A Pair of Kings

Amazon.com
The venerable cowboy band Riders in the Sky are often lauded for their dazzling instrumental dexterity, as well as for the versatility of their repertoire. But no less surprising is how the Grammy winners have kept things fresh through the years, whether championing traditional (if also original) Western music, with its complex chord structures and vocal harmonies, or recasting themselves as children's entertainers. On A Pair of Kings, they showcase their talents in yet a different way, by building the entire album around the playing and singing of band members Woody Paul, fiddler extraordinaire, and the accordion-toting Joey the Cowpolka King. Neither Joey nor Woody can match Ranger Doug's resonant baritone, but they more than carry the day with a combination of respectable vocal performances, a winning blend of material (from a Celtic medley to cowboy fare to polkas and waltzes), and sterling choices of arrangements and musical phrasing. The small fry will appreciate the cornball humor ("You Stole My Wife You Horsethief"), while swing aficionados will find much to like in their deft handling of "How High the Moon" and a tongue-in-cheek rendering of "I'm an Old Cowhand." Who says you can't teach old dogies new tricks? --Alanna Nash

Tracks:

We're Burnin' Moonlight
Clarinet Pola
You Stole My Wife You Horsethief
How High The Moon
Texas Sand
Celtic Medley
I'm an Old Cowhand
Jessie Polka
Never Go To Church On Sunday
The Bunkhouse Race
Don't Sweetheart Me
Katherine's Waltz

Amazon.com

The venerable cowboy band Riders in the Sky are often lauded for their dazzling instrumental dexterity, as well as for the versatility of their repertoire. But no less surprising is how the Grammy winners have kept things fresh through the years, whether championing traditional (if also original) Western music, with its complex chord structures and vocal harmonies, or recasting themselves as children's entertainers. On A Pair of Kings, they showcase their talents in yet a different way, by building the entire album around the playing and singing of band members Woody Paul, fiddler extraordinaire, and the accordion-toting Joey the Cowpolka King. Neither Joey nor Woody can match Ranger Doug's resonant baritone, but they more than carry the day with a combination of respectable vocal performances, a winning blend of material (from a Celtic medley to cowboy fare to polkas and waltzes), and sterling choices of arrangements and musical phrasing. The small fry will appreciate the cornball humor ("You Stole My Wife You Horsethief"), while swing aficionados will find much to like in their deft handling of "How High the Moon" and a tongue-in-cheek rendering of "I'm an Old Cowhand." Who says you can't teach old dogies new tricks? --Alanna Nash

Customer Reviews:

Only for music lovers........2003-10-05

I became a fan of the Riders twenty years ago when I was in engineering school, after hearing them on programs such as "A Prarie Home Companion" and "Austin City Limits." I thought that their style of exceptional musicianship for pure fun was something special. After picking up a couple of their albums which were more spoof than music, I sort of gave up on them.

A few weeks ago I picked up "A Pair of Kings" and fell in love with the Riders all over again. This is musicianship at its finest, the way I wish I could play it. It is jazz in cowboy boots and hats, at once simple and sophisticated, and most of all, pure fun.

The Riders have added an accordian, expertly manipulated by "Joey The Cowpolka King." Just when you thought it couldn't get any better.

Dr. Woody Paul, once dubbed "the King of the Cowboy Fiddlers" shows us why with his up-tempo, soulful rendition of "Celtic Medley," track no. 6. And on track no. 10 "The Bunkhouse Race" Woody and Joey remove all doubt that we are experiencing the finest possible.

Ranger Doug Green, once proclaimed "Idol of American Youth" demonstrates his title when he sings "Texas Sand." (track 5.) Outstanding.

"Too Slim" with his stand-up bass rounds out the quartet with his own undeniable musical expertise, adding the bottom nth degree to the ensemble.

The straw which broke my back is track no. 4, an old jazz standard, one popularized by Les Paul, "How High the Moon." "Somewhere there's music," it's on this album!

If you're too cool to like accordians or anything country, pass this album by. It's definitely not on your level. If you like fun music at its very finest, check out this album as soon as possible. How good can it get? How high the moon!

Tracks:

Swing That Music
All By Myself
What Am I Here For?
St. Louis Blues
Crazy Rhythm
Tea For Two
I Can't Give You Anything But Love
It's You Or No One
Oh, Lady, Be Good!
Farewell Blues
(Back Home Again In) Indiana
Fats Waller Medley: Say Yes!/Jitterbug Waltz/Ain't Misbehavin'/Keeping Out Of Mischief Now...

Music Album:

Music Album