Probably the greatest of the "singing cowboy" bands, The Sons Of The Pioneers were one of the most popular country acts of the 1930s and '40s
Probably the greatest of the "singing cowboy" bands, The Sons Of The Pioneers were one of the most popular country acts of the 1930s and '40s
The Sons Of The Pioneers "Symphonies Of The Sage" (Soundies, 2001)
The best of the singing cowboy bands, performing in their prime during a 1940-41 lull in their recording career. These transcription discs have great sound quality and even greater song selection. The brother duo of Hugh and Karl Farr provide excellent lead and backup on fiddle and guitar, the vocals are peppy and precise as always. Fans of the Pioneers sound will have to snap this one up -- it's rare material that's seeing CD release for the first time ever. Very nice... highly recommended!
The Sons Of The Pioneers "Country Music Hall Of Fame Series" (MCA, 1991)
Outstanding retrospective of the best "cowboy" bands ever; from their first 1934 recordings with Roy Rogers in the band, to their final Decca sessions in 1954 (when none of the original members were left in the band). The disc includes charming topical songs among the standard ride 'em, cowboy sentimental schmaltz (such as the New Deal propaganda of "When Our Old Age Pension Check Comes To Our Door" and the post-Pearl Harbor "Private Buckaroo.") To be sure, the Sons were formulaic, but its such a sweet sound, you gotta love it. Highly recommended!
The Sons Of The Pioneers "Columbia Historic Series" (Columbia, 1988)
More classic material, also highly recommended. This set is perhaps a bit smoother, and more polished than the others reviewed above, though every bit as enjoyable. Cowboy music doesn't get better than this!
The Sons Of The Pioneers "Ultimate Collection" (MCA-Nashville/Hip-O, 2002)
Although I can't say that I'm wild about the cover art, this is a really, really nice collection of classic Sons material, spanning the band's career from 1934-54, when they were absolutely at their peak. This collection easily supercedes the "Hall Of Fame" disc listed above -- the sound quality is much warmer, and the programming is great. Then again, there isn't that much overlap between the two, so there's really no reason not to own them both. Great stuff -- one of the most listenable cowboy albums out there!
The Sons Of The Pioneers "Under Western Skies" (Varese Sarabande, 2005)
The seemingly inexhaustible supply of old western-themed singing cowboy material featuring the Sons Of The Pioneers -- Roy Rogers' pals and longtime backing band -- continues unabated with this fine set of radio transcriptions of undocumented provenance. This is actually very early material for the Sons, apparently dating back to the 1930s. They already sound somewhat jaded and businesslike, doling out perfect little cowboy songs like convicts stamping license plates. Actually, though, that's one of the things I like about these old radio performances, is hearing the live, showbiz side of these old artist's careers, how they handled their obligatory, perfunctory commercial duties, and how they sounded, as the consummate professionals they were... And make no mistake, this disc gives a good glimpse at the band in its early years...
The Sons Of The Pioneers "Western Harmony And Hot Swing, v.1" (BACM, 2005)
The Sons Of The Pioneers "Western Harmony And Hot Swing, v.2" (BACM, 2005)
Sons Of The Pioneers & Roy Rogers "Way Out There: The Complete Recordings: 1934-1943" (Bear Family 2009)
Hank Snow "Snow Under Western Skies" (Bear Family, 2008)
A cowboy-themed set from Canadian country superstar Hank Snow, gathering oldies from his pre-Nashville days, radio recordings and songs from his 1965 Sons Of The Pioneers tribute, Heartbreak Trail. Ride 'em, cowboy!
