CHIEF JIM BILLIE
Alligator Tales

Sound of America,
(800) 890-SOAR (7627); http://www.soundofamerica.com

If you enjoy hearing a first class storyteller weave his special brand of magic in a deep, husky voice that conjures up Father Time himself, and if you've ever wanted to know more about life in the Florida Everglades, step right up. Chief Jim Billie is an authentic Seminole Indian chief, and much of what he brings to Alligator Tales comes out of tribal origins. These stories and songs, set to lively music that mixes rock, folk, and country, will make you feel like dancing, but will also educate you, entertain you, and show you how the ancient ways of his unique tribe have come to blend with life today.

Chief Billie, a Viet Nam veteran and respected chief who has been head of his tribe since 1979, also wrestles alligators when he's not occupied with tribal business and music. Thus, his perspective in these songs takes on a special slant, and what shows clearly is both an abiding love for his life and his true grit. He has a personal interest in language preservation, and songs like "Big Alligator" and "Sawgrass Flower" contain lyrics in Seminole.

Backing up the chief on this novel CD is a fine band, including terrific percussion, a hot fiddle performance by Phil Salazar, and delicious jungle sounds. Honey-voiced veteran vocalist Jennifer Warnes joins Chief Billie on three of my favorite tracks. The album was produced by John McEuen, former member of the Nitty Gritty Dirt Band. It was honored with an Outstanding Musical Achievement award at the 1999 First Americans in the Arts event.

The chief has a friendly, upbeat style. This would be a good album to put on your millennium party agenda.

--Marcia Noren

IAN TYSON
Lost Herd

Listen to the title track in RealAudio format


Vanguard; (800) 597-6647; http://www.VanguardRecords.com

The working cowboy's favorite singer is back with 10 varied and satisfying tunes. Tyson purists will especially enjoy hearing his solos, with minimal accompaniment, on "Blue Mountains of Mexico" and "Somewhere Over the Rainbow." Yes, Tyson does a superb, understated rendition, recorded live, of the famous "Wizard of Oz" song.

Other songs, "Brahmas and Mustangs" and "Roll on Owyee," feature rich backup harmonies and more complex arrangements. Other treats include some fine saxophone solos ("Lost Herd" and "Summer's Gone"), blues ("Elko Blues") and a terrific Spanish guitar backup by Jesse Cook on "La Primera." The latter song commemorates the history and life of the Spanish horses brought by the conquistadors. Tyson also remembers "The Legends of Cutting" with a song that has a solid, traditional cowboy sound. Full lyrics are included in the liner notes. This is a great contribution to Western music from a singer who shows us that he's still in his prime.

--Richard W. Slatta

COWBOY SONGS, BALLADS, AND CATTLE CALLS

Texas Rounder Records CD 1512;
(617) 354-0700;
http://www.rounder.com

The Library of Congress is reissuing some of its historic recordings, including this one of more than a dozen field recordings done by folklorist John A. Lomax in Texas during the 1940s. It features many familiar tunes sung by unfamiliar performers-mostly working Texas cowhands with no musical training. A special highlight is "The Night Herding Song," sung by its composer Harry Stephens of Denison, Texas. Sloan Matthew of Alpine, Texas, sings several songs and does some cattle calls. Several of the cuts include commentaries by the performers.

The fascinating 30 pages of liner notes include the full text of the songs and interviews, along with the background of each tune. "The Zebra Dun," for example, is thought to be a corruption of the :Z Bar" brand. Lomax himself performs "The Buffalo Skinners," a song, like many on the album, with British roots. The CD also includes two renditions of "Good-bye Old Paint," "The Dying Cowboy," "The Streets of Laredo," and "The Texas Rangers." This intriguing collection, mostly sung a cappella, will entertain anyone with an ear for the authentic music of bygone days.

--Richard W. Slatta

Copyright ©1999 Cowboys & Indians


Top of Page