Gene Autry - Back in the Saddle Again: 25 Cowboy Classics

Though easily as popular as Bing Crosby, Gene Autry was not as versatile and perhaps not as talented as his fellow multimedia star. But to his credit, Autry was better able to capture the imagination of a young, ever-expanding American consciousness with songs that helped create the myth of a West where "you sleep out every night and the only law is right." The songs on this collection span from 1929 (with a wonderful yodeling blues called "Blue Yodel No. 5") to his signature tunes "Back in the Saddle Again" and "You Are My Sunshine," recorded in the early 1940s. What's remarkable about this collection (arranged roughly in chronological order) is how closely many of the early songs are tied to African-American blues. As the collection progresses into the mid-30s, the elements we've come to recognize as "Western" begin to emerge in the music. Through it all, Autry's performances are sturdy and plainspoken, unfolding with an unexpected ease and grace. Generally excellent sound makes this CD a perfect starting place for those interested in one of America's most important early pop icons. --S. Duda Amazon.com

Gene Autry is a great singer

The CD I ordered from amazon of Gene Autry came quickly to my house. I have always loved the cowboy songs of Gene Autry. Awsome CD. November 7, 2007

Gene Autry "Back In The Saddle Again:"

It is Gene at his all time best. If you are either an old or new fan of him I highly recommend it for your collection. Again my cassettes do not even start to compare in goodness to this CD in showing his great musical talents both vocal and instrumental. A must have. July 18, 2007

Must have CD for Country Western fans.

This is one of my favorite country western CDs. Ol' Gene gave us his best in numbers ranging from Mexicali Rose to Blue Hawaii to Blueberry Hill.

I just can't get enough of the simple somewhat melancholic style. Also these are transfers from analog recordings and the slight degradation in sound quality adds to the "long ago" feeling.

The simple, yet memorable arrangements will melt a heart of stone. I remember listening to some of these numbers on the Voice Of America program. The VOA programs used to open with some songs as a prelude to interviews and the like.

What a treat. Makes one pine for the wide open spaces.
February 14, 2006

BACK IN THE SADDLE-AUTRY ALBUM

THIS IS GREAT, AS WERE THE OTHERS YOU HAVE ON AMAZON.COM October 19, 2003

25 of Gene's best ranging all different styles he's covered

Gene recorded much of his best in between the 1930's and 1940's and this compilation of 25 Gene Autry classics on ASV runs the gamut of musical styles he has covered ranging from western (Back In The Saddle Again, Tumbling Tumbleweeds, Dust, South of The Border, etc.), pop (Blue Hawaii, Mexicali Rose, Blueberry Hill, etc.), blues (Any Old Time, his cover of Jimmie Rodgers's Blue Yodel #5, etc.), country (You Are My Sunshine, Have I Told You Lately That I Love You, etc.) and other styles and were recorded from 1929-1945. While Bing Crosby covered Gene's "Goodbye Little Darlin' Goodbye" ..., the sound quality for the most part is generally excellent while some songs such as "Mexicali Rose" and "Silver Haired Daddy of Mine" do sound rough compared to CD's using Sony's original sources but it does sound acceptable for the 78 plus the surface noise adds authenticity and nostalgia for the people who grew up in the era these songs were recorded. This is the perfect introduction to the talent of Gene Autry, plus ASV has a companion disc to this collection called "The Last Roundup" if you want more to add to this collection with no overlap. Absolutely essential to any collection of country, western, and early pop music and after all you can't go wrong with ASV's product after all. January 25, 2002

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