Search - Gene Autry :: Complete 1950s Television Recordings

Terrible! - one of the worst music purchases in 5 years

Gerald Lyda | San Antonio, TX USA | 05/26/2001

(1 out of 5 stars)

"I am a big fan of Gene Autry and western music. When I saw this box set of 1950s television recordings, I snapped it up and couldn't wait to listen to the music. I was never so disheartened! Since all recordings were made in the Fifties when audio tape was being used, I looked forward to hearing clean and crisp recordings of one of my favorite cowboy singers.As I hoped, the recordings proved crisp and many of the songs compare favorably to Autry's Columbia recordings of the period. And Mr. Autry is in good form. Unfortunately, the clean, crisp recordings of Autry's voice counts for nothing. Because Autry's beautiful singing voice is trampled upon by character dialogue and sound effects on virtually every song. Typical disruptions include: hoofbeats, squeaking leather, horse whinnies, Pat Buttram's sneezes, footsteps, horse snorts, overlapping dialogue, cornball jokes, and even crackling campfires. Even more annoying, the songs are cluttered with dialogue from various characters. Characters talk (1)before (2)during and (3) after the songs. Equally disconcerting is the fact that a great number of the songs are much too short in length. Many recordings end abruptly where a musical bridge would normally occur--and many songs seem to have been poor selections. Some songs are outright silly or childish. Other songs reflect simplistic, cookie-cutter writing. Some songs seem to be missing whole verses.This is undoubtedly the worst music purchase I have made in five years. I'll never listen to this music again. I have lost all respect for Varese Sarabande for marketing such flawed recordings."

One-of-a-kind box of 50s singing cowboy nostalgia

hyperbolium | Earth, USA | 12/09/2000

(5 out of 5 stars)

"One has to wonder if Varese label chief Cary E. Mansfield wears Gene Autry memorabilia to staff meetings and mastering sessions. There's no evidence of his clinking spurs to be heard here, yet Varese's lengthy catalog of Autry releases, topped by this spectacular triple-disc set, is clearly the work of someone with a rather fanatical interest. This encyclopedic release complements earlier issues covering Autry's film soundtracks (including a volume with teen co-star Mary Lee), a collection of Autry's collaborations with singing groups such as Sons of the Pioneers, and a disc of Autry's Christmas recordings.These tracks, recorded over a six year period (1950-1955), represent every song Autry sang on his popular television show. Included are previously unreleased tracks, rare renditions, and just enough program continuity (dialog and sound effects) to set the context. The recordings are clean and well recorded, taken directly from Autry's archives. Most are without background sound effects, though atmospheric hoofbeats on the trail (could it really be Champion?) can be heard here and there, and bits of dialog are left intact on some intro and outros. Only a very few cuts (e.g., "When It's Night Time in Nevada," "Red River Valley" and "A Heart As Big As Texas") are incomplete, fading in or out.The fades and dialog never get in the way of appreciating the music, and some snippets, like those of comedian Pat Butram, are truly revelatory. Though Butram's distinctive voice had appeared on Autry's radio program, the television seeds of his Green Acres character, Mr. Haney, are found here, along with a deeper insight as to just how satirical Green Acres really was. It's like seeing Don Knotts "Nervous Man" on the Steve Allen Show and realizing where Barney Fife was born.The optimism and purity of Autry's recordings is something to behold. Fifty years after their initial release, they retain the same sort of inspirational wonder that fuels latter-day homages such as Toy Story. Though Autry's multiple talents (singer, guitarist, songwriter, radio/TV/film star, businessman) softens the focus on any of his particular accomplishments, one can't help but be transported into the idyllic Western frontier painted by his music. The imagery and attitude is so compelling that it's impossible to avoid becoming nostalgic, either for the closing of his fictional Western frontier, or just for a spot on the braided rug in front of the television set.The three discs are stuffed with superb songs, lovingly rendered, often to the simple accompaniment of guitar and a lazy fiddle or harmonica. The song list ranges from Autry's many originals (including his rewrite of Ray Whitley's "Back in the Saddle," sung here in several different versions, even one by Pat Butram!) to traditional songs like "Home on the Range" "Billy Boy" "Down in the Valley" "Swing Low Sweet Chariot" "Old MacDonald Had a Farm" (sung with the Cass County Boys and accompanying animal sound effects) "Yellow Rose of Texas" and many, many more.At three discs and 115 tracks (augmented by excellent graphics, photos and liner notes by Allen J. Wiener), this is a rather deep place to introduce yourself to Autry. On the one hand, it includes elements of both his recording and television careers, on the other, it's an awful lot to take in as an introduction. Single-disc collections that anthologize his better-known recordings might be a more obvious first-buy. But for anyone with a love of singing cowboys, this is a terrifically playable set that will bring you hours and hours of memories you may not even have had yet."

Take me back to the 50's

straitnut | Palm Bay, FL United States | 11/01/2003

(5 out of 5 stars)

"I am a big fan of Gene Autry's music and his TV show....this is the perfect collection. It takes me back to when I sat on the floor and watched his progam. The songs are clear and the added background clippity clop of the hoof beats make you visualize riding a horse with Gene right down the road.
I would definitly recommend this collection to any fan of good cowboy music.
Thanks Varese."