Country music was once called country & western, but there's not much Western in the style today except passing references to
Bob Wills and the odd swing tune in the sets of stars like
George Strait.
Riders in the Sky have carved out their own unique niche in country music by staying true to the Western half of the equation and making good-time music that doesn't take itself too seriously, despite the group's fine vocal harmonies, strong songwriting, and superb musicianship. This is their first "inspirational" album, although it lacks the hardcore religiosity of many overly sincere country artists. The quartet's trademark self-effacing humor is still evident and keeps things from getting too solemn. The quartet takes on four tunes recorded by
the Sons of the Pioneers -- "The King's Highway," "The Mystery of His Way," "Lord, You Made the Cowboy Happy," and "He Walks with the Wild and the Lonely" -- showing off their smooth harmonies and understated instrumental work. "This Ole House," once a novelty hit for
Rosemary Clooney, is a lighthearted look at mortality and given an uptempo arrangement full of sly humor. They're a bit more serious on "River of Mystery," a Ranger Doug tune that likens life to a river that winds its way to the unknown sea, and Bob Nolan's "Lord, You Made the Cowboy Happy." The album closes with
Too Slim's tongue-in-cheek take on old-time religion "The Stingy Congregation," a poem that leads up to an ironic punch line. ~ j. poet