Search - Michael Martin Murphey :: Heartland Cowboy: Cowboy Songs, Vol. 5

Musical Masterpiece

Danny Grizzle | Longview, TX USA | 11/16/2006

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Michael Martin Muphey's new "Heartland Cowboy" grew from his involvement with the PBS series, "America's Heartland." Unlike previous volumes of his work in mostly historic forms of cowboy music, "Heartland Cowboy" offers a more unsentimental and sometimes hard view of contemporary life outside the big city.



This is not formula work. There is true art present - a dynamic range running through the entire human condition. A young girl up before dawn caring for her horse before school, a long ride across the Texas Panhandle for a friend's funeral. "Close to the Land" - theme song for the PBS series - homage to character, values, and honest hard work. A light touch of romantic love in the beautiful lilting melody of "Bluebonnets," contrasting a more ominous atmospheric ballad of love lost in Bruce Springsteen's "Dry Lightning."



All proof that, in word & speech, more is said when less is spoken. Like all of Murphey's best work, the greater dimension of this recording is more spiritual than audible.



Every track is consistently excellent. Melody, lyrics, arrangements, and performance are flawlessly superb.



I'm not the only one who thinks Heartland Cowboy is great. I can only smile when my 22 year old daughter takes notice: "This CD is really good. Who is this guy?"



If there were any justice in the world, this CD would set records at the top of the charts. It is an offense that an artist of Murphey's quality goes too often unnoticed in today's tumultuous world of corporate radio programming and shattered music labels. Even so, this is a recording destined to be an all-time favorite for many to cherish."

Another fine piece of work from M.M.M.

robert budnik | palmer, ak USA | 06/14/2007

(5 out of 5 stars)

"A short while back I surfed Amazon to see if Michael Martin Murphey had anything new out and BAM! up pops Heartland Cowboy. I went straight to checkout, no research or sampling needed for this fan. I have all of his stuff. This CD is a sheer delight, every track. If your'e a dedicated fan you need to get it. If you don't have any of his music yet this is a great place to start and then move on to the rest. If your'e a cowboy or a daydreaming cowboy wannabe like me M.M.M.'s music puts you in the saddle of a trusty horse riding the open ranges of the west. His lyrics reflect the forthright and honest ethics of the cowboy culture. My favorite tune on this CD is Long and Lonesome Ride to Dalhart. Its a fine melody with lyrics that tell a story of sadness, pride, and hope. That's what I love about M.M.M.'s music. Fine tunes and musicianship that also tell you a story about the cowboy west. A particular gem on this CD is Bluebonnets written by Ryan Murphey, his son. I've admired other songs written by Ryan including Easy on the Pain on the Cowboy Songs Four CD. Ryan is a very talented musician and writer and comes up with some beautiful toe tapping stuff. All of the cuts on this CD are delightful and infectious. Don't hesitate to order it. Man, I wish we still had Top 40 Radio. I know that at least two or three cuts from this CD would be on the latest chart."

Michael Martin Murphy

Nadine L. Roy | Dripping Springs, TX United States | 08/18/2007

(5 out of 5 stars)

"The songs about storms you can feel right down to the bone. Very well done."