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   Reviews on RNDNMUP CD


Billings cowboy singer TJ Casey has teamed up with popular Canadian cowpoke picker and singer Jim Reader on a corral-full of original tunes. The new album, named after a Montana license plate, pays tribute to the spirit of those who shaped the West and their modern-day counterparts who continue to do so on North America’s ranges and ranches.

Each musician has a couple albums to his credit, and together they crank out some nice campfire singing on 12 original tunes, mining an Americana vein of driving cattle many miles, getting saddle sore, fighting the elements, and celebrating the day’s honest work.

The CD starts with some out-on-the-range whistlin’ from Reader on the range-ridin’ “Get them Cattle ‘Cross.” Casey’s “The Wind” features nice dueting yodels, reminiscent of the Sons of the Pioneers, as well as in the next piece, “King Up in My Saddle,” with its “yodelay-a-a-ays.”

Reader’s soft and melodic waltz, “Gone Are the Days,” has nice mandolin and harmonica, as well as a pretty chord progression on the chorus, and Casey’s toe-tappin’ jitterbugger, “Swingin’ My Way Home to You,” has hot guitar licks from producer Bruce Rawling.

The fellows pair up on the mournful traditional nugget, “Oh Shenandoah,” with their wide vibratos matching on this cool and unusual vocal arrangement.

Casey’s “The Cowboy Hall of Fame” recounts the exploits of Montana world champion saddle-bronc rider Dan Mortensen.

Casey’s website says he was “mentored by old cowboys and old horses,” and Reader calls himself a “geetar picker, horse-nut and cow-tolerater.” Together they let that authenticity shine through.

Visit www.tjcasey.net and www.jimreader.com.

– Mariss McTucker - Lively Times

I'm getting real used to reviewing really really good original material that's been comin' my way, and this first-time project with old freind TJ Casey (a real cowboy from Montana) and Jim Reader (a real cowboy in Canada). Canada is where all this recording also took place at Mountain Valley Studio on location in Taber, Alberta, Canada. Woweee wheee this is the real deal. Both these cowboys wrote and sing these originals. Well nearly all, heck dang-nabit, what would a western CD be without a little Shenandoah in it. It's also a combination of incredibly good vocalists, good guitarists, and certainly good yodelers. The team work on this project is obviously a labor of love and fun, because both of these cowboys know exactly the sound they are looking for, and the end result is one fine treat for those of us who still 'care' about the cowboy, the west, the heritage, the tradition, the hitroty, the memories, the hand-me-downs, and certainly, the music and songs. Without a doubt the best cowboy duo I've heard this year. Keep it up cowboys, what would America be, without you and your talented singing, writing, composing, and recording. We'd be one less memory, that's where we'd be. These two cow-pokes are still living their dream on the ranch, the open range, the 'west'. Absolutely great recording. This one belongs in the collections of every single fan of great western and cowboy music. Don't worry TJ this is going to the Rural Roots Music Commission for 'best western'. They'll no doubt put the stops on that. Hope you can find a way back to pick up the award, cause I'm pretty sure that's going to happen.

Bob Everhart - National Traditional Country Music Assn, Inc - Tradition Magazine
    

       
That CD name is actually pronounced “roundin’ ‘em up” for those who don’t speak License Plate. First of all, I have to admit I’m pretty much an unabashed Jim Reader fan. By and large this Canadian Cowboy singer/songwriter’s thoughtful quirky creations represent some of the most consistently fresh material found anywhere. And this CD also showcases some of the finest material Montana’s TJ Casey has yet produced, so for fans of both performers this one has to be a treat.
Four of the collaborative efforts on the album are among the strongest tracks. “Get
Them Cattle ‘Cross” about a trail boss who gives his all, “King Up In My Saddle,” “Grubline” and a new set closer “Adios My Compadres” are winners by any criteria you’d care to use. Individual creations that shine include Casey’s “Swingin’ My Way Home To You” and Reader’s “Gone Are The Days,” a song that made me actually shout out loud “hot D!!! what a song!!!” Twelve tracks total, including new covers

of Reader’s “We Got Us A Trail Drive” and “The Frontier.” Give these ropers a spin! CD: $13.99 plus $2.75 s/h through www.tjcasey.net or try TJ Casey, Cowboy Enterprises, Inc., PO Box 31676, Billings, MT 59107.

Rick Huff - Host/Co-Producer - The Best of the West Revue

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