The latest from Trails & Rails

 

Water, Weeds & Ghosts

 

 

Walt says it best at the end of this CD -

"Singing this music is more fun than anyone ought to be able to have!"

We think you'll know all these songs, so we'll let them 'speak' for themselves.

 

From songs the cowboys actually sang, into the golden age of the singing cowboys of movie fame, here are 26 of the classics we still love – and that continue to influence our vision of the West - after all this time!

Many of the ‘newer’ songs hit the Top Forty playlists in their day, including;

Home on the Range, written as a poem in 1873 and often referred to as the ‘cowboy anthem’. It was one of the most popular songs on the radio in 1933. Bing Crosby’s recording charted at #18 that year.

But the big winner in 1933 was The Last Roundup, which is included on this CD with three other songs on the track titled, Cowboy Medley. It charted in that same year by seven different groups, including Gene Autry (#12) and Guy Lombardo (who tied for #1.)
The other songs on Track 6 are traditional cowboy tunes: Cowboy’s Dream, Whoopie Ti Yi Yo, and I Ride An Old Paint.

Along the Santa Fe Trail charted by four different groups in 1941, including Bing Crosby and Glenn Miller.

Don’t Fence Me In, by Cole Porter, was #1 in 1944, as sung by Bing and the Andrews Sisters. It charted again in 1945 by Gene Autry, Kate Smith, Horace Heidt, and Sammy Kaye.

Cattle Call, first recorded in 1944, was #1 in 1955 as recorded by Eddie Arnold and #11 that same year as recorded by Slim Whitman.

Along the Navajo Trail charted in 3 spots in 1945 in versions by Bing, Dinah Shore and Gene Krupa!

When The Bloom Is On The Sage was a theme song for the Tom Mix Radio show in the 1940s.

Three of the most popular movie songs, Blue Shadows On The Trail, Cool Water, and Tumbling Tumbleweeds, all charted in 1948. Cool Water had also charted in 1947.

Ragtime Cowboy Joe was #1 on the Hit Parade in 1912. It also charted in 1947 by Eddy Howard and in 1949 as sung by Jo Stafford. Even the Chipmunks charted with this song - in 1959! H-m-m-m -

Back In The Saddle placed #14 in 1976.

In case you’re wondering, the Medley of the West is an instrumental collection (featuring the banjo and the autoharp) that includes The Colorado Trail, Bury Me Not On The Lone Prairie, and Shenandoah.

 

Keep singing these songs. They are definitely worthy of continued attention.

 

Banjo and Mandolin, leads and backup, by Walt.

Autoharp, leads and backup, by Ken.

Guitar leads by Walt on: Streets of Laredo; Blue Shadows;
     Riding Down the Canyon; Don't Fence Me In.

Guitar leads by Ken on: Along the Navajo Trail; Ghost Riders;
     Santa Fe Trail; Don't Fence Me In.

Vocal Leads:

  • Walt
  • Paula
  • Ken on: Red River Valley; I Ride An Old Paint
  • Bruce Huntington on: Whoopie Ti Yi Yo

The Trio (Walt, Paula, And Ken) sings: Blue Prairie;
Empty Saddle; and choruses.

The Duo (Walt and Paula) sings: Ragtime Cowboy Joe; Happy Trails;

Medley Of The West Songs: Colorado Trail / Bury Me Not / Shenandoah

Cowboy Medley: Cowboy's Lament / Whoopie Ti Yi Yo
/ I ride An Old Paint / The Last Round Up

 

Enjoy ! ! ! Thanks for listening and for keeping this music alive!

 

Water Weeds & Ghosts

1) Back In The Saddle

 2:05 1940 Ray Whitley / Gene Autry

2) Streets Of Laredo

 3:22   Traditional
3) Riding Down The Canyon 3:05 1935 Smiiley Burnette / Gene Autry

4) Cattle Call

 2:29 1934 Tex Owens

5) Tumbling Tumbleweeds

 2:14 1934 Bob Nolan

6) Cowboy Medley

 4:06   Cowboy's Dream - Traditional
Whoopie Ti Yi Yo - Traditional
I Ride An 'Ol Paint - Traditional
Last Round Up - Billy Hill (1934)

7) Ragtime Cowboy Joe

 2:29 1910 Clarke, Muir and Abrahamson

8) I'm An Old Cowhand

 2:20 1936 Jonny Mercer

9) Cool Water

 3:43 1941 Bob Nolan

10) Medley Of The West (Instrumental)

 3:26   Colorado Trail
Bury Me Not
Shenandoah (all Traditional)

11) Blue Prairie

 2:30 1946 Tim Spencer / Bob Nolan

12) Along The Navajo Trail

 2:59 1945 Charles, DeLange, Markes Jr.

13) Blue Shadows On The Trail

 3:06 1948 Johnny Lange / Eliot Daniel

14) Ghost Riders In The Sky     

 3:14 1948 Stan Jones

15) Don't Fence Me In

 2:13 1944 Bob Flecthier (original poem)
16) Red River Valley 3:12   Traditional
17) When The Bloom Is On The Sage 2:26 1930 Nat Vincent / Fred Howard
18) Empty Saddles 1:53 1931 Billy Hill / Brennan
19) Along The Santa Fe Trail 3:09 1940 Dublin / Coolidge / Grosz
20) Home On The Range 3:36   Traditional
21) Happy Trails 2:33 1951 Dale Evens

 

Walt Richards: Vocals, Guitar, Banjo, Mandolin
Paula Strong: Vocals, Rhythm Guitar, Bodhran
Ken Wilcox: Vocals, Guitar, Autoharp & Whistling!
Bruce Huntington: Vocals, Stand-up Bass
Instruments: Carr and Collings Guitars, OME Banjo, Collings Mandolin, D'Aigle Autoharp
Recorded at: Double Time Studio: El Cajon, California
Jeff Forrest, Sound Engineer, Mixing & Mastering
Replication: CD"s Direct, Inc., Escondido, California
Photo Images used
by Permission:		 Tumbleweed Cover Image by Brian Goodman, Colorado
T&R photos by Greg Crowder, Los Angeles, California
Cover Design: Tom Deaton; San Diego, California
Insert: Paula Strong, La Mesa, California

Music: Traditional or Used by Permission:
Harry Fox / Disney Music / Forster Music
Shapiro, Bernstein & Co : Medley permission for The Last Round up

© Walt Richards - Hand Made Music - 2008

To order this CD, go to CD Baby

CDBaby.com

or visit

Apple iTunes

 

 

 

Ghosts of Tombstone

(Nominated for 2008 WMA Traditional Album of the Year)



The spirit of western
songwriting continues today!

 

With this CD, Trails & Rails has the good fortune of bringing eight new songs to western music fans. Six of them with lyrics and music by the amazing bass-playing Bruce Huntington!

And two that are collaborations between poet/songwriter, Les Buffham - from everywhere - and Walt Richards, founding member of Trails & Rails - from San Diego.


The instrumental talents of Walt on banjo, guitar, and mandolin, and of Ken Wilcox on guitar and autoharp are featured throughout. Paula provides rhythm guitar. And everyone in the group sings leads and harmonies.

Ken Graydon and Phee Sherline encouraged us to attend our first western music festival some years ago. (Took two years to get us there - but then the fun began!) Special thanks to Ken for joining us here to sing his own wonderful song, Windmill.

We so appreciate the support and further encouragement from western musicians and fans everywhere. And the friendships are beyond compare. Thanks to all of you for bringing us into the circle of this best-of-all music.

 

Trails & Rails - Ghosts of Tombstone
Review by Allen Singer

 

Read about Walt & Paula
in the February 2008 San Diego Troubadour

 

Ghosts of Tombstone

 1) Ghosts of Tombstone

3:20

Bruce Huntington

 2) A Million Miles From Home

3:40

Bruce Huntington

 3) Thinkin' 'bout Montana

2:49

Les Buffham /
Walt Richards

 4) Best Dang Life

2:56

Bruce Huntington

 5) Cold Northern Wind

4:19

Bruce Huntington/
Maggie Edwards

 6) Windmill

3:29

Ken Graydon

 7) Never Been To California

3:35

Bruce Huntington

 8) This Godforsaken Town

2:33

Marvin O'Dell

 9) Pecos to Pacific

2:41

Bruce Huntington

10) Pancho & Lefty

4:02

Towns Van Zandt

11) Ten More Miles

2:59

Les Buffham /
Walt Richards

12) Ghost Riders in the Sky

2:26

Stan Jones

13) Below the Kinny Rim

3:24

Les Buffham /
Mike Fleming

14) San Miguel

3:24

Jane Bowers

 

Walt Richards:Vocals: lead and harmony
banjo, guitar, mandolin; leads and rhythm

Paula Strong: Vocals: lead and harmony
rhythm guitar

Ken Wilcox : Vocals: Lead on Tracks 4 & 10; harmony
guitar; lead - tracks 8, 9, 11, 12, 13; Autoharp

Bruce Huntington: Vocals lead - tracks 7 & 11
upright bass

Ken Graydon: guest vocal lead - track 6

 

Instruments: Carr and Goodall guitars; Deering Vega #2 and Ome banjos;
Collings mandolin; custom D'Aigle autoharp

Analog recordings: Soil of the South - La Mesa, CA
Produced / Engineered by Mark Neill - La Mesa, CA October 2007
Mastered by Mark Linett - Los Angles
Replication: Reel Pictures, Inc.
Songs performed by permission from the writers / Harry Fox

Cover Art: Tom Deaton - San Diego
Insert by Paula Strong / Tom Deaton

Photography:
Trails & Rails in Tombstone, AZ: taken by Maggie Edwards
Trails & Rails on cover/tray and the ghostly Walt: Greg Crowder
Watermark: windmill at Old Poway Park: Bruce Huntington
Watermark: The Mission San Miguel

©Walt Richards - Hand Made Music 2007

To order the CD Ghosts of Tombstone, go to CD Baby

CDBaby.com

or visit

Apple iTunes

(If you don't have Apple iTunes software installed yet,
you will need to install their software first, for the above link to work.)

 

 

 

From Way Out West

 

Growing up in the silver screen era, Walt Richards and Paula Strong spent many a Saturday at the movies watching Westerns - or sitting near the radio listening to their favorite cowboy shows.

Living in the West, along with this early immersion in the "Cowboy Way", sparked an interest for both of them in all things western. After years of varied musical experiences, they found Western Music and, with their mutual love of history, everything came together.


As interpreters of this music, they feel privileged to have been in contact with some of today's finest Western songwriters. The tradition is alive and well and they feel fortunate to have the opportunity to help carry it on.

Walt and Paula are joined by Bruce Huntington, who adds his song-writing talent as well as harmony and very tasteful bass playing and by excellent instrumentalist Ken Wilcox on guitar and that famous trail instrument - the autoharp - as well as on lead and harmony vocals.

As you listen you will hear several songs with a southwest flavor. Living right on the border, we have come to appreciate the rich musical contributions of our neighbors to the south.

 

 

From Way Out West

 1) Nighttime Out On The Range

3:36

Campbell / Wagoner

 2) Night Train Down The Yellowstone

3:11

Buffham / Bryant

 3) Tres Bells Of Ol' Gran Boquillas

4:52

Buffham / Fleming

 4) Echoes of the Trail

3:02

Kendrick

 5) Old Dance Tune Medley

2:26

Traditional

 6) The Vaquero Song

4:42

Stamey

 7) Seven Spanish Angles

4:14

Seals / Setzer

 8) If You Would Dance With Me

4:29

Huntington

 9) Arizona Wind

2:51

Buffham / Lay

10) Harvey Girl

3:14

Grombacher

11) Last Steam Engine Train

2:28

Fahey / Kottke

12) Sueño

4:12

Staines

13) The Wire and The Rail

3:44

Fleming

14) Keepin' It Cowboy

3:14

O'Dell

 

Walt Richards: Lead and Harmony vocals
Lead Guitar, Banjo, Mandolin

Paula Strong: Lead and Harmony vocals
Rhythm Guitar / Mandolin Lead on Track 12

Ken Wilcox : Vocals: Lead on Track 7 and Harmony
Guitar and Autoharp: leads and fills

Bruce Huntington: Vocal Harmony
Upright and Electric Bass - Our Heartbeat!

Dave Edelman: Guest Fiddle on Tracks 2, 4, 6 and 14

 

Recorded in live mix at Double Time Studio in El Cajon, CA
Mixed by Jeff Forrest and Trails & Rails - Mastered by Jeff Forrest
Duplicated by Carl McKellips at WingSpan Studio in National City, CA

Special thanks to the fine instrument makers who make playing music such a joy.
Introducing Carr Guitars by John Bartlett,
as well as instruments by Deering, Ome, Taylor
and a brand new Pete D'Aigle autoharp.

Cover design / Insert by Tom Deaton / Paula Strong
Photography by Greg Crowder
http://www.gregcrowderphotography.com/

Songs used by permission from the respective songwriters
or The Harry Fox Agency.

 

Produced by Walt Richards - September 2006 ®

To order the CD From Way Out West, go to CD Baby

http://www.CDBaby.com/cd/trailsrails3

or visit

iTunes
http://www.apple.com/itunes/

 

 

Mountains of the Heart

We love the Eastern side of the Sierras. Something about that rugged beauty, in all its various and often surprising forms, keeps drawing us back to its slopes.

We also love Dave Stamey's Sierra-inspired songwriting. The album title comes from his wonderful 'Mountains of the Heart' - a gift to all who have lived through those changes in relationships that occur as we move on and off life's ridges and in and out of its canyons.

A word about the cover. I was so happy when I came across the perfect photograph that my Dad had taken on one of his own trips to the Sierras. Our family enjoyed many meals of trout that he coaxed out of the lakes like this one.


 

We hope you enjoy listening to these songs as much as
we enjoy singing and playing them.

~ Walt and Paula ~

 

Mountains of the Heart

1) Coyotes

3:43

Bob McDill

2) Cowboy Buckaroo

3:46

Mason Williams

3) Don't Fence Me In

2:26

Cole Porter

4) Colorado Trail

3:20

James Bliss

5) Sun Flower Dance

2:04

Traditional

6) The Old Double Diamond

2:42

Gary McMahan

7) Back In the Saddle

2:06

Gene Autry and Ray Whitley

8) Home On the Range

4:05

from Dr. Brewster Higley's 1873 poem

9) Mountains of the Heart

4:08

Dave Stamey

10) Red Velvet

1:52

Ian Tyson

11) Golden Slippers

1:19

Tradional

12) Cowboy Rhythm

2:12

Patsy Montana

13) Rose of San Antone

2:38

Bob Wills

14) Cowboy Lullaby

4:28

Danny Wheetman

15) Seek Higher Ground

2:53

Donna Guffey

Total Time 44:42

 

Walt Richards: Lead Guitar, Banjo, Mandolin
Lead and Harmony vocals

Paula Strong: Rhythm Guitar
Lead and Harmony vocals

Photo Credits with many thanks to:
Ray Pearl - cover photo: South Lake Bishop, California
Gary Wigdahl of El Cajon - back tray studio photo
Skip Good of Descanso - photo from Vacquero Days 2004

Special thanks to Jeff Forrest at Doubletime studio in El Cajon for
recording, mixing and mastering this CD and to Carl McKellips of
Wingspan Studio in National City for everthing that has to do with the
duplication process. They made this project happen!

Produced by Walt Richards - 2004 ®

To order the CD Mountains of the Heart, go to CD Baby

http://www.cdbaby.com/cd/trailsrails

or visit

iTunes
http://www.apple.com/itunes/

 

 

Walt Richards

Instrumental Expressions

 

Consciously and unconciously, I have been influenced by many musicians throughout my life. They have helped me enjoy the gifts of harmony and rhythm and to realize that playing music leads one onto a never-ending learning curve.

I was recently listening to a "Best of - " Les Paul and Mary Ford and I noticed musical passages that I play - I thought I made them up! I didn't! I heard those when I was very young, years before I started to play guitar as a teenager. I give thanks to all those wonderful people who inspired me.

Music has been my life: playing; arranging; teaching. Certain melodies capture my attention and I have to learn them. Songs that I couldn't vocalize, I would try to arrange instrumentally - letting the guitar, or mandolin, or banjo(!) do the singing.

I love the tunes chosen for this CD. They provide memories, they inspire, they feed my soul.
I hope that some of them may do the same for you.

   --Walt


 

 

 

 

Consciously and unconciously, I have been influenced by many musicians throughout my life. They have helped me enjoy the gifts of harmony and rhythm and to realize that playing music leads one onto a never-ending learning curve.

I was recently listening to a "Best of - " Les Paul and Mary Ford and I noticed musical passages that I play - I thought I made them up! I didn't! I heard those when I was very young, years before I started to play guitar as a teenager. I give thanks to all those wonderful people who inspired me.

Music has been my life: playing; arranging; teaching. Certain melodies capture my attention and I have to learn them. Songs that I couldn't vocalize, I would try to arrange instrumentally - letting the guitar, or mandolin, or banjo(!) do the singing.

I love the tunes chosen for this CD. They provide memories, they inspire, they feed my soul.
I hope that some of them may do the same for you.

   --Walt

 

 

Instrumental Expressions

Walt Richards

1) Johnny Has Gone for a Soldier Traditional 3:29 Banjo
2) Tennessee Waltz Pee Wee King and Redd Stewart - 1948 3:24 Mandolin
3) It's "A" Rag Walt Richards - 2001 2:13 Guitar
4) Doug's Tune Douglas Dillard - 1963 2:00 Banjo

5) Georgia Medley:    

   3:06 Guitar
  • Georgia on My Mind
 Stuart Gorell and Hoagy Carmichael - 1930    
  • Sweet Georgia Brown
 B. Bernie, M. Pinkard and K. Casey - 1925    
6) Celtic Medley:   3:36 Banjo
  • Scotland, the Brave / Roddy McCorley / McPhearson's Farewell
 Traditional    
7) Clinch Mt. Backstep Traditional   Banjo
8) Fisher's Hornpipe Traditional   Mandolin
9) Grandfather's Clock Henry C. Work 2:03 Banjo
10) The Entertainer Scott Joplin 3:28 Guitar
11) The World is Waiting for the Sunrise E. Seitz and E. Lockhart -1919 1:48 Banjo
12) Waterfall Walt Richards - 1975 3:01 Guitar
13) New Camptown Races Frank Wakefield - 1968 3:39 Banjo
14) Bridge Over Troubled Water Paul Simon - 1969 2:54 Guitar
15) Gentleman's Fancy Walt Richards - 1985 2:26 Banjo
16) Dear Old Dixie Earl Scruggs - 1953 1:34 Banjo
17) Spanish Fandango Traditional 1:41 Banjo
18) Bye, Bye Blues F. Hamm, D. Bennett, B. Lown, and C. Gray - 1930 1:35 Banjo

 

Special thanks to:

  • Paula for a "Strong" backup on guitar and mandolin
  • Chris Vitas - one of the best violin players I know, and a genius in the studio, for his contributions on Tennessee Waltz, Fisher's Hornpipe, New Camptown Races and Dear Old Dixie
  • Vickie Cottle and Paula Strong - for being the "angel choir" on Johnny Has Gone For A Soldier
  • Jeff Forrest at Doubletime Studio, El Cajon for recording, mixing and mastering this CD. His patience and encouragement made this project a joy
  • Tom Deaton for the perfect cover art
  • Carl McKellips of WingSpan Studio in National City for duplication as well as support and collaboration on many projects over the years

Produced by Walt Richards - 2004 ®

 

To order the CD Instrumental Expressions, go to CD Baby

http://cdbaby.com/cd/waltrichards

or visit

Apple iTunes


Trails & Rails

On Track

This collection of train songs from Trails and Rails has pulled into the Depot and is "On Track" to become a run-away hit!

There are many song collections which feature the most well-known train songs. While we enjoy singing those old favorites, on this album we wanted to feature songs that aren't heard all the time. There are a few familiar ones, but we hope you'll enjoy hearing some songs or arrangements that might be new for you.

~ ~ Walt & Paula

 

 

On Track

1) Milwaukee Blues

 2:50

2) One More Ride

 2:09

3) Pan American Boogie

2:21

4) The Carriso

 3:12

5) The Phantom Train

 3:19

6) Starlight on the Rails

 2:56

7) Drill Ye Tarriers

 2:24

8) Texas 1947

 2:24

9) Fast Freight

2:38

10) Railroad Canyon

 2:50

11) To Morrow

 1:53

12) Travelin' Man

 2:12

13) Greenville Trestle

 3:07

14) Midnight ChooChoo/
       Waitin' for the Train

 2:54

15) The Tonapah & Tidewater

 2:24
16) Train Blue 2:50
17) Atchison, Topeka and the Santa Fe 2:01
18) Lonesome Deadhead Boxcar 3:35
19) City of New Orleans 4:00
20) Rambling on my Mind 2:06
21) Blue Train 1:56

Total Time 57:59

 

 

Walt Richards: Lead and Harmony Vocals
Guitar / Banjo / Mandolin Leads and Rhythm
Paula Strong: Lead and Harmony Vocals
Rhythm Guitar
Vickie Cottle: Guest Harmony Vocals on: One More Ride;
The Carriso; Fast Freight
Recorded at: Double Time Productions: El Cajon, California
Jeff Forrest, Engineer
Mixed by: Jeff Forrest and Walt Richards
Mastered by: Jeff Forrest
Cover Design: Tom Deaton; San Diego, California
Duplication: Carl McKellips at Wing Span Studios;
National City, California

Songs used by Permission: from respective songwriters when possible;
The Harry Fox Agency; SOCAN.

Produced by Walt Richards 2003 ®

To order the CD On Track, go to CD Baby

http://cdbaby.com/cd/trailsrails2

or visit

Apple iTunes

 

 

Discography

by Trails & Rails

Water Weeds & Ghosts

Ghosts of Tombstone

From Way Out West

Mountains of the Heart

On Track


by Walt Richards

Instrumental Expressions

 

by Bow Willow

Images of the West

Up the Trail from Abilene

Oh, That We Were What We Would Be

 

 

by Soft Touch Banjo Ensemble

Side By Side

Sentimental Journey

 

 

by Mandolin Madness

Moonlight Canyon

 

 

CD's by Trails & Rails as well as by Walt Richards can be purchased
through CD Baby and iTunes.
In addition to entire CD's, individual songs can also be
downloaded from the iTunes store.

CD Baby
www.cdbaby.com

iTunes
http://www.apple.com/itunes/

 

 

 

For all other CDs, contact us at
pstrong484@aol.com

 

 

 

 

 

© Copyright 2004 - 2009 Trails & Rails