Sons of the Golden West

Sons of the Golden West Artist: The Flying Burrito Brothers
Label: Arista
Category: Music


Average customer rating: 4.5 out of 5 stars
Media: Audio CD
Number Of Discs: 1


UPC: 078221406529
EAN: 0078221406529
ASIN: B00000IPY7


Release Date: 1999-05-18

Sons of the Golden West


Related Categories:

Alt-Country & Americana Alt-Country & Americana
Categories | Country | Styles | Music
General General
Categories | Rock | Styles | Music
Country Rock Country Rock
Categories | Rock | Styles | Music
Pop Rock Pop Rock
Categories | Pop | Styles | Music

Tracks:

  1. Sons Of The Golden West
  2. Honky Tonkin
  3. Area 51
  4. Mama's Hungry Eyes
  5. Pioneer Zephyr Train
  6. When I Was A Cowboy
  7. Down At The Palomino
  8. Genuine Healer
  9. Pull This
  10. Anyone Else But You
  11. Honky Tonk Blues
  12. Up On Sycamore
  13. Locked Away
  14. Ode To Gram

Similar Items:

  1. Eye of a Hurricane
  2. California Jukebox
  3. Flying Again/Airborne

Amazon.com

Let's get this out of the way right off the bat: this band should <I>not</I> be called the Flying Burrito Brothers. On one hand, the familiar moniker might attract more attention, but in doing so they are holding themselves up to an awfully high standard set by founders Gram Parsons and Chris Hillman. And clearly, leader John Beland and crew are self-conscious about it themselves, with endless rationalizations about Beland's 17-year tenure (which began long after either of the founders were around) and about carrying on a 30-year tradition and so on. This uneasiness even creeps into the songwriting, most notably on the closing "Ode to Gram," which attacks head on the notion of Gram-worshippers calling them out on all of this. The unfortunate part of all of this is that <I>Sons</I> is an excellently played and very often engaging country-rock collection with room for reflective ballads, charged-up boot-scooters, and loping instrumental shuffles. And esteemed guests like singers Merle Haggard (who duets marvelously on his own "Mama's Hungry Eyes"), Alison Krauss, Oak Ridge Boys, and Delbert McClinton and pickers Ricky Skaggs and Sam Bush certainly don't hurt. Yet, where they are lacking the most--the songwriting--was of course Gram Parsons's ultimate strength. Therefore, <I>Sons</I> is a pretty good John Beland Band record, but only a mediocre FBB album. <I>--Marc Greilsamer</I>

Customer Reviews:

1 out of 5 stars A dissenting review.......2001-10-02

As a big fan of the Beland/Guilbeau era Burritos, I had high hopes that John Beland could lead this group after Gib Guilbeau's departure. Yes, Beland does contribute a few good tunes (the title track, Polomino, and Sycamore) but this CD has really failed to grow on me. The musicianship is great, as expected, but the album as a whole lacks that certain something special. Too much of it sounds like today's forgettable mainstream country radio. Alison Krauss' guest appearance, especially, was squandered on a cover of a mediocre song. For a real 90's Burritos classic, skip this one and try "Eye of the Hurricane."

4 out of 5 stars The Burritos Fly Again.......2001-01-14

Most of the previous reviewers seem to agree that this is an excellent album; it seems that the bone of contention here is whether or not John Beland and the current lineup should rightfully use the Burrito name. I have to disagree with Mr. Greilsamer, and express my support for John Beland. Although the current lineup contains no "original" members, this album (and several of its predecessors) have confirmed that the Flying Burrito Brothers tradition is being carried on in an admirable manner. Gram Parsons left the group before his death, but did not disband it; Chris Hillman, who has been critical of the later Burritos lineups, toured extensively with a lineup of non-original bandmates before he also left the band. In the ensuing years, original member Sneaky Pete revived the band with various other members (whose ranks sometimes included original member Chris Ethridge), and produced some superb music. In collaboration with such notable figures as Gene Parsons and Gib Guilbeau, the Burritos thrived. John Beland's entry into the band marked another major turning point, and the best thing to happen to the Burritos in many years. With superb credentials as guitarist, vocalist, and composer, John provided the band with some of their best material ever, and continues to do so. In my opinion, John long ago earned the right to use the name, and I am grateful to him for keeping the tradition going.

As for the album itself, it is a major work in its genre. Both material and performances are outstanding, and the caliber of the guest artists gives a clue to the quality of the contents, as well as an affirmation of the esteem in which the Flying Burrito Brothers are held in the artistic community. It is not an easy task to select a favorite cut, as the quality is consistent throughout. For a thouroughly enjoyable listening experience, give this album a try - you'll like it. Many thanks to John and the band for giving us another excellent album. Long live the Flying Burrito Brothers!

5 out of 5 stars Great Music- Let's call it what it is.......2000-03-08

This is some truly great music. But it should not be called the Flying Burrito Brothers. The Flying Again album from 1975 should not have been called the Flying Burrito Brothers. It's well documented that following Gram's death and the release of a retrospective album, interest in the Burritos was up and former manager Tickner took some inquiries about booking the band. Since there was no FBB at the time (this was 1974 or 5) he called Gene Parsons(who had never been in the Flying Burrito Brothers) and told him that a band called FBB would have some work. Gene got together with Joel Scott Hill and Gib Guilbeau (neither of whom had been in the band before) along with Pete Kleinow and Chris Etheridge (who had both been originals). However, Etheridge had only been on one album, and while Sneeky's steel was a big part of the FBB sound, it was only one part. That band recorded an album called Flying AGain, which is good but should not be the FBB. The band slowly evolved with a revolving door to finally get to the current lineup. THIS is great music! John Beland is one of my favorite musicians of all time. By calling this band the FBB he's only taking credit away from himself. John, if you ever read this, understand that I hold you in the highest regard. Your music has meant so much to me- it's helped me through some difficult times in my life. I think the world of you but please start calling your band John Beland or perhaps something else.

5 out of 5 stars Perhaps, the best Burrito Album ever.......1999-06-13

In a world with so much worthless music, the Burritos are not just a breath of fresh air. They are life support! Although this may be blasphamy to some, John Beland's version of the band are the real Burritos to me. On Sons of the Golden West, Beland leads the group through a solid collection of very well produced songs. (With those wonderful rough edges, of course) The album's content is also quite varied. On the disc, you will find honky tonk blues, traditional country, cowboy music, fast and slow tunes, and a hint of western swing. Some pretty cool gusets are also featured on the disc like: Merle, Alison Kraus, & Delbert McClinton. If you are looking for some "real music" to deliver you from all the "top 40" country stations, this is it !

5 out of 5 stars CARRYING ON THE TRADITION.......1999-05-25

Let's get this out of the way first - Sure, this isn't the late Gram Parsons or the legendary Chris Hillman. And yes, Sneeky decided to call it quits last year, as did Gib Guilbeau. But what John Beland and Larry Patton have done on "Sons of the Golden West" is put together a Flying Burrito Brothers album. And boy what an album! Beland, Patton, drummer Gary Kubal and steel guitarist Wayne Bridge not only demonstrated their respect and affection for the grand past of LA Country Rock - but have brought it into the present.

Witness Patton's duet with Merle Haggard on THE poignant "Mama's Hungry Eyes" (I'd still like to hear Beland have go at "White Line Fever") or his rough and ready vocals on "Honky Tonk Blues". Patton's roadhouse vocal style blends in well with Beland's own fine country rock voice.

And Beland? His songs, from the title track, up through his tribute to old partner Rick Nelson on "Anybody Else But You", "Up On Sycamore" - and the nostalgic "Down At The Palomino" (listen to the "Sin City" opener!) with his twelve-string jangling are superb - and very much in the tradition of the instrumental prowess of the late Clarence White and the songwriting of Gram. About the only tune that seems to fail is the reggaeish "Locked Away" a Keith Richards song(try that on "Down In The Churchyard", guys).

Music Album:

  1. Life Goes On ~ Donell Jones
  2. Something About You Girl ~ Tahiti 80
  3. Crossing the Rubicon ~ Armageddon
  4. Blue Moons & Laughing Guitars ~ Bill Nelson
  5. Watkins Bold as Love ~ Geraint Watkins
  6. Swamp Rock 'N' Roller ~ Rod Bernard
  7. Overgrown Eden ~ Inme
  8. Last Year's Junk ~ White Mud Free Way
  9. Rainy Day Assembly ~ Tess Wiley
  10. Instant Live: The State Theater - Portland, ME 3/19/04 ~ George Clinton & Parliament-Funkadelic

Music Album

Music Album

Music

Belly Dances From the Middle East V.2 ~ Various Artists

You Can Depend on Me ~ Ruby Braff

Personal Choice ~ Marian McPartland Trio

Legends ~ Billie Holiday

Dracula 2000 ~ Original Soundtrack

Creole People ~ Lynn August

Hooked Light Rays ~ Somma One

Carl Michel Group (+) ~ The Carl Michel Group

Children's Songs

Okarina Ettiude V.4: Church ~ Sojiro