GREAT!
Connie S. Carson-Rourke | 02/07/2007
(5 out of 5 stars)
"As a Don Edwards fan, I'm obviously biased. Having met & talked with Don only strengthens my bias. He's the real deal & his music is true. This is NOT country western. This is classic cowboy music as only Don Edwards can perform it."
True Western balladeering at its finest!
S. Emory | Menifee Valley, CA USA | 11/15/2007
(5 out of 5 stars)
"I first heard Moonlight and Skies playing in Los Caballeros Western Museum, Wickenburg AZ. Don's clear mellow tones put a peace in my soul that I HAD to have more of. I bought the demo cd and was immediately addicted. His soothing melodies invite me back to the stillness and slowness of the desert.
The songs on this album sort of just set you out there with Don by a crackling campfire under the moonlit western skies. After a full day's ride, with the sagebrush and the saguaros glowing in the firelight ... you hear your horses snortling as they eat, and the coyotes look on from a distance. As you lay out on your bed roll, you hear soft strumming and the wail of Don's deep rich voice and plaintive yodels and the harmonica, dobro, and fiddle join in ... everything is right with the world.
The upbeat My Blue Heaven is a great introduction for the album, a great two-stepping tune. But the guitar and mandolin licks on St. Louis Blues are what really draw you to the uniqueness of this album. Land of My Boyhood Dreams just lassos your heart immediately and pulls it in, you are now and forever a fan. The clear rich tones of Don Edwards, who else can compare?
Boots and Saddle has the feel of a leisurely trail ride. The fiddle and guitar play to the beat of you and your horse lumbering down the trail. That's How the Yodel was born, includes the smoothest, most soothing yodeling I have ever heard. Moonlight and Skies takes you to the wide open range with a vast blanket of stars overhead and the moon shining down on this story. It is a ballad about a outlaw father and his daughter.
Ragged But Right is light and fun. It never fails to put a smile on your face. We probably can all relate to the attitude of this one. I cannot even describe the pureness of The Long Trail and what this combination of the guitar, dobro, fiddle and that voice does for your soul...you just HAVE to hear it yourself.
Coyotes is a sad yet wonderful story; you can't help but hoo-yip along with this ballad. The subject of the fading West of old is only too true. Dusty Skies is another of my favorites, about a cattle drive; the mandolin licks carry you away on the ride. Goodbye Old Pal is an sincere song that will jerk the heartstrings of anyone that has had to put down their best horse. At the same time it is not maudelin, but a tribute to a loyal friend and pal. The slide guitar on this tune, really fits the mood of the song.
Can't Shake the Sands of Texas from My Shoes is another two-stepper. An smooth, upbeat Gene Autrey song. Many of us can relate to this feeling, when we have been caught up with "have to's" that have kept us from jumping in the saddle, hitting the trail and clearing our heads.
The Dying Cowboy of Rimrock Ranch is a catchy tune about a cowboy preparing for his life's last roundup. I think because I am getting older myself, I relate more to the roundup that Don sings of here. I am looking forward to my sorrel mare coming back to take me on out to that final roundup. Beautiful song, anyone of any age will enjoy this cowboy's outlook on life.
Which is my favorite cut on the cd? I would have to say The Long Trail...it resounds in the center of my being...pure western bliss. However, Land of My Boyhood Dreams is a close second.
Many props to the excellent musicians that join Don on this album: Rich O'Brien on guitar and mandolin, Cindy Cashdollar on dobro, Mark Abbott on bass and fiddle, Norman Blake on mandolin, guitar, fiddle, and resonator slide guitar, Nancy Blake on cello and harmony vocal, Butch Hause on bass, Jon Chandler on harmonica, Hannah Alkire on cello, Bob Boatright on fiddle and Joey McKenzie on banjo.
True Western balladeering at it's finest! I agree, this IS the real deal. When I have had a hard day at work, I pop in this CD on the way home and all that other "stuff" just drifts away. I highly recommend this album to young and old."
So easy to listen to
Valerie J. Grimes | Phoenix, AZ United States | 07/03/2007
(5 out of 5 stars)
"I'm new to Don Edwards but I'm going to be buying up all of his available catalogue. This is the kind of music to listen to when you just want to relax. He has a handsome voice and his songs are traditional folk and western. He is a good yodeler. This disc seems to be less gunfighter ballads/western songs than others he's recorded and more folk and Jimmie Rodgers type material. It opens up with a great rendition of My Blue Heaven. His voice is reminiscent of Marty Robbins. Good liner notes with brief descriptions of each song. Highly recommended for traditional country music lovers! So easy to listen to!"
Track Listings (13) - Disc #1