Chris Guenther – American Outlaw Vol. 1, has applied generous shakes from the Morricone dispenser to flavor this Big West-style collection. Fans of that effect should savor it.
The pleasant-voiced Washingtonian plays a staggering array of stringed and other instruments, and his strong arrangements and musicianship elevate this group of his originals to an upper tier. The CD’s two instrumentals are particularly Spaghetti Westernesque (“The Shootist” and Five Joaquins”). Other picks include “Trail Rage” (about John Wesley Hardin), “Sundance” (about the other ‘Kid’), “Dime Novel Hero” (Wild Bill’s demise which was doubtlessly covered in them), “Goodnight From The Goodnight Loving Trail” (featuring fiddler Kate McManus) and “Atcheson Topeka & Santa Fe” (nope, different song).
Only infrequently do we encounter the classic Big West sound these days in releases, but you will notice Chris Guenther has dubbed this “Volume One.” So it seems more is on the way! Ten tracks, highly recommended.
CD: $18 ppd through chrisguenthermusic.com or from Blackboard Records, PO Box 38, Salkum, WA 98582.
– by Rick Huff
Chris Guenther Music FACEBOOK
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