Just released is Andy Hedges' debut music album, "City Boys". A folksy collection of songs that cross the turns of two centuries. Included are new songs by Hedges, Andy Wilkinson, and Rod Taylor, obscure cowboy tunes, Celtic songs, Sacred Harp, traditional folk tunes, and songs by Don McLean and Bob Dylan. Producer, Andy Wilkinson writes: "...cowboy music was always like the cowboy: unsuitable for fencing, impossible to corral, unwilling to go any way but it's own. Which pretty well describes the music of Andy Hedges."
Andy Hedges: vocals, acoustic guitar
Kyle Abernathie: harmonium
Cary Banks: piano, bottleneck guitar
Joe Carr: mandolin
Steve Cooper: penny whistle, wooden flute
Sean Frankenhouser: double-bass
Rusty Huddleson: accordion
Kenny Maines: harmony vocals
Brian McRae: wood blocks, electric guitar, harmony vocals, tambourine, congas
Alan Munde: banjo
John Perrin: bodhran
Amanda Shires: fiddle
Rod Taylor: harmony vocals
Andy Wilkinson: harmony vocals
Sacred Harp Shape Note Singers: Joe Taylor, Tom Taylor, Kathy Taylor, and Mary Alice Latimer
1. The Tribe of the Forty and Found
4. Jamie Raeborn's Farewell
5. Mustang Gray
6. Dreams Drive the Brazos
7. Bronco Bill's Lament
8. More Pretty Girls
9. Dust and Horns
10 Ye Objects of Sense/Song of Texas
11. Jody
12. Girl From the North Country
13. Roving Gambler
I have known Andy since he began doing cowboy poetry several years ago. Needless to say I was very excited when he told me about this upcoming release, “City Boys”.
Andy brings the spirit of Texas and the cowboy to life in this new release.
The dreams and desires of “City Boys” are fulfilled in the songs that are included in this CD. From old traditional, seldom heard songs, to songs penned by songwriters Andy Wilkinson, Curly Fletcher, Don McLean, Rod Taylor and Bob Dylan, the listener is taken on the trip of a lifetime. Andy’s own song, “City Boys” tells of the long time desires of “wanna be” cowboys who are smothered within their brick walls, surrounded by concrete while the cowboy lives the life of their dreams in the wide open spaces of the west.
“Jamie Raeborn’s Farewell” tells the story of how many young men had to leave their homes across the seas only to end up astride a horse following a herd across the barren plains of Texas. But these young men brought with them their traditions and music, the basis of cowboy life today.
The sentimental side of the cowboy comes alive in “Dreams Drive the Brazos”, “More Pretty Girls”, “Girl from the North Country” and “Roving Gambler”, while grief and hard times are experienced in “Jody” and “Mustang Gray”.
Other views of a cowboy’s life are heard in the songs “The Tribe of the Forty and Found”, “Wild Buckaroo” and “Dust and Horns”.
Andy will introduce you to the old time Sacred Harp singing with “Ye Objects of Sense” and the adaptation of this hymn in, “Song of Texas”. Sacred Harp singing predates the Civil War in the south. It is a four part, a cappella form of singing that found its way into southern churches. It is a unique form of singing that is kept alive in the south today. Joe Taylor, Tom and Kathy Taylor and Mary Alice Latimer add this special treat to this CD.
From beginning to end you will be anxiously awaiting the next song just to see what is coming next. This is a wonderful CD and would make a great gift for the friends you know who would love to live life in the west and it would also make a great gift for those of us lucky enough to call the west our home. Andy is to be commended for allowing us to become a part of these wonderful songs.
~Linda Kirkpatrick
Brent in Texas
This compilation of music is saturated with folk and cowboy tradition. Along with the content, Andy's skill in performing makes this album a masterpiece. In all essence, it rocks my face off!!
Megan in Texas
Andy Hedges' latest CD was like listening to God's angels singing - beckoning me home.
Kata in Oklahoma
Andy Hedges new cd is one of the better ones I've seen come out in Western Music PERIOD... Let alone in the last few years... I enjoyed it tremendously and I KNOW you will!!! Andy's a rising talent, and is sure to make waves in Western Music for more years to come!!!
Liz and Eric in Ohio
Very well done ANDY!!! Congratulations on your first music album . . . hopefully the first of many! Our favorite song was the original City Boys. We can definately see a future in writing your own songs. Keep up the good work and God bless!
Margo at CowboyPoetry.com
Andy Hedges manages to be both pioneering and traditional in City Boys.
He approaches these eclectic folk tunes with a purity and a venerable
wisdom. His music is straightforward, his voice fresh and confident, and
there is an unassailable integrity and intelligence in the choices and the
arrangements. Some tunes have been around for a hundred years, and some are modern. His interpretations make this collection burst with the excitement of something that's never been done before. Like the people he writes and sings about, Andy Hedges straddles an old world and a new. He is comfortably and deeply seated in the tradition, and at the same time, he soars into the bright future with this remarkable recording. I hope everyone takes the opportunity to hear his music.
__________________________
Copyright © Silvercreek Books and Music All Rights Reserved
