Only for music lovers.
Randall Brown | Tucson, AZ | 10/05/2003
(5 out of 5 stars)
"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!Randy B."