Cowboy Songs

After seeing Michael Martin Murphy in concert last night I was so re-inspired by his performance that I pulled out this CD to play again. He does a 5 star treatment of all these heritage western songs. If you only buy one MMM CD it should be this one.

My Dad would play this tape for me and my brothers growing up. Haven't heard in awhile, but it takes me back to those times. Great memories, as I will pass on to my children.

We wore out my grandfather's old cassette tape listening to this every time we rode out to the horse farm in the early 90's. I loved it from beginning to end...and it will always make me think of my grandfather. Sure, maybe it's a little overproduced and slightly cheesy as a result...but come on, it was 1990!

Doesn't have 'Cool Water'. How did MMM miss that? A good album, but NOT great.

Beautiful song. Played it a my brothers funeral and everyone was moved.

I agree that this is one of the finest albums you could ever own. No matter your musical taste, if you don't get emotional listening to Spanish Is the Loving Tongue, you must be a stoic. There are so many great songs on this first effort of several that MMM has done. He tells such a wonderful story, keeps the music authentic. His crystal clear tenor voice reminds you of a brisk early autumn Rocky Mountain morning. Truly, when it seems that these troubled days of our economy, the war and bipartisan politics can really drag your soul down into a deep well of blues, give MMM's music a listen. What a shot of fresh air. Bless you MMM for the gift that you provide for so many of us. Young, old, no matter your race, background, etc. this man has soul and depth. We all need a shot of that from time to time.

Michael Martin Murphey's talent, heart and soul is right here for all to experience......don't miss it.......I'm addicted!

How can I be the first one to write a review about this album? I believe it went gold for MMM about a decade ago and by all rights should be double or triple platinum by now at LEAST. This album represents one of the high water marks in Murphey's ebb-and-flow career. This is the album where he declared his undying love for traditional Western music. He is the champion of this music today and most likely will be until old age forces him to retire from recording and touring. His concerts are religious experiences. I'm going to give you two tracks from this album to listen to if you are open to being converted: First, "The Streets of Laredo". Listening to MMM's version of that song here is the emotional equivalent of watching "No Country for Old Men" on the biggest movie screen in America. It's a dark and amazingly moving story of a song as it's sung by Mr. Murphey here. Second, "Spanish is the Loving Tongue". The most unbelievable thing is that both of these songs are in the public domain. One has to wonder why other more popular artists failed to see the potential of these classics before MMM did. Nevertheless, his rendition of this old, old tune absolutely kills. I've seen him perform it live many times and it never fails to rip me apart. Sometimes, late at night after my kids are in bed, I'll drink wine and listen to this song and cry. It's just so good. GOOD - that's the only word to describe the experience of listening to this recording. There's no other way to put it. The lyric, "She was black, and I was white, like as not it's better so" is so relevant and moving at this point in history it never fails to send teardrops dropping out of the corners of my eyes. And that's just two of the great songs on this album. Buy it - you won't be disappointed.