Search - Sons of the Pioneers :: Western Hymns & Spirituals

"Western Hymns & Spirituals ... Sons of the Pioneers ... Var

J. Lovins | Missouri-USA | 08/23/2008

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Varèse Sarabande presents "WESTERN HYMNS & SPIRITUALS" -- The Sons of the Pioneers was an American cowboy singing group founded in 1933 by Leonard Slye (better known by his later screen name Roy Rogers), with Tim Spencer and Bob Nolan --- They were soon joined by others including Karl Farr, Hugh Farr, Lloyd Perryman, and Pat Brady --- The group remained popular into the 1960s --- Though all of the above members have passed away, the group continues on today (2008), led by Dale Warren (a member since 1953 replacing Ken Curtis), and performs regularly at concerts in Branson, Missouri and other spots --- It is believed that the Sons of the Pioneers is the oldest continually performing private musical group in history.[citation needed] Ken Curtis was best known as an actor (primarily as "Festus" on Gunsmoke), but was a member of the Sons from 1949 until 1953.



My earliest recollection of this legendary western group was on the big screen with Roy Rogers and his famous palomino Trigger (the smartest horse in the movies) --- Would sit in the fifth or sixth row of a darkened theater, watch and listen to The Sons Of The Pioneers, back then this was the best entertainment around --- Now that I look back on those films, they seem a little corny, but not the songs and those Pioneers - Bob Nolan, Tim Spencer, Hugh Farr, Karl Farr and Leonard Slye (Roy Rogers), still sound as good today as then.



The Sons of the Pioneers did several songs for the John Ford movies Wagon Master (in 1949, Rio Grande in (1950), and performed the theme song for "The Searchers" in (1953).



The six members who made the Sons of the Pioneers famous in the late 1930s with their close-harmonied western style music were elected into the Country Music Hall of Fame in 1980 --- In 1995, they were inducted into the Western Performers Hall of Fame at the National Cowboy & Western Heritage Museum in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma.



WESTERN HYMNS & SPIRITUALS: (Track Listings)



1 One More River to Cross [1:35]

2 When They Ring Those Golden Bells [2:17]

3 You Must Come in at the Door [1:33]

4 Lord, You Made the Cowboy Happy [2:15]

5 Leaning on the Everlasting Arm [2:21]

6 Power in the Blood [2:15]

7 The Touch of God's Hand [2:42]

8 What You Gonna Say to Peter [3:10]

9 Lead Me Gently Home, Father [2:21]

10 Keep A-Inchin' Along [1:44]

11 Standin' in the Need of Prayer [1:49]

12 Old Time Religion [2:14]

13 Swing Low, Sweet Chariot [2:33]

14 Dem Golden Slippers [1:48]

15 We Are Climbing Jacob's Ladder [1:35]

16 Cowboy's Dream (Roll On) [3:27]



BIOS:

1..Leonard Franklin Slye

"Roy Rogers"

Born: Cincinnati, Ohio, November 5, 1911

Died: July 6, 1998



2. Robert Clarence Nobles

"Bob Nolan"

Born: New Brunswick, Canada, April 1, 1908

Died: June 16, 1980



3. Lloyd Wilson Perryman

Born: Ruth, Arkansas, January 29, 1917

Died: May 31, 1977



4. Vernon Tim Spencer

Born: Webb City, Missouri, July 13, 1908

Died: April 26, 1974



5. Thomas Hubert "Hugh" Farr

Born: Llano, Texas, December 6, 1903

Died: March 17, 1980



6. Karl Marx Farr

Born: Rochelle, Texas, April 25, 1909

Died: September 20, 1961



Hats off to Cary E. Mansfield and Laurence Zwisohn (Collection Producers), William S. Cook (Disc Research & Transfers), Phil York (Digital Editing & Mastering), Laurence Zwisohn (Notes), Bill Pitzonka (Art Director & Design) Packy Smith (Photos) and of course the label Varese Sarabande --- Western lyrical spirituals and melodic hymns still tugs at your heartstrings --- this album would be the essential choice to your Sons of the Pioneer collection!



Total Time: 46 mins ~ Varèse Sarabande 66899 ~ (8/19/2008)"

Hymns & Spirituals!

Rick C | USA | 11/18/2009

(5 out of 5 stars)

"This is a great collection. These are classic arrangements, done with cowboy style. All great tunes.

The recordings are a little scratchy, due to the older recording technology, but the songs are very inspiring. If you've heard these songs in church, you will really appreciate these arrangements. You can hear the enjoyment in their voices as they are singing. I'd recommend this CD to anyone who is a fan of true cowboy music and loves spirituals. You will enjoy it."