Cowboy Music

    Tom Perlman has a versatile wide-ranging baritone voice that delivers quality melody.  On his latest collection, we get a larger variety of music than Tom has recorded before.  "Jina's Song" is a lovely waltz tribute to Tom's wife.  Another Perlman original is "Sundown in Cowtown," a lighthearted western swing tune that makes you long for a cowboy dance.  "My Window Faces the South" is another dance tune, an old time-tested two stepper.
    "A Cowboy's Life" is a traditional cowboy song that Perlman renders in an enjoyable fresh arrangement.  K. Farrell's "Sonora's Death Row" is a great story ballad about the dangers of being a drunken cowboy.  Perlman also does a masterful job on Tex Owen's  classic "Cattle Call."  There's no question Tom can yodel with the best of them.  Another good song is "Song of the Leathers" a Badger Clark poem set to a waltz tune by Mark Ross.
    The most beautiful track is "La Llorona" a traditional lilting ballad sung excellently in Spanish.  Perlman sings it as stirringly as it's ever been done.  You'll play this one again and again.  It's worth buying this album just for this incredible song.
    The two cuts that don't seem to fit are Perlman's "The Oldtimer" which might have a little to much country music influence in it, and John Lowell's "Wild Jack" also with more beat than melody.
    All in all, Perlman albums are good works, and they're sure worth the money.  Add Tom Perlman to your cowboy music collection.