The CD will have one poem and 16 songs that range from a musical timeline from 1803, with Thomas Jefferson and the Lewis and Clark Expedition to 1870 and the Transcontinental Railroad.
The songs will have a comtemporary feel along with traditional and will get the Musical Brain going!
There are 21 musicians including native American Instruments including the didgeridoo and wind wand. Other instruments include Guitar, banjo, bass, Pedal Steel Guitar, Mandoloin, fiddle, Jew's Hark, Harmonica, Drums and Keyboard There are several very talented vocalists and the fine narration voice of Dale Pryor.
CD INFORMATION: "WEST HO! AND SONGS OF THE WEST"
The CD has 16 songs plus the poem "Where Did The West Begin" with a zesty instrumental background of guitar, fiddle and banjo which will set an enchanting Western mood for the CD. The Poem is narrated by Dale Pryor who is a direct descendant of Sargeant Nathaniel Pryor, a member of the Lewis and Clark Expedition. Dale is an Oklahoman with a town in Oklahoma named after his family - Pryor, Oklahoma.
As you can see from the titles there are some novel touches to this historical coverage of the CD: "Lotta Crabtree, the Elfin Entertainer", "The Oregon Trail Hornpipe", an orginal hornpipe by Mark Masarek and I, "Nellie Cashman, the Saint of the Sourdoughs", and "Black Bart, thePo8", to name a few.
Also, in addition to the CD, there is a History play called: "Sam Dashes Off Into History", that brings out whimsically but accurately the great technology race between the Pony Express and the Telegraph. Songs from "West Ho! And Songs of the West can be used effectively with the play and give it a fine musical touch. (See History Play below .)
"West Ho! and Songs 0f The West" is a musical treat that I think you will agree will be a feast for the senses and bring the West into a new perspective for students, teachers Curriculum developers on West Units for teachers and college Instructors and other folk interested in enjoying songs of the West.
Gary and Marilynn Venden came to Fiddlewest Studios in August of 1997 and recorded "Lotta Crabtree", "By The Great Horn Spoon", and "Sam Hamilton's Ridin' " (For The Pony Express). Their voices and musicianship take the "West Ho & Songs of the West" CD to a special place and help to continue the spirit of the west in this panorama of time from 1804 to 1875. Gary's ideas for arranging and vocal effect gave the songs a wonderful western flavor. His guitar work also accents throughout ByThe Great Horn Spoon and Lotta Crabtree. We had a great time in San Geronimo and I can't thank them enough for all the effort and expertise as well as their obvious talent. Marilynn's rendition of Lotta Crabtree brings back the times and you can just picture little Lotta singing her heart out for the 49'ers as Marilynn sings: "...Fairy star of the Mother Lode...Dancin' for the Miners...Singing a tune to clappin' hands...of the 49'ers..." Bernie Griff
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