This is not a new album. In fact, it was released back in 1991. We admit to being remiss in not reviewing it long before now. But, this is the best collection of cowboy Christmas music that we've ever heard. Michael Martin Murphey has assembled an ensemble cast of top-quality performers to deliver a poignant Christmas message.
To open, Murphey sings "I heard The Bells On Christmas Day," while cowboy poet Waddie Mitchell recites a Bruce Kiskaddon poem. Next, Murphey sings "Jolly Old St. Nicholas," as background for Waddie Mitchell's recitation of his own poem "The Christmas Letter."
The third selection is a portion of a Kiskaddon poem, recited by Mitchell, that leads us into an absolutely beautiful song "Christmas On The Line," sung and co-written by Murphey. There's a real cowboy melody and rhythm to this fine tune.
Next up are two more traditional offerings, "Sleigh Ride," and "Jingle Bells," sung by Murphey and Suzie Bogguss. These are followed by "The Christmas Trail," a Badger Clark poem set to music by Don Edwards and performed by Edwards and Murphey.
One of the most fun songs is "Merry Texas Christmas You All," one Murphey learned off of an old Ernest Tubb album. You'll feel like two-steppin' to this one. Then there is "Ridin Home On Christmas Eve," a Doug Green (Riders in the Sky) original. Murphey starts this one out and is joined by Doug and the Riders as it develops. Beautiful.
"Corn, Water and Wood," written by Wendy Waldman and Carol Elliott is a moving southwest-style song, characteristic of the Taos, N.M., area, where Murphey makes his home. This one is lovely music.
All of that is just the front half of the album. In the second section we have the catchy "Cowboy Christmas Ball," a polka medley comprised of "Good King Wenceslas," "Under The Double Eagle," "Redwing," and "Golden Slippers." Following is "Christmas Cowboy Style," and "The Santa Claus Schottische," another medley of familiar tunes. There is also a two-step medley, a waltz medley and much more. Murphey is joined on these songs by Bogguss, Edwards, Riders in the Sky, and the superb accordion accompaniment of Joey Miskulin, the "cow-polka king."
You can't just listen to this album and put it away. The music is exceptional, and you'll eagerly listen to it again and again. For our money, this album is as good as any album we've ever heard, whether it has to do with cowboys, Christmas, or anything else. Do yourself a big favor and find this album.

-Cowboy Magazine Review - Fall 1996

SONGS: I Heard The Bells On Christmas Day - Old Time... / Jolly Old St. Nicholas - The Christmas Letter / The Creak Of The Leather / Christmas On The Line (The Line Rider's Christmas) / Sleigh Ride - Jingle Bells / The Christmas Trail / Merry Texas Christmas You All! / Ridin' Home On Christmas Eve / Corn, Water And Wood / The Cowboy Christmas Ball / Polka Medley: Good King Wenceslas - Under The... / Christmas Cowboy Style / The Santa Claus Schottische: Up On The House... / Two-Step 'Round The Christmas Tree / Two Step Medley: Cotton-Eyed Joe - Deck The... / Log Cabin Home In The Sky / Waltz Medley: O Christmas Tree - Pearls In The Snow - Good Night Ladies - Auld Lang Syne - The Christmas...

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