack Hannah and currently only available on one of their independent label releases. The songs could have reached a wider audience that way. Also, Jack's got a new song about the Alamo--"Where the Very Same Cottonwoods Grow"--that he has recently debuted in their live show. I would have loved that. I believe it was written after this release was in the can, though, and I understand they have plans to release it in some form in the future. I hope we don't wait too long.

Average customer rating:

15 Years: A Retrospective Sons of the San Joaquin Manufacturer: Dualtone Music Group ProductGroup: Music Binding: Audio CD Cowboy | Country | Styles | Music General | Country | Styles | Music Similar Items: Way Out Yonder From Whence Came the Cowboy Sing One for the Cowboy Horses, Cattle And Coyotes Gospel Trails ASIN: B0002IQLLW Release Date: 2004-07-27

Tracks:

1. Happy Cowboy
2. Timber Trail
3. The Gift
4. Great American Cowboy
5. Along the Santa Fe Trail
6. Song of the Rover
7. Wyoming On My Mind
8. Is It Because
9. Anything But a Cowboy
10. From Whence Came The Cowboy
11. I ride Along And Dream
12. Charlie And The Boys
13. Texas Plains
14. Utah (With One Eye)
15. Ghost Riders In The Sky
16. The Legend Of Jake Kincaid

Music Album:

1. 40 #1 Hits [Original recording remastered]
2. All I Want
3. Alone & Forsaken
4. America's Most Colorful Hillbilly Band
5. American Trucker
6. At Madison Square Garden [Original recording remastered]
7. Big Picture [Import]
8. Blue Kentucky Girl
9. Bruce Robison
10. Cadillac Jack's #1 Son

Music Album