America’s Last Singing Cowboy
Country Rewind, 2019
8/10
Listen to America’s Last Singing Cowboy
The Country Rewind label unearths some more gems here, as 15 tunes taken from the master tapes between 1950-1965 are resurrected from Rex Allen’s esteemed vault of songs, some of which are so rare his son, Rex Allen Jr., had never heard them before.
“Texas Plains” starts the listen with a swift pace of classic country sounds with fiddle acrobatics and yodeling, and the deep vocal prowess of “Lazy River” follows where an accordion adds much to the setting.
Moving along, “There’s A Blue Sky Way Up Yonder” glides with harmony vocals in the playful, sublime delivery, while “Highways Are Happy Ways” is filled with glorious melodies and moments of soothing, gospel influences. “Blue Light Waltz”, one of the album’s best, then brings rich singing alongside emotive and heartfelt instrumentation that just begs one to ask just why this track was shelved for so many decades.
Near the end, Allen puts a nice twist on Guthrie’s classic “This Land Is Your Land”, and “Novalee”, which offers some spoken word, keeps the listener hanging on every syllable. “This Old House” exits the listen quickly, where Allen’s pipes can barely keep up with the precise musicianship.
Although he found success later in life as an actor, first and foremost Allen was a country performer, and here with the legendary Sons Of The Pioneers and The Riders In The Sky providing background vocals, we’re treated to some lost gems that truly needed to be heard.
Travels well with: Rex Allen Jr.- Then & Now; Son Of The Pioneers- The Lost Masters