Howdy! This page is part of my guide to "western" music, the legacy of the so-called "singing cowboys." You gotta love this stuff, with its sweet, old-fashioned sentimental themes, its love of nature and the great outdoors. Here's a look at the legacy of western music, old and new, with reviews and recommendations to make your next cattle drive the best one yet. This page covers artists under the letter "W" - please feel free to make recommendations or comments if I've missed someone.
(PS - Don't forget the cowgals, as well!)
Jimmy Wakely - see artist discography
Cindy Walker - see artist discography
Ozie Waters "It's Indian Summer" (BACM, 2005)
Johnny Western "Have Gun, Will Travel" (Columbia Records, 1962) (LP)
Johnny Western "Gunfight At The OK Corral" (Bear Family Records, 1981) (LP)
Johnny Western "Arizona Morning" (JRC Records, 1982) (LP)
Johnny Western "Heroes And Cowboys" (Bear Family Records, 1991)
This 3-CD set includes his complete works from 1952-1981...
Ray Whitley "Back In The Saddle Again" (BACM, 2002) (CD-R)
I don't know if cowboy singer Ray Whitley (1901-1979) ever recorded a full album during his lifetime, but he did cut a respectable string of singles, dating back to the early 1930s, many of which are gathered here. Whitley was born in Atlanta, but made his way out west where he found work singing on the radio as well as acting in a string of B-westerns, and later made some TV appearances. A few familiar oldies on here -- "Green Back Dollar," "Back In The Saddle Again," "Wah Hoo" -- but far more tracks that are pretty obscure, such as "Come On Boys We're Ridin' Into Town," "Mist Around The Prairie Moon Tonight," "Just A Little Cough Drop" and "You're Barking Up The Wrong Tree Now." Fans of the old-time singing cowboys may want to check this one out...
Slim Whitman - see artist discography
Buddy Williams "Down The Old Bush Track" (BACM, 2005)
Tex Williams "Hey Mr. Cotton Picker" (BACM, 2005)
Tex Williams "River Of No Return" (BACM, 2005)
Tex Williams -- see artist discography
Foy Willing & The Riders Of The Purple Sage "The New Sound Of American Folk" (Jubilee Records, 1962) (LP)
(Produced by Bobby Summers)
This is a very odd record... and very misleading. Texas-born Foy Willing (1914-1978) was, of course, a venerated figure in the singing-cowboy country subgenre, having first formed his band, New Riders Of The Purple Sage way back in 1942 after moving out to Los Angeles to break into the Hollywood movie scene. The group frequently backed western superstar Roy Rogers, both on film and onstage, and was also an early launching pad for Patti Page's singing career. Like a lot of western music artists, Willing moved from gig to gig and band to band... At any rate, this seems to have been an ill-advised attempt to jump onto the folk music bandwagon, but in the most cynical way possible: the sessions are drenched in the blandest possible, most super-whitebread, teen-scene, bobbysoxer pop-vocals stylings, perhaps spotlighting some youthful performers who were in the cast of Willing's show. It sure doesn't sound country, though, at all, even with source material that draws on the work of folks like Wiley Walker, Merle Travis and Floyd Jenkins, as well as several tunes from Foy Willing's own back catalog. Musically, it's all by-rote backbeats and perky dooo-waah vocals with sort of a sub- folk scene feel, lacking, perhaps the vigor and bone-crushing drive of better-known bands such as the Crew Cuts or the Four Freshmen. And as far as I can tell, Foy Willing isn't really on the record at all, just a cookie-cutter vocal chorus, tootling away like backup singers auditioning for a spot on A Mighty Wind. One intriguing data point, though, is the presence of electric guitarist Bobby Summers, who inserts some surprisingly vibrant, jazzy rock riffs that punctuate several songs and give this even more of an un-country feel, but also a few brief glimmers of life. Summers was the brother of pop vocal star Mary Ford, who was rumored to be involved with Mr. Willing at the time -- a supposed affair that was cited in court when Les Paul sued her for divorce. Both Summers and Ford perform on this album, along with some of their sisters, who made up the female half of the chorus.
Foy Willing & The Riders Of The Purple Sage "Sagebrush Swing" (Collector's Choice, 2004)
A sweet, swinging set of western-themed oldies from the 1940s edition of the fabled Riders Of The Purple Sage. The harmonies are sublime, the musicianship is first rate, and the songs are all a lot of fun... The liner notes don't say exactly when these radio performances were made, but the late 'Forties seem like a safe bet, perhaps when the band was on the All-Star Western Theatre program... Anyway, it's great stuff, with bandleader Foy Willing at the peak of his powers. This is a generously programmed, 20-song collection, well-paced and with great sound quality. Recommended!
Foy Willing & The Riders Of The Purple Sage "The Timber Trail" (Binge Disc/Cattle Records, 2005)
Foy Willing & The Riders Of The Purple Sage "Trail Herdin' Cowboy" (Binge Disc/Cattle Records)
Foy Willing "Cowboy/The New Sound Of American Folk" (Soundies Records, 1999)
Late vintage material, dating from the 1960s, with Willing somewhat miscast as a "folk" artist during that scene's heyday. OK, for the hardcore fan, I suppose.
Foy Willing "...And The Riders Of The Purple Sage" (BACM, 2005)
Zeke Winters & The Rocky Mountaineers "Bunkhouse Boys" (BACM, 2005)
Actually Big Bill Campbell, performing under another name...
Wylie & The Wild West Show - see artist discography
