Search - Gene Autry, Mary Lee :: With His Little Darlin' Mary Lee

"firebrand of energy & could sing like an angel"

J. Lovins | Missouri-USA | 01/05/2001

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Gene Autry knew talent when he heard "His Little Darlin' Mary Lee" sing with the Ted Weems Orchestra, Gene had met her a few years earlier when her father brought her backstage after one of Gene's shows. Mary appeared in many of Gene's films - "South of the Border", "Back in the Saddle", "Gaucho Serenade", "Melody Ranch" and "Ridin' On A Rainbow" as you will hear on this extraordinary album featuring this remarkable young lady who gave us such pleasure watching her on the silver screen.Varese Sarabande presents 17 selections featuring Mary Lee Wooster from Centralia Illinois, as Gene arranged an audition with Republic Pictures and Mary Lee was immediately signed for "South of the Border" (1939)...listen to "GOODBYE, LITTLE DARLIN' GOODBYE" and "MERRY-GO-ROUNDUP" brings back wonderful memories.Of course the highlights - "A SONG AT SUNSET" featured in "Gaucho Serenade" (1940)..."ME AND MY ECHO" from "Carolina Moon" (1940) with Smiley Burnette..."I'M THE ONLY LONELY ONE" from "Ridin' On A Rainbow" (1941) beautiful Jule Styne ballad..."I'M AN OLD COWHAND" from "Back In The Saddle" lively duet with Gene..."SWINGIN' SAM, THE COWBOY MAN" and "TORPEDO JOE" two more Jule Styne tunes, gives out with the boogie-woogie - the latest craze of the '40s..."WHISTLE" from "Rancho Grande" (1940) has both Gene and Mary Lee with a yodelin' tune...but my all-time favorite is "CARRY ME BACK TO THE LONE PRAIRIE" from "Ridin' On A Rainbow" (1941) tender duet that tugs at your heart-strings.Recorded at the end of the Great Depression and the early days of the Second World War, these songs still have the spirit of those couregous Americans during those hard times, when all they had was Mary Lee and the "Singing Cowboy" to keep their spirits up and heads held high! Total Time: 29:02 on 17 Tracks...Varese Sarabande VSD-5910...(1998)"