Don Walser with the Lariat Cowboys
Don Walser: vocal, rhythm guitar
Zoomer Roberts: lead guitar
Tony Quero: bass
Mark Kays: drums
Recorded 13 July 1980
Before he became known as the Pavarotti of the Plains, Don Walser was stationed in El Paso with the National Guard and played the honky tonks by night. On this particular night, he was filling in for the Lariat Cowboys' vacationing front man, Joe Leaver. Don was a gregarious soul who loved to sing the older country songs -- such as this Eddy Arnold chestnut -- and I was in my element playing behind him. A few years later I turned on my TV and there he was -- singing and yodeling on the Grand Ole Opry. It couldn't have happened to a nicer guy. There are some anomalies at the beginning of 'Cattle Call' that I can't correct. If a better recording surfaces, I'll upgrade this post.
The brief opening instrumental, "Remington Ride," was written by steel guitarist Herb Remington, who recorded it during his stint with Bob Wills & his Texas Playboys. I decided to play it on the guitar after hearing Don Reno play it on the 5-string banjo. It has some cool chord inversions in it.
To find out more about Don Walser, check out his official website at http://www.donwalser.com/
Sunday, June 15, 2008
Chime Bells
Don Walser with the Lariat Cowboys
Don Walser: vocal, rhythm guitar
Zoomer Roberts: lead guitar
Tony Quero: bass
Mark Kays: drums
Recorded 13 July 1980
Whether Don's version of this piece is based on that of Slim Whitman or Elton Britt is a matter of conjecture, but it doesn't really matter. The song is a framework in which to yodel, and Don inhabits it completely.
To find out more about Don Walser, check out his official website at http://www.donwalser.com/
Don Walser: vocal, rhythm guitar
Zoomer Roberts: lead guitar
Tony Quero: bass
Mark Kays: drums
Recorded 13 July 1980
Whether Don's version of this piece is based on that of Slim Whitman or Elton Britt is a matter of conjecture, but it doesn't really matter. The song is a framework in which to yodel, and Don inhabits it completely.
To find out more about Don Walser, check out his official website at http://www.donwalser.com/
I'm Casting My Lasso Towards the Sky
Don Walser with the Lariat Cowboys
Don Walser: vocal, rhythm guitar
Zoomer Roberts: lead guitar
Tony Quero: bass
Mark Kays: drums
Recorded 13 July 1980
Don might have known every Slim Whitman song of any consequence. This one was a hit for Slim in 1949.
To find out more about Don Walser, check out his official website at http://www.donwalser.com/
Don Walser: vocal, rhythm guitar
Zoomer Roberts: lead guitar
Tony Quero: bass
Mark Kays: drums
Recorded 13 July 1980
Don might have known every Slim Whitman song of any consequence. This one was a hit for Slim in 1949.
To find out more about Don Walser, check out his official website at http://www.donwalser.com/
China Doll
Don Walser with the Lariat Cowboys
Don Walser: vocal, rhythm guitar
Zoomer Roberts: lead guitar
Tony Quero: bass
Mark Kays: drums
Recorded 13 July 1980
This was a hit for Slim Whitman back in 1952. Don was doing Slim's songs long before they became the stuff of "not sold in stores" TV albums. At the time of this performance, I didn't know where Don got his material. I just paid attention to what chords he was playing and followed along.
To find out more about Don Walser, check out his official website at http://www.donwalser.com/
Don Walser: vocal, rhythm guitar
Zoomer Roberts: lead guitar
Tony Quero: bass
Mark Kays: drums
Recorded 13 July 1980
This was a hit for Slim Whitman back in 1952. Don was doing Slim's songs long before they became the stuff of "not sold in stores" TV albums. At the time of this performance, I didn't know where Don got his material. I just paid attention to what chords he was playing and followed along.
To find out more about Don Walser, check out his official website at http://www.donwalser.com/
Tuesday, June 3, 2008
Sweet Thing
Recorded 12 May 1982
Byron Berline: fiddle
Zoomer Roberts: lead vocal, electric bass
Buddy Winston: lead guitar, harmony vocal
Mike Baron: banjo
Charles Harding: rhythm guitar
The El Paso Friends of Folk Music brought Byron Berline to town for their Fourth Annual Fiddle Fest at the Chamizal Theatre, and some of us locals banded together to accompany him. Byron had worked with everybody from Bill Monroe to the Rolling Stones (he didn't add our names to that list) and the gig was a treat for us. I got to sing a couple of songs, too, one of which was this little-known Cowboy Copas number. Henry Beebe used to sing this with the Shade Tree Boys, and we used his version. It teeters on the brink of collapse in places, but we got through it and the audience applauded. Fete accompli!
To learn more about Byron Berline, check out his website at http://www.doublestop.com/aboutus.php
Byron Berline: fiddle
Zoomer Roberts: lead vocal, electric bass
Buddy Winston: lead guitar, harmony vocal
Mike Baron: banjo
Charles Harding: rhythm guitar
The El Paso Friends of Folk Music brought Byron Berline to town for their Fourth Annual Fiddle Fest at the Chamizal Theatre, and some of us locals banded together to accompany him. Byron had worked with everybody from Bill Monroe to the Rolling Stones (he didn't add our names to that list) and the gig was a treat for us. I got to sing a couple of songs, too, one of which was this little-known Cowboy Copas number. Henry Beebe used to sing this with the Shade Tree Boys, and we used his version. It teeters on the brink of collapse in places, but we got through it and the audience applauded. Fete accompli!
To learn more about Byron Berline, check out his website at http://www.doublestop.com/aboutus.php
Monday, June 2, 2008
The Old Home Place
Recorded 12 May 1982
Byron Berline: fiddle
Zoomer Roberts: lead vocal, electric bass
Buddy Winston: lead guitar
Mike Baron: banjo
Charles Harding: rhythm guitar
This song is one of my favorites. It was originally done by the Dillards, with whom Byron cut his first album. I still perform it on occasion. This concert was videotaped and shown later on the public access cable channel. I recorded the audio from the television set on a generic cassette. The felt pad had to be glued back in before it could be uploaded, and I've corrected the pitch and applied some EQ. That the show survives at all amazes me.
To learn more about Byron Berline, check out his website at http://www.doublestop.com/aboutus.php
Byron Berline: fiddle
Zoomer Roberts: lead vocal, electric bass
Buddy Winston: lead guitar
Mike Baron: banjo
Charles Harding: rhythm guitar
This song is one of my favorites. It was originally done by the Dillards, with whom Byron cut his first album. I still perform it on occasion. This concert was videotaped and shown later on the public access cable channel. I recorded the audio from the television set on a generic cassette. The felt pad had to be glued back in before it could be uploaded, and I've corrected the pitch and applied some EQ. That the show survives at all amazes me.
To learn more about Byron Berline, check out his website at http://www.doublestop.com/aboutus.php
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