Dom Flemons Presents Black Cowboys

Here is one of the most important CD collections to be issued in years.  It is the first of its kind and, hopefully, not the last.  A compendium of music and words from and about the legendary black cowboys of our American Southwest and South.

Enter “The American Songster” Dom Flemons, an award-winning musician/historian and founder of the modern preservationist trio the Carolina Chocolate Drops.  Few people are in a better position (or have greater personal motivation) to have taken on this research and performance project.  Heretofore under-publicized stories of the origins of songs and interweavings of  many cowboy cultures together.  So momentous is this release that we have decided to continue exploring it in this Western Way issue as the subject for the Western World Tour column.  In this collection you'll experience Flemons' masterful rendering of Wally McRae's glorious work “Ol' Proc,” an amazing performance on “Charmin' Betsy,” recreating the sound of Henry 'Ragtime Texas' Thomas on vocal, banjo and quills (panpipes).  And the stories and discoveries go on.  The forty-page booklet included is “worth the price of admission,” as the saying goes.  Highly recommended.  Eighteen tracks.

CD:  (available through Smithsonian Folklore Recordings Mail Order, Washington, DC 20560-0520 or call 1-888-FOLKWAYS (orders only)

 - by Rick Huff