MAZE
Robert Tree Cody
with Rob Wallace & Tony Redhouse
Canyon Records,
(800) 268-1141;
http://www.canyonrecords.com

The hidden mysteries of the geometric maze have enchanted mankind for centuries. A musical metaphor, this new album, Maze, also enchants, bringing together again the talents of Robert Tree Cody and Rob Wallace, who collaborated on the popular 1996 release from Canyon Records, White Buffalo. Deeply textured, Maze weaves an imaginative journey of wanderings and encounters with the original inhabitants of the Southwest. The Native American flute of Robert Tree Cody (Dakota-Maricopa) beckons the seeker to step through the maze's entrance and travel on into further exploration. Along the way, members of various tribes gather and share their stories and experiences. Progressing through the maze, prayers and lullabies, cries, and ancient chants are heard. These are the voices of the Hopi, Mohave, Navajo, Apache, Yaqui, and Tohono O'odham. "The Hunter's Prayer" introduces provocative, hypnotic rhythms by expressive worldbeat percussionist Tony Redhouse (Navajo). His use of traditional drums and a variety of primitive percussion instruments complement both Cody's flute and the innovative sound designs and keyboard compositions of synthesist Rob Wallace. Marlene Cody (Assiniboine-Yankton/Mohave) joins her husband Robert, bringing her sweet vocals to the mix. Journey forth, and meet the music within the maze.

-Marcia Noren

PRICKLY PAIR
Saddle Up and Ride,
Cactus Dance
Prickly Pair and Cactus Chorale Entertainment Inc., a Rockhouse Recording;
(307) 455-3338 or
e-mail: pricklypair@wyoming.com;
www.thepricklypair.com

Prickly Pair-Locke Golliher Hamilton and Les Hamilton-have hit the charts and stayed on the Gavin Americana folk radio with their old-time fiddling, yodeling, Celtic sounds, and lively lyrics from traditional and original songs. Les, a fourth-generation Wyoming fiddler, captures the romance of his heritage, while Locke, also from Wyoming stock, plays rhythm guitar and does the lead vocals. The duo is in good company on this national station, which features Ricky Scaggs, Bob Dylan, and Joan Baez. Both CDs show off the couple's depth and acoustic talent as well as their musicians' skill. This isn't the Nashville sound. Cowboy music fans must have these songs in their collections, but folk fans who don't listen to cowboy music will love Prickly Pair, too. The music encompasses Western, Swing, Bluegrass, Celtic, and Gospel. The Prickly Pair's songs reflect a love of old-time cowboys and their ways. They have researched old Irish cowboy music. "It's happy and jaunty and glad and tragic," Locke says. They found one ballad in a 1923 songbook stashed in a piano bench at a historic lodge in Wyoming, and they discovered a Celtic jig, "Range of the Buffalo/Garyowen" in a 1928 songbook. The waltzes will have you imagining yourself in the arms of a handsome cowboy or old-fashioned cowgirl sliding across a turn-of-the-century barnwood floor. Prickly Pair has created classics for the trails to come.

-Elizabeth Clair Flood

SKIP GORMAN
A Cowboy's Wild Song to His Herd
Rounder CD 0449;
http://www.rounder.com

Following up his successful Lonesome Prairie Dove (see review in C&I, November 1997), Skip Gorman brings us another fine collection of old-time cowboy tunes. The 16 cuts include several toe-tapping fiddle tunes and a wide range of songs from upbeat to melancholy. The arrangements, harmonies, and instrumentation are minimalist, lending an air of authenticity to the performances. Bass player Mary Burdette adds vocal harmonies on some songs, while Jeff Davis picks the banjo. These songs from yesterday include "Utah Carroll," which Gorman calls his "favorite all-time cowboy ballad," and a fine rendition of the "Cowboy Love Song." "Red River Valley," the title song, penned by the patriarch of the famous Carter Family, is a lovely reverie to the cowboy life. We get a taste of Curley Fletcher's humor in "Ridge Running Roan" and of Jack Thorp's ability to tug at our heartstrings in "Little Joe the Wrangler's Sister Nell." Gorman plays a mean fiddle, and several numbers add a lively touch: "Smith's Red Apple," "Rocky Road to Dublin," "Piney Woods," "Amarillo Waltz," "Midnight on the Water," and "Dry and Dusty." In short, Gorman has a little something for every lover of traditional cowboy music, from fiddling to yodeling to strumming.

-Richard W. Slatta

Copyright ©1999 Cowboys & Indians


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