Marty Robbins- Gunfighter Ballads and Trail Songs

  • DSCN5268 (800x788)This classic record was only $2.40 and in pretty decent shape.  I have posted a couple Marty Robbins albums before this one including the follow-up second volume.  Well, no time like the present for this.Screen-Shot-2012-12-07-at-3.25.24-PM

This record was huge success for Robbins.  In fact, it was his biggest seller.  Going #1 on the Country and #6 on the general album charts, it started the trajectory that his career would take, especially posthumously. For someone my age, it is hard to fathom that Robbins had a career outside of his western ballads.  DSCN5269 (800x798)

This album was released in 1959 and would later go Platinum. The biggest single, “El Paso” went to # 1 on both the pop and country charts and won Robbins a Grammy. It would become his signature song and his only tune to top the pop charts.

As far as the album goes, it is one of the most influential country records of all time.  Featuring songs written by Robbins as well as some previously recorded material and traditional songs, all the tunes are classics.  46E03FC26EDD434591684312CC1DDC8A

I was torn between what song I wanted to sample, but after a while and some thought, I went with a Robbins penned “The Master’s Call”. I really do like “Big Iron” as well as “Strawberry Roan”, which apparently my grandpa used to sing.robbins_marty_image06

Top Rated Record. Another short and to the point Saturday post.  If I missed something, feel free to drop me a line in the comments.

Marty Robbins- The Drifter

DSCN4673 (800x773)This was $1.00.  I got it for the song that I will post.aba5e3463b1f1b818405feca572dd8b865428

This was about Marty Robbins’ 18th album or so.  Released in 1966, it continues on the success he found nearly 6 years prior with gunfighter ballads.  Despite recording other country hits, it is these ballads that Robbins’ is perhaps best known for.DSCN4674 (800x798)

This album in particular would go to #6 on the country album charts.  It contained “Faleena” a pre-quel if you will to Robbins classic “El Paso”.  “Faleena” tells the back story of the woman in the original tune as well as her end. main-4297

The album also contains “Mr. Shorty”, which went to # 14 on the country charts. The song tells the story of a showdown between a short man with a short barreled Bat 44 and a bullying brute who goads him to use it.  How does it end? In spectacular fashion, but you will have to listen to it for yourself for the specifics.10517645_1

As for the album itself.  It is pretty decent.  “Meet Me Tonight in Laredo” is a fine number.  So is “Cry Stampede”.  This may indeed be Robbins’ purest cowboy record. Critics have called the album Robbins’  “most artistically ambitious albums as well as one of his most accomplished”.   Satisfactory.

Marty Robbins- More Gunfighter Ballads

DSCN1504

With discount, this came to $2.40.  Perhaps, I should have started with the first Gunfighter Ballad album which I bought the same weekend at another Half Price Books, but I had a certain song in my head on this album.

Marty-RobinsIt is hard to imagine Marty Robbins had a career outside of ballads and trail songs, mainly due to marketing efforts in the 80’s.  More pop-country numbers such as “White Sport Coat” and “Singing the Blues” have long been swept aside by such hits  “El Paso” and “Big Iron”.

MartyRobbinsBorn in Glendale, AZ in 1925, Robbins started out on local radio and television.  After signing to Columbia Records, he had a slew of popular singles and about four LP’s.  In 1959, he would release his first collection of Gunfighter Ballads and Trail Songs.  As far as I am concerned, and thanks to the K-Tel commercials I used to watch as a kid, this genre would be his legacy.  Robbins would pass away in 1982 at age 57. Aside from singing, Robbins was an avid NASCAR fan and raced on occasion.  His record in the Sprint Cup series was 35 races in 13 years.  He would have 6 top ten finishes. His best finish in the series was # 48 in 1974.

p90223_largedodge_modified_chargerfront_drivers_side_viewAs far as this album goes, it would win a Grammy in 1961 for best country and western album.  Although not as successful as the first collection (which was Robbins’ best seller), this album carries on the same direction.  It should be noted that there are less gunfighter songs on this album.  Also at times, the songs seem a bit derivative of the first albums (thinking “San Angelo” / “El Paso”).  However, there are enough good points on this album to overlook this.

DSCN1505For a sample, I went with “Five Brothers”, a driving song about revenge. I think it is the best song on the album.  It is also the reason I bought it.

Satisfactory record.  Still prefer the first Gunfighter album which I will post at a later date ( at this point probably after September).