Riders in the Sky - Davy Crockett, King of the Wild Frontier

There is nothing more fun in this world than a Riders in the Sky disc. These guys put such delight in the tunes of the Old West that's it's hard to keep your boots from dancing. Ranger Doug, Too Slim, Woody Paul and Joey the Cowpolka King are back, and if you love their infectious, grand good times, you'll love this disc.

"When the legend becomes fact, print the legend." That line was written for the movie "The Man Who Shot Liberty Valance," but it works exceptionally well when one is speaking of Davy Crockett. While most of his life is the stuff of history books dates and times and places when Disney made the Davy Crockett television series, starring Fess Parker as the quintessential Crockett, they spawned a legend which has long become far larger and truer than the facts, no matter how hard historical societies attempt to correct this.

The Riders in the Sky, in their feisty, fun, and frolicsome manner, take on both the legend of Crockett and the truth with these nine ballad songs, from an almost 7-minute long version of the familiar ballad to the song "Farewell," which Fess Parker sang when his Crockett finished. While humor is a main staple of the Riders, they do some danged fine music, and listening to this short-but-sweet tribute is a joy from start to end.

Riders in the Sky probably aren't for everyone. But if you have a nostalgic love of the old Disney series, if you like Davy Crockett, or are you just enjoys some good-time Old West music, this is a great little album. Just for fun or just because, let the Riders swing by your bunkhouse. You'll be mighty glad you did.