The Lost Masters
Country Rewind, 2020
8/10
One of the earliest Western singing groups in the United States, Sons Of The Pioneers have enjoyed an incredibly long career where their country spirited songs have inspired countless others.
“Cowboy Jubilee” starts the listen with sublime vocal harmonies in the oldies setting that points to their roots in the 1930’s, and “Blue Prairie” follows with restrained instrumentation alongside the expressive singing they’re known for.
Elsewhere, “Wind” stays bare and raw with minimal music amid soaring vocals, while “Yippie Yi Your Troubles Away” is vocally heavy and almost seems like a jingle with its memorable delivery. “A Cowboy Has To Sing”, one of the record’s best, then gets quite animated with many playful voices amid speedy guitars.
Closer to the end, “Cimarron (Roll On)” brings pretty musicianship to the ultra tuneful vocals, and “Song Of The Trail” keeps the tempo quick with folksy strumming alongside clever vocal layering. “Chant Of The Wanderer” exits the listen with a bouncy spirit in the brief conclusion that pretty much sums up the Sons Of The Pioneers formula- all substance and no fluff.
An institution who have won just about every award possible in the area of country music, these rare recordings prove just why the legacy of Sons Of The Pioneers has persisted since their inception in the ’30s, and why, a hundred years from now, their name will still be relative.
Travels well with: Rex Allen Jr.- Then & Now; Outlaw Billy Don Burns- The Country Blues