June/July 2009

R.W. Hampton

Oklahoma...Where
The West Remains

Stewart's CD Round-up
by Stewart Fenwick

We'll start this month with a wonderful project from western singer R.W. HAMPTON. "Oklahoma… Where The West Remains" is a wonderful insight into a century of one of the most important states in America's modern history. Over time, Oklahoma has been the western front, for those making their way from the more populated eastern states. It's been an important breeding ground for Country music, being the birthplace of such stars as Reba McEntire, Garth Brooks, Becky Hobbs, Mel McDaniel, Hoyt Axton and Gail Davies. R.W. Hampton isn't a new name on the Oklahoma music scene. He has recorded no less than 11 albums to his credit, including Country Gospel and Christmas offerings. But this is the first album to get a release in the UK (Savannah Music, distributed by Proper). The album runs over an hour, as R.W. tells the state history in songs and narrations. The narrations are delivered in an interesting manner, and the songs are just so refreshing to hear. Many are originals, from the pen of R.W., Edna Mae Holden (who came up with idea for the CD) and Richard E. O'Brien (who arranged and produced the album), but you'll recognise such classics as Jack Guthrie's "Oklahoma Hills" and Cindy Walker's "Dusty Skies". There're tributes in here to Bob Wills too. All the songs are well produced, and the whole project, whether you'll appreciate the history of Oklahoma or just the western music, is a truly enchanting CD.

Gerry's Reviews
by Gerry Ford

Here is a wonderful concept written by Edna Mae Holden, Richard E. O'Brien and R.W. Hampton. Edna Mae is executive producer, had the idea and wrote the narrative, while Richard produced and arranged the project and R.W. narrates, sings and plays guitars. Imagine a movie or TV documentary without the pictures, the orchestra plays the overture as the titles roll, R.W. starts to outline the story and delivers the first song, a narration, followed by the same tune as the "Soliloquy". The songs are then separated by a narration, alternating to the end. The songs are written by Edna Mae and/or Richard, or by and with R.W., apart from the occasional country standard added. "Where the West Still Remains" sums up the story, while "The Journey" tells of the cowboy (our hero) heading west. "Run of the Cherokee Outlet" is about the land grab from the natives, and "Words on Talking Leaves" is the letter complaining about the grab and the mistreatment of the Cherokee. "Keeper of the Plains" tells how it should be, while "A Cowboy I Will Stay" is about cattle drives and the Chisholm. "Wish I'd Stayed in Jail" tells of the difficulty of cowboy life. "101 Ranch Cowboy" tells about the start of rodeo. The next three songs are standards delivered as part of the story. "Dusty Skies" (Cindy Walker) tributes the cowboy and weather, Jack & Woody Guthrie's " Oklahoma Hills" is a perfect fit and the traditional "On Jordan's Stormy Banks" tells of faith. "Oklahoma Towns" is about homesickness, while the Wills tribute is "We've Taken Bob Back to Tulsa," a great western swing song (what else!), and then a tribute to two legendary sons in {Wylie Post and} "Will Rogers' Last Flight" (Tim Spencer and R.W.). "The Everlasting Hills of Oklahoma" (Tim Spencer) tells of the state's beauty and the patriotic "For the Freedom" concludes. The music runs from lush orchestral arrangements, some lovely country backing with steel, fiddle, piano, harmonica, bass and guitars played by the country band, to just acoustic guitar backing, all surrounding R.W.'s great baritone. This is a masterful tribute to Oklahoma where you can truly say the "west remains." The CD was released on April 20th in the U.K. by Proper Music Distribution.

There are 2 web sites:
www.wherethewestremains.com and
www.rwhampton.com

(total time 69 mins).

Country Music & Dance In Scotland (Ireland)