Gunfighter Ballads And Trail Songs

Not gonna be a repeat listen for me, but damn this was some good cowboy drama

Solid outlaw rock 4*

Ultra classic cowboy country. An absolute must listen!

I don’t know if I could defend it, but I enjoyed the album plenty.

Eh paid is the only song I liked

Pleasant to listen to, and the storytelling is good. There are no songs I particularly want to come back to, however.

(goes to reviews expecting many Fallout references) Seriously, his voice is incredible and very well suited for this type of storytelling album. I really enjoyed listening to this, which is a very, very rare statement for me with country albums not by Johnny Cash

Makes you feel like a real cowboy

Peak country. Starting your album with 'Big Iron' and then ending it with 'El Paso' is like a cheat code for a good time. Also have to mention 'The Master's Call' which gives me chills, a masterclass in storytelling. Marty's voice is perfect for it all too. Banger.

Need to catch that bounty fr

That was quite a lot of gunslinger ballads. I started very interested and loved the stories but after awhile I felt like there was no way that many characters had 20 notches on their guns. The storytelling was still the most interesting part. The music itself wasn't bad per se but after a few songs it sounded a bit repetitive. The western music genre has had a resurgence of popularity due to its use in popular media, and that's a fine place for it, but I don't think I would sit and listen to this album again.

2.5⭐ The thing I love about country music is how often the songs are just fun stories about chasing baddies and riding cool horses. Sometimes the songs are about shooting women though so ya know... Not my thing usually, but I can't deny that I enjoyed listening.

"Big Iron", "They're Hanging Me Tonight", and "Cool Water" are solid tracks. Marty Robbins has an accomplished singing voice, and a dated but still cool western film soundtrack balladeer style. 3.3 stars rounded down.

I've never really understood why people go so crazy for this album over others of a similar sound that were made at the time (although while writing this I'm realising this probably came first lmao), but still this is definitely a fantastic album that just perfectly paints pictures of desolate, hard-done towns where so little is there that every heartbreak and pain feels like your whole world. Fuck fallout fans are annoying though.

Super not my thing. I find westerns to be painfully trite and the music here is equally repetitive. It’s someone’s thing, but it’s not mine.

The most Ronseal album title of all time. Rating: 3/5 Playlist track: Big Iron Date listened: 16/06/24

As someone who dislikes 90% of the country music he hears, I was not excited to get this album. It was much better than expected, most of the lyrics were fun and told old western stories. It's exactly the title of the album. Early Johnny Cash vibes.

Now Gunfighter Ballads And Trail Songs is how you do country music in the 50s. As you can guess from that statement, this album does what it wants to do as well as it can. The main thing that stuck out to me was the lyrics which just show that Marty Robbins is quite the storyteller with his songs telling stories in some pretty interesting ways. The music is alright albeit nothing special. It can sound good sometimes but other times, it can get pretty forgettable. But even then its not exactly what i would think of as the main selling point of this album. Its the stories that it tells that are and this album does those well. Best Song: Big Iron Worst Song: Cool Water

I've never really been much of a Westerns (apart from Red Dead Redemption) guy, so I don't have a lot of context for the lyrics on here. Nothing to complain about here though really, some of the songs were a bit samey, but all very pleasant to listen to. Production is good, it sounded really clear coming through my Pip-Boy...anyone got any spare Rad-ex?

its high noon

Listening to this album is like expecting a serial killer to perform their craft... Enjoyable listen, more for way way background music.

Delightful and nostalgic. Living in the west - and a frequent visitor to El Paso - I’m almost obligated to give this a high rating. I almost went for 5 stars, but hesitated because some of the songs started to sound pretty similar…it’s on the edge, though. Favorite tracks: Big Iron, Cool Water, Billy The Kid, El Paso

Cowboy songs

Es música bien yankee de recitado y banjo. No es mala, pero es monótona y aburrida, no puedo agregar de esto a la playlist.

big iron

Bumping this from a 3 to a 4 👌🏻

The really old stuff can be hard to rate, and the really old country stuff even more so. No one calls it this, but these old Western albums are basically just early concept albums. Maybe it isn't one story throughout, but this is all just historical storytelling related to the outlaws of the wild west (Marty was born in 1925, it definitely wasn't still super "Wild West" at that point). Here's the thing, this is actually really enjoyable. He's got a really nice voice, the vibes are solid, it's very decent. I'm not super into outlaw music overall, but I can get behind the concept when the overall sound is good. Everyone freaks out about Johnny Cash (and don't get me wrong, he's great), but this is at least as good as the two Johnny Cash prison albums on this list. Marty seems to have had some really shitty politics in his life, but it doesn't come through here so I'll give him a pass. This is just pure Americana, and maybe I'm overhyping it but I think it's good. Side note, but it's pretty hilarious that his real passion was racecar driving, and he used his singing wealth to become a NASCAR driver. Favorite song: El Paso Other: Big Iron, They're Hanging Me Tonight, Cool Water, Utah Carol, The Strawberry Roan, The Master's Call, The Hanging Tree, Saddle Tramp 6/10/24

Badman cowboy tunes from rightwing jutcase who inspired Johnny cash and other basically cool guys. Really enjoyed it, made me feel strong, powerful, male and edgey. Who could want any more?

A true storyteller. Made me pine for lazy summer days, reading Louis Lamour or watching the Lone Ranger. I’m hungry for some Tex-Mex.

Finally, a country album I like! Genuinely really enjoyed this one, great storytelling on the tracks, if the instrumentals did get a *bit* samey at times. Fav tracks: Big Iron, The Hanging Tree, El Paso

A Lot of the same but I kinda enjoyed it

Enjoyable, i love old music and i was happy bc i felt like i was listening to elvis a lot of the time but if you took a shot for every time he mentioned killing someone you’d be wasted. I suppose it fits the name of the album though

decent 3. it was a fun album but many of the songs were very similar to each other. i really liked the storytelling in some of these songs tho and just the whole vibe made me really feel like i had the big iron on me hip 1. El Paso 2. In The Valley 3. A Hundred And Sixty Acres

yee-haw

Would never have found or listened to it on its own. Production is great for the time period. El Paso is timeless.

6/7/24 wasn’t expecting to enjoy this but not bad. good background noise. starts off with the classic “big iron on his hip.” most of these albums so far have been “oh so that’s where this song is from.” pretty neat 4/10

Lots of stories of lonesome men, grief and a certain degree of idiocy. Not a whole lot of musical variety.

I enjoyed it. Nicely recorded and a bit different from other stuff on the list.

This album specifically made me go back and boot up fallout new Vegas

can’t believe this dude’s whole shtick is being a straight orville peck (I thought I’d hate this album but it actually ruled)

Suspected I liked outlaw country but I didn’t expect to like it this much!

yeah this rule. fun to imagine being a cowboy while you listen. shout out to dj for mentioning big iron in an earlier review!

A bit of a fun album to listen to. Not something I'd want in high rotation but good to reminisce about my gunslinger days. It's hard to pick a favourite they all have their little charms.

Oh cool - I previously had Johnny Cash's "American IV: The Man Comes Around" on this project, and "Big Iron" was one of my fave tracks from it - it's great to head where that came from! I enjoyed this - definitely prefer this style of country to the pop country nonsense the genre evolved into. All of these tracks would drop nicely into the soundtrack of a Coen brothers movie. Fave tracks - as well as "Big Iron", also dug "Cool Water", "The Strawberry Roan" and "Saddle Tramp"

Fun stuff

Love this album

Have to be in the mood but its really good

Not bad but definitely need to be in the mood

absolutely fantastic. 160 acres is a new fav.

6/10 I was a young man when i voted on this albummmm...it was a predictable novelty but not without its charmmmm...now I ride the planes aloooooone 5-31-2024

I don’t have the words to describe how this record makes feel other than familiar and comforting. I love it. Five stars!!

Nice one

Wasn’t in the mood for this and never understood the obsession with cowboys. That said, it wasn’t grating or hard to just let it be background noise.

Hell ye

This is the guy Pete Townshend wrote about when he wrote “God Speaks, of Marty Robbin’s”? Huh ok. Gotta look into that more…kinda looks like him, too… I can appreciate this as a piece of history, a time capsule when the USA was obsessed with western this and cowboy that. TV shows like “Gunsmoke,” “Wagon Train,” and “Bonanza” were massive, practically dominating American television. This album, I assume, did incredibly well, as it fit into that trend of American popular culture. So if this is on this list purely for its impact, and to give Marty Robbins a place in history, I am more than ok with that. This album is pure Americana, as we see it today. Romanticized stories of the old west, tales of adventure, love and loss, and gunfights. This is what you’d expect from an album with this cover and name. The music? Well that’s also what you’d expect, except that it’s actually…good. For what it is, anyway. I’m not claiming this to be the best ever, but as a country western album, it’s a sterling example. Well produced, with interesting stories and a good backing band. But what shines the most is Robbins’s voice. He plays the part of lonesome cowboy so, so well. He fits into the archetype perfectly and with little effort. It feels like he’s always been this guy and will keep on being this guy, even if he didn’t live in the old west. It’s easy to admire the tone and style established here. Everything about the production backs up that tone and style. It’s a marvel to listen to. As a whole, I liked this a surprising amount, especially given what I’d see other people rate this album when browsing other people’s pages. I assumed I’d be giving it two stars but I honestly have to give it three for its place in history, its production, Robbins’s performance (both musically and as a character), and because it’s an excellent example of its genre. And stuff like this probably inspired “Rocky Raccoon,” so that’s cool. Standout tracks: Big Iron, El Paso, The Master’s Call, Running Gun

The most accurate title in record history. Yee haw!

Mmm, there are definitely some gems, but overall all the songs sound kinda similar and at some point it felt like I was listening to the same song over and over again…

not my style of music

Before starting this list I would’ve never thought to enjoy country this much! Great way to find out, excited for more!

An all time classic. I wish my Dad was still around to know how much I have grown to appreciate this.

This is some killer old school country. Big Iron and El Paso are classics, but the album is good all the way through. Very enjoyable.

This cowboy novelty record has one good/maybe great song in “El Paso”, surrounded by infantile fantasy.

You don't hear enough "W" these days. El Paso I know, which drifts into The Wild Rover in my head if you let it. Highly enjoyable, with hints of earlier Elvis, although it can sound like a Mexican restaurant at times.

4.5/5. My best friend who grew up in a small rural town loves this album. I’m inclined to say I love it too, almost as much as I love her.

Eh

Biggest Iron only hits 4 sadly

Good stuff!!!

I couldn't ask for a single aspect of this album to be changed. Not to mention the album cover! This is prime pre-mustache Marty at his peak-- with 2 cuts of the great El Paso for good measure. That track has long been an obsession and the rest of this album does not disappoint. Not only are the arrangements and production smooth as a gallopin' mare, but each track is narratively cinematic in a way that just takes you there. Marty Robbins forever. Anyone shortin this good ol' gunslinger a star is as wild as the west Texas wind.

Oh so good. This dude's voice is so warm, and his readings of these songs is just excellent. The music is deceptively morose despite the seemingly happy singing cowboy overtones. And the tales are mostly DARK AF. I've already ordered the vinyl and can't wait to hear this over and over. Four stars.

I love old western music like this. My family used to go out west on trips and my dad would always play music like this (only Big Iron from this album) so this one has some extra nostalgia built in for me to push it up to a low 5. Rating: 4.6

Big Iron, good story musical pace was nice.

"Man, I'm gonna hate this." I thought when this album was recommended to me. But when I listened to "Big Iron", a song I was familiar with, I knew I was about to listen to a bunch of fine hits. The songwriting on this album is fantastic. It's definitely one of the best 50s albums. Step aside, Sinatra! Marty Robbins gets my approval. 5 stars for this memorable classic.

This took me by surprise a now I’m completely in love with it. I think I’ve listened to the whole album 6 times today already. Even though I’ve never listened to it before it brings back so much nostalgia in me I want to cry. When I look back to my childhood, one of the happiest memories was definitely watching Westerns with my dad every Sunday at noon, right after coming back home from church. The way each song on the album tells a different western story takes me back to those times. I also enjoy the musical layer. Marty has a beautiful clear deep voice and he uses it perfectly to underline the drama in each song. The voice is obviously the most prominent instrument here, but it’s very well supported by the crooning male backing vocals. I’d have never picked it up if it wasn’t for this challenge!

Oh yeah babyyyyy. I knew I was gonna like this one. Look at that album cover! And a guy named Marty. That’s awesome

Pretty darned good!

Classic Country album

Howdy y'all! (I'm sorry, I had to.) If there's one thing that you can do to feel like a badass cowboy, it's busting out some Red Dead Redemption 2 with Marty Robbins playing in the background. Unfortunately, I don't own RDR2, so I guess I'll just stick with the Marty Robbins. Gunfighter Ballads and Trail Songs is an absolute classic of an album. It's just a nice collection of, as the name suggests, gunfighter ballads and trail songs. The songs are all quite similar to each other, but I choose to look at this album less as a repetitive collection of similar songs and more as an early concept album pertaining to cowboy life. If you envision the cowboy singing this with a guitar, then the album feels very atmospheric and almost like a journey of sorts. The singing, by the way, is great. The tone of the singing is just perfect for this kind of music and the multiple layers of the singing aids in making the sound as good as it is. The instrumental sound also fits the vibe perfectly. The writing and storytelling is quite good. Of course, the album's opener "Big Iron" is the biggest highlight for me, but the other songs are also of a similar level of quality. Overall, this album is great and serves its purpose extremely well. High 4/5.

I'm happy to believe this is as good as the genre gets, but unfortunatly it's not a genre that particularly excites me. It's fine, but I can't imagine I'm going to want to listen to it again.

Classic!

3.5

It is a hopelessly dated sound but I found it a very nice listen from start to finish.

Great album to enjoy while roaming around the Mojave Wasteland

Big Iron !!!

Dang, that VOICE. So rich and smooth. And Grady Martin on lead guitar plays such a beautiful counterpoint that belies the simplicity of the arrangement from the rhythm and bass. Elements of classical guitar and maybe even fado? Big Iron is such a perfect opener. Although I had heard El Paso before, I didn't know anything about Robbins before today. I was full of skeptism when this popped up, I think I actually laughed outloud when I saw the cover. Big Iron immediately made me sit up, pay attention, and reconsider.

Sounds like early Sun-era Elvis. Robbins’ singing is impassioned and delicately controlled, with subtle backing vocals that add an eerie texture to these tales of western murder and romance. Big Iron and El Paso are definitely the standouts, but overall it’s an enjoyable listen front to back. Most of the songs exhibit a simple beauty with strong vocals mixed with minimalist guitar and percussion. I know this was influential for outlaw country, but I can also see how indie bands like Pixies could have cribbed from Robbins.

Literally impossible to not love. Basically every song is a banger and is rivaled only by Johnny Horton for this style of western music. Not much else to say it’s just 40 minutes of pure joy.

thank god i wasn’t consuming music in 1959

I love this. We thank you for helping make cash, Nelson and the other highwaymen possible!

got a big iron on my hips

Big Iron Billy The Kid El Paso

Big Iron and El Paso are great but tbh, I got a little bored about halfway through. Not bad though!!

Darn good rootin’ tootin’ cowboy music!

Pretty cool

Loved this. Reminds me of something my mom would have listened to and can see myself coming back to this.

Is there poetic license at work here, or did Marty Robbins actually kill all these men he sings about?

I love a song that tells a story, and that's this whole album. Makes me think of my grandpa and the music he would listen to and the westerns he would watch.

3/5. It's like Country music yet definitely has 50's ballads throughout. It's a solid collection of songs, not sure all of them work for me though. Don't get me wrong, Marty has a wonderful and beautiful voice but the same rhythm and style of singing is exactly the same through at least 5 different songs. The songs are heroic and sad but I've heard better country outlaw albums and songs. I respect the vibe of the album but definitely not perfect. Best Song: Big Iron, They're Hanging Me Tonight, El Paso

Shouldn’t like it as much as I do

I don’t like country music, but this one took me by surprised, good story telling

Super cheesy. Gorgeous recordings. What a voice. This is one of those, "yeah, but it just makes me smile" albums.

It's a certified cowboy bean eating banger.

I liked a few songs individually, but listening to the entire album in one go is a bit much. A lot of the songs sound the same with different words.

Elvis style voice with Johnny Cash style lyrics, this went hard. I recently got back to playing Fallout 3 and these tracks were grade A wasteland music (3.5/5)

Ensformigt

Its the year of yeehaw so this hit well

I feel like every song on this album would kill at a campfire.

As soon as I listened the kind of music in this album, I was like "Oh, let's see which is the song I know from a movie or whatever". That moment never came.

El Paso is a good track

Good stuff.

classic cowboy tunes

Cowboy cuddles be still my heart. This hits that sweet spot nostalgia of a 50s version of Western that existed in the American imagination. Confection.

It occurred to me while I was listening to this that this type of music goes against my normal preferences by virtue of being singing-heavy and music-light. However, I love this type of thing. I could listen to this all day. I'm not sure I'll keep this album on my phone since there are other albums from this era that I like more, but this was a very strong 4. 4.5 if I could.

Surprisingly great for its age. Marty Robbins is an unbelievable vocalist and the guitar shows flourish from track to track. The album as a whole suffers from the necessary simplicity of song structure and theme from the time, yet it is still clear to see why this record would be considered a classic.

Great album and fantastic voice. I already know about Big Iron (such a favorite) but also found Saddle Tramp (so good) and El Paso. Will definitely be listening to this again.

This album is like those Men’s Adventure magazines (https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Men%27s_adventure), but with someone singing you the stupid cliched stories with generic Western music playing in the background instead of you reading them. Despite that, sometimes the dumbest things in the world can catch lightning in a bottle. This album should have been one of a million other bits of late 50’s early 60’s pop culture detritus that was forgotten almost as soon as it got home from the record store. But something about this album really works. Maybe the generic Western music is played perfectly, maybe it’s the singing. Who knows. Life is funny sometimes cowboy. 🤠

too young to sing songs about being a lone wolf and getting hanged in the old west just old enough to sing along to this slapping shit.

Dit is echt, vanaf nummer 1, het meest country album ooit. En dan bedoel ik niet dat het over trucks, whisky en honkeytonks gaat. Dit is een western country album, hoe fijn is dat? Maar het is niet pure country? 160 acres klinkt juist heel zomers, bijna als een soort eiland lied? De nummers zijn allemaal echt super sfeervol en Marty is ontzettend duidelijk in waar de nummers over gaan. Het is echt stokoud, en ik zal dit waarschijnlijk nooit meer luisteren, maar mocht je ooit zin hebben in een soort Country/Western audioboek dan is dit album eigenlijk best wel een aanrader. FAVO: Big Iron, They're hanging me tonight

Back in the day Cowboy!

Favourite tracks: big iron; hanging me tonight; cool water; el paso; a hundred and sixty acres; running gun

Gunfighter Ballads And Trail Songs is twee as all hell, it's alright at times and forgettable at others, and the most interesting songs sound like inferior versions of stuff that Gene Pitney did a few years later that I far prefer. Give it a 2.

This is fine, gets up to good in places but feels like that it's mostly on the list because it's really old. He's got a nice voice, there's the occasional good lyric, but it's so simple in terms of structure (both storytelling and musically) that it's hard to give it any more than a 2/5.

Robbins is one of the most interesting figures in music I’ve ever read about. Mostly a country & western musician (as on this album), he helped develop the outlaw country sub-genre, forayed into blues, pop, and folk, had a small film career (mostly playing himself and/or a singer), and then even had a career as a NASCAR driver. And he was apparently a decent racer, with a handful of top-10 finishes. I know songs like “El Paso” and particularly “Big Iron” have become meme songs, but it does take a catchy tune to get to meme status. And “Big Iron” is definitely that. You can definitely see the origins of outlaw country on this album, not necessarily in the pacing or style of instrumentation, but definitely in the lyrics.

Lovely Melodies and singing

Quite a good listen and wasn't expecting it to be. Only rating it a 3 because it's just not my type of music...

I dunno I feel like this is really good for this era and this style. I’m going 3.6.

Lieder aus einer anderen Zeit.

loved the cowboy vibe, actually really enjoyed all the way through

Dats my shit

Excellent songs. Not quite my speed but lots of fun.

Hilariously weird and wonderful

Great voice, but "Big Iron" was the only interesting song; the rest are a bit too simple.

Honestly, I almost want to give this a 5, just because it is so fun to listen to and has such classic songs. However, I can't quite feel it deserves that, for me, due to it being more a "flash in the pan." However, it is a fun listen and something I could see myself putting on around the family when making dinner or cleaning up.

The story telling and setting on this album is really good. His voice and instrumentation make me really happy throughout the album. I really really enjoyed it. Some of these tracks are some of my favorites I have listened to so far in rating these albums. Very solid album! Favorite songs : big iron, they're hanging me tonight, the masters call, El Paso, saddle tramp.

Fun album. Not an everyday listen but makes you feel like a cowboy

well it's 1959 country. We are past that and it's for the best. 1 stars

About as big of a surprise as I’ve had on the list yet. From the album artwork to every song, 5 stars and completely up my alley. Ennio Morricone for romantics.

Marty Robbins recorded popular country music over a thirty year year career. He recorded albums in a variety of styles - Elvis' odd, movie soundtrack section of his catalog may have been inspired by Robbins' eclectic mix. In the late 50's, Robbins recorded a few albums of "cowboy myth" country. Gunfighter Ballads is one of those albums. This is simple, cowboy country - voices and guitars - and Robbins is at least partially responsible for popularizing this part of country music.

Old and timely

I've heard countless covers of El Paso by the Grateful Dead. Always loved it in their live show, and come to find they really didn't stray far from the source material. Had this on in the background for the most part. While it isn't exactly what I go in for, I really did enjoy this detour into country western territory. For what it is, this was very enjoyable. His voice is great and storytelling was very solid. High 3 for me.

Lol, I actually know the song Big Iron. Bad ass old western sounding song. The rest of the album is a rootin tootin country old western vibe as well. Not a tough listen but felt very repetitive. 3 stars for me

Sure. Definitely feels like a 50's album. As I was finishing I was like "I have totally heard El Paso somewhere". It turns out I heard it about 20 minutes earlier. Idk there's nothing really wrong with this to make it less than a 3, but I can't really warrant giving it a 2.

Yeehaw! What a way to start a morning that was so peaceful. This was surprisingly close to a 4.

Some pretty run of the mill country music to me. Infinitely better than todays country but still not 100% my jam. My ears did perk up at El Paso as I know that as a Grateful Dead song. Weird that the "full length" version is like 20 seconds longer but whatever pop off Marty.

I do not like the genre, so I had low hopes for this album. I recognised the first song from Fallout, but other than that slight joy from recognition, I was right in having low hopes. I think people who like country music will probably enjoy it. It sounds like country music, but that's not for me.

Yaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaawn.

This album can be enjoyed as if you were reading a book. The lyrics are very detailed and each song tells a different story. Very interesting and entertaining

I love the feel of this album, real rancher/outlaw country songs. My only complaint is that a lot of the songs and even lyrics start to feel repetitive by the end of the album. Very similar cadence with very similar themes. But still excellent overall. Top tracks: Big Iron, Cool Water, El Paso

Albums before the mid-60s tended not to capture the concept of what really makes a great album. This is a collection of good songs - but when listened to in one sitting, the style isn't quite good enough to boost it to 4 stars or higher. It's at the upper end of 3 stars. It's performed well, with a very strong vocal and simplistic backing arrangement. Big Iron, El Paso, They're Hanging Me Tonight, and Billy The Kid are highlights that could really shine as concept album material if placed in the right order. The chords definitely lack inspiration, being primarily the 3 blues chords plus the occasional minor 6 for moodier pieces. The instrumental backing the vocals also really doesn't add much to the table, being mostly bass, acoustic guitar, and light drums, all of which could be further forward in the mix and played with more energy. Overall, good music, but not pioneering - which isn't a bad thing, but I feel it doesn't fully belong in this list. 3/5

I didn’t mind this and would probably give it a 2.5 if I could. All the songs sound similar, only a few stood out to me.

This is okay but I have heard many other versions of these songs that I prefer over the ones performed by Marty Robbins here. But as a collection of ballads and trail songs it's not bad, just kind of mid and melodically monotonous.

Great!

Growing up, we spent a ton of time at my grandparents’ house. I don’t really remember much music around their house (which is ironic since my dad was a musician). Still, I watched a lot of old westerns with my grandfather and he read a bunch of old Louis L’Amour books. This album reminds me of him. He died when I was still a teenager, but I loved him about as much as I have ever loved anyone. It’s really special to see that there are things 35 years later that can bring me back to that appreciation.

NOPE!!!

Fun little album with some memorable songs, although I still prefer Cash's version of "Big Iron"

The album title gives you a pretty clear picture of what you’re in for. I like it. It was delightfully old-timey even in its time and still delights. 3.0

He's got such a great voice. The ballad format gets a little tiresome after a while, but these are great. "El Paso" is too perfect. This takes me back. 4.2

I've loved this album for a while, partially thanks to Fallout NV. I don't know why it surprised me to see it on this list, but I was glad to get it and have a reason to listen to it again. Robbins has a beautiful voice, the lyrics and the storytelling are strong throughout the whole record, and the mixing is so clean for its year without sounding glossy or fussy. As a fellow reviewer said: "YE-(and I cannot stress this enough)-HAW" Highlights: Big Iron, A Hundred and Sixty Acres, Cool Water, The Master's Call, El Paso, The Little Green Valley, Saddle Tramp

I honestly didn't think I'd like this. But I honestly really did. On paper, nothing about this should have been my jam but Marty's delivery is so good, and the musicianship behind him is top notch, and the engineering is great for the time, and the stories were a mix of hopeful and hilarious and heartfelt and heartbreaking. For some reason, it worked.

I thoroughly enjoyed that. I am certainly no authority and this is wildly speculative but this could be the best country album of its era. The best I’ve heard anyway….but I haven’t heard that many.

This album cemented my belief that country isn’t bad, only modern country is.

Fun Cowboy ballads. Smooth crooning voice like Roy Orbison or Elvis Presley. The Strawberry Roan (horse song, but sounds like swearing each time he sings "buck") El Paso

Good to have in the background

My sibling has always said this album reminded them of my late grandfather, and while I don't totally see it, I do get the vibe that those who would've heard this album when it released would've been the coolest of cool, a total cowboy in the truest of (fictional) forms. The guitar playing is great, the singing is great, and its all got this mix of coziness and great storytelling, like watching one of those Western TV shows. Its repetitive, I'd even say some songs sound the exact same save for a chord here or there, but I still enjoyed myself enough. Perhaps cut out some of the fluff and this would be like an exciting addition to a story you were already in the middle of, but instead it has too much filler. Someone should make a list of all the episodes (songs) I have to watch (listen to) so I can skip the fluff, eh?

Good album, very cohesive for its time, but only a couple of songs clicked with me.

If you want a cowboy to sing stories to you, it's hard to do better than Marty Robbins. If you want anything else that isn't that, you're out of luck.

This rules.

First of all, single greatest album cover in the history of music. Second, the influence a record like this had on country nusic and especially someone like Johnny Cash is obvious. Though novelty or sounding like a movie soundtrack today, they songs themselves are catchy and arrangements are a fun example of a bygone style.

This is awesome. I recognize there are no foul words on this album, but literally every song is about murdering and killing. I guess it's not as violent if you don't curse. I knew El Paso and somehow each song on here is catchy and tells a very interesting story. This is the kind of country music that I can get behind. "They're Hanging Me Tonight" is about a guy whose girl gets with another man and the narrator goes in and just kills them both. Did not see that one coming. Marty Robbins has a really good voice and this is really a pretty irresistible album. I'm not even sure this is country music but is more just western music.

Not my thing but if you like old country music this is the thing for you.

Great classic, western music that doesn’t get old no matter how “old” it gets. Listen again: yes Purchase for my collection: yes Favourite Song: Big Iron

Fun (and and also some downright depressing) country-western ballads. Such is the life of a gunslinger in the Old West! The storytelling in "Big Iron" and "El Paso" will have you coming back to this album.

An album full of story-songs? Fuck yeah! A couple of all-time classics (El Paso, Big Iron). More than a few hokey songs, but it's from 1959. Overall, liked this a lot.

yeehaw

Nice 3/5

Fucking everybody in these stories is armed to the teeth. They love their hip iron. Musically, pretty boring, but nice enough. The stories are okay haha

Ég hélt ég fílaði ekki kántrí en vona kántrí er nú bara nokkuð gott. Ætli það sé ekki gamaldagskántrí sem ég fíla frekar en þetta nýmóðins söngl. Þessi plata er alveg líklegt til að vera spiluð aftur ef ég man þá eftir henni. Fínasta stöff alveg hreint.

A great album , not amazing

Reminds me of driving up the mountain to Estes Park. Favorite track: Cool Water

Thoughts before listening: Early country music with some songs that have become staples over the years like "El Paso". Should be an interesting listen full of story songs with an antiquated sounding musical style. Review: Yeah, this is fun. Marty Robbins has a great, soothing voice and these songs are like little western movies with the stories they are telling. The music is pretty typical for the 1950s era of country music, and there are some interesting little guitar licks happening low in the mix. Not something that I would typically come back to very often, but I'm glad to have heard this today. 3-stars

A classic of the genre. I've never been a c&w fan but I do like these murder ballad. I can't tell how many times I've heard the Grateful Dead play El Paso.

This was a great album. Great music to accompany Red Dead.

Sam always listens to songs on this album <3

This album has it all... Country AND Western!

Ik heb nog nooit van Marty Robbins gehoord, maar ik ben meteen enthousiast na het eerste nummer Big Iron. Zijn boterzachte stem, de achtergrondvocalen, de vertellende wijze van zingen… een recept voor feel good country muziek. Ja, een lekkere inkomer zeg. Je waant je in het Wilde Westen. Best wat nummers gaan zo’n 65 jaar na dato nog makkelijk mee. Maar helaas (maar verwacht natuurlijk) gaat echt niet alles zo goed mee, er zit ook wat oubollige muziek tussen. Conclusie: Marty Robbins was een uitstekende zanger, storyteller en heeft een paar nummers gemaakt die nogsteeds lekker meegaan. Voor een album dat zo lang geleden uitgebracht is, vind ik dat uniek, en meer enjoyable dan een Fats Domino of Little Richards uit ongeveer deze tijd. Rating: 7,5/10 Highlights: Big Iron, The Master’s Call, El Paso,

De tijdmachine heeft ons deze week afgezet in 50s 'Murica, en ging daarna kapot. Maar dit is - in tegenstelling tot Fats en Ray Charles - een plaat die vooral leeft in een nog verder verleden, en een specifieke subcultuur aangaat. Het is cliché om te zeggen dat die Wild Western cultuur uit de 19e eeuw, ver verwijderd van het hedendaagse Nederland, bij mij weinig emotionele aantrekkingskracht oproept. Maar dat doet deze plaat al niet echt bij een New Yorker rond die tijd, lijkt me. Toch, ondanks dat het geen match made in heaven is, weet Marty wel aardig een beeld te schetsen die past bij oude Westerns, die ook de gemiddelde Hollander wel bekend zijn. De ambiance is die van een oude saloon, en van de Lone Ranger en zijn harde bestaan op de prairies en in de woestijnen van de US. Die sfeer beviel wel, ondanks dat sommige nummers echt tenenkrommend stereotype cowboy zijn. Sterke momenten zijn de nummers die niet alleen klinken maar ook lezen als een oude Western movie. 'Big Iron' opent het bal, en etaleert direct dat Marty Robbins een behoorlijk fantasierijke pen game heeft. Je kan niet anders dan het verhaaltje volgen. De donkere ondertonen waren al merkbaar, maar de 'southern goth' komt nog duidelijker naar voren in 'The Master's Call', wat m'n favo van het album is. Die spookachtige achtergrondzang en grimmige topics laten een indruk achter zoals geen ander nummer op het album. Ik kan me voorstellen dat andere sleutelfiguren, die later de 'Southern Gothic' beweging zouden vormgeven, dit nummer wel hebben gehoord. Neem een Townes Van Zandt, een Johnny Cash, of The Handsome Family. Het wat lichtvoetigere 'Running Gun' sluit goed aan. Maar toch heeft het album te weinig van deze momenten, waarin hij de clichématige cowboyhoed en poncho even van zich afgooit, om mij helemaal voor zich te winnen. Maar het viel me ontzettend mee, en de verhaaltjes waren vermakelijk. Absoluut de beste van de drie oldies deze week. 7/10 Highlights: Big Iron The Master's Call

Nog nooit van deze Marty gehoord maar positief verrast door dit album. Overduidelijk een voorloper van de country-folk waar Cash en Townes zoveel furore mee hebben gemaakt. Moet bij veel nummers aan Johnny Cash denken, zeker bij de intro van the Hanging Tree De plaat wordt op een gegeven wel wat smartlapperig. Zoals in the Little Green Valley. Dat zie ik zo een gepensioneerde mannenkoor zingen op net niet goed bezochte kerstmarkt. 6,5/10 Highlights The Strawberry Roan The Masters Call

I love Marty Robbins' voice. His story telling is very fun and he has some true classics on this record. It's country that just feels truly western.

Such a freakin cool record. This is an overlooked time stamp in American and Country music. I love how every song is just a story. Its like listening to an audiobook or watching a movie. The music flows and bounces. Its engaging, but simple. The spanish guitar licks in the background keep it from sounding mundane. And then Marty's voice is just so unique. Who else sounds like this?? I love this record. This is one that was always playing in my Dad's truck when I was a kid.

Too old-fashion for me

5 stars for 'Big Iron' alone. This is a classic for a reason.

Marty Robbins possesses one of the most iconic country vocals there is. I could listen to him tell me tales of the open prairie and its many outlaws day in and day out.

My kind of music, strangely.

Good classic songs. 4/5

Shout out Kansas city

Beautiful voice and a REAL MAN (would shoot someone for speaking to his girl)

Mad. I thought 'cool water' was a Coen brothers' parody; but here it is, without a hint of (big) irony. It's kind of great but more of a curio than a real repeat listen.

Earmarking an era of cowboy fantasy, Marty croons simple cowboy songs with great emotion and locomotive guitar. Stand out tracks: "Big Iron", "The're Hanging Me Tonight", "El Paso", and "The Master's Call".

Gunfights, hangings, and acres, Martin Robbins croons melodies and weaves stories about a fantasy world of the American West. The album features minimal but incredible instrumentation with country western staples, such as flamenco guitar, early electric guitar, upright bass, a bare bones drum kit, and the lush country vocals of the Glaser Brothers. Robbins is a good storyteller and a decent singer, making each track a warm, nostalgic romp through a fictional past. Themes are obviously pretty unvaried, and some songs certainly have aged better than others, but this record feels like a piece of memorabilia or a museum piece. The audio equivalent of a Louis L'Amour novel. Stand out tracks include "Big Iron", "They're Hanging Me Tonight", "The Master's Call", and "El Paso".

I quite enjoy Marty Robbin’s’ voice. The entire album is pleasant although never veering into greatness. I love the song “El Paso” but only two other songs come close to it. It’s fine. Wouldn’t mind listening again but I’m not going to rush to so. 3/5

Not gonna lie, I did not expect to like this album. To my amazement, it turned out to be a really good one. Each song tells a detailed story. Maybe it's just a difference of country and western songs from the '50s versus today? Now, I don't know if I would seek it out again, but I really did enjoy it.

Honestly I'm surprised how much I enjoyed this one. El Paso is a genuine hit and I found myself humming along with quite a few of these.

Big Iron is well known and the epitome of these songs that transport the lonesome rider cowboy figure

Awesome western country Breaking Bad El Paso song

Country. Ni fu ni fa.

Está muy bien, pero es un poco repetitivo.

sure this was wonderful for its time...

he knows how to tell a story in song, but all of the songs start to sound about the same at some point. He does have an impressive voice.

interessante exemplo de um gênero pouco explorado, mas está aqui para representar um grupo

Gear: Grado Hemp Mix: YEEEEHAAW Musik: Wow. Das ist (fast) unironisch cool. Aber immer noch Country. Wertung: 🤠🤠(🤠)/5

Country and western with the emphasis on western. An album that's almost as old as me. Some of the tracks, such as "Cool Water" are vaguely familiar from my childhood when cowboy movies were all the rage.

What a beautiful voice, and such plain, perfect singing. I find myself listening to all the lyrics, which I don't usually do - they're just simple rhymed stories. The harmonies are gorgeous. The guitar and small band are perfectly placed to support the songs. This album is perfection. 10/10!

Classic

bic iron on to the hip

Out of my wheelhouse but good stuff

Big Iron is lively and fast paced but it's mostly followed by a collection of - appropriately - ballads which all blend together. If I had to pick one, The Master's Call is it.

я не знаю, в каких обстоятельствах я вдруг захочу это послушать но это абсолютно великолепно

Это ковбойские сказки! Сказки в музыке и они супер приятные! Прекрасно понимаю коммент Егора, что целенаправленно ты к нему фиг вернешься. Но пока готовился раза 3 альбом переслушал и понял что это просто супер. Я бы детям/подросткам его ставил чтобы он угорали от ковбоев Алкоальбом: чистый виски и новые патроны в револьвер

Меня очень прикололо, что чувак записал/написал почти все песни от первого лица. Чувствуется погружение. Ну, не совсем так я кажется ковбоев представлял. Но допустим))

Very good storyteller, the songs are basically like short stories. And the music is really enjoyable to listen too also

Knetterfoute hoes, waarbij ome Marty eruit ziet alsof hem in de baarmoeder een extra chromosoompje is toegeschoven. Ik luister normaal bij de eerste luisterbeurt niet echt naar de teksten, maar deze man zingt zo verhalend dat je wel moet. En dan valt op dat hij meer gun referenties heeft dan 50 Cent op Get Rich or Die Trying. Mede dankzij die eerste track, bekend van Fallout: New Vegas. 'El Paso', die God mag weten waarom twee keer op het album staat, ken ik uit Breaking Bad. Ongekend. Door het verhalende lijken sommige tracks 8 minuten langer dan ze daadwerkelijk zijn, bijvoorbeeld 'The Master's Call'. De muziek staat volledig in dienst van het verhaal, waardoor er qua instrumentatie nogal veel herhaling in zit. Barbershop-kwartet-achtige country. Voor een keer wel geinig. Niet teveel irritatie. Ik word ook niet echt weggeblazen. Met hele goeie wil kun je hier een 4 van maken, maarja maandag hè.

Nice vibe from the old days

Reminded me of my Grandad. Pretty fun!

Too western for my liking

Love the storytelling, love the old time guitars, such a great voice. On the one hand it's hard to believe this is from 1959 as the recording sounds pretty great. On the other hand it is so old it seems like it's from another world entirely - stories about gunfights and showdowns and being out in the wilderness.... it's a world that only seems to exist in old movies and old songs nowadays... I was happy to visit for a while!

I love this kind of country music, it's pleasant and fun to listen to. Stand-out: El Paso

Simple, beautiful storytelling. Felt like I was sitting around a campfire being told stories. So nice to be able to understand every word as well. This is what country music should be.

I don’t know why, but I feel very familiar with the cover art. As though it’s always been in my collection and I should have heard this record 30 times already. But I haven’t. Anyway, it’s pretty good music, I enjoyed this! I appreciate Robbins’ vocal delivery, simple instrumentation and eloquent storytelling. Cool Water rang a bell and is the standout track in my opinion, I’m sure I heard that song on a kids show when I grew up.

5 stars? Why not? I loved it. Such a classic feel. Breaking Bad-core.

A haiku: To be a cowboy Steer rasslin', villain duelin', Cathouse loiterin'

Excellent vibe from this album, love Marty Top tracks: Big Iron, El Paso

I understand why some wouldn't enjoy this album. It's certainly of its time. But that's exactly why I do love it -- it's a charming snapshot of the late 50's music scene. The musicians on this release are proficient, but it's the stories that shine. Each track tells a tale interesting enough to catch your attention. I might not always want to put this on, but I certainly wouldn't turn it off.

Good

a fun little romp 4/5

Fascinating going from Fishscale to Gunfighter Ballads. We have been glorifying violence with guns since the 1950’s probably longer. With this album, it’s romanticizing the west for entertainment. And it really is good and fun. It seemed like the transition from old country western to a new country and western sound. I did love this album…just find it fascinating to hear Ghostface Killah that day before and then this. Quite a contrast dealing with similar subjects.

fun album. Definity some great songs.

Loved this listen, really took me by surprise. Marty’s got a smooth voice, instrumentation was real good, and the old west theme was tons of fun. A couple lesser quality tracks bring down the rating a bit, but still going to revisit. Top tracks: Big Iron, They’re Hanging Me Tonight, Utah Carol, The Master’s Call, Running Gun, The Hanging Tree

Howdy partner, how about handing over all your snuggles

This album reminds me of my Pap, who I only recently realized groomed me throughout my childhood well into my teenage years, so... there's that. He used to hum songs like these incessantly. I can't possibly rate higher than a 3/5 for personal reasons. Gives me the ick.

I had not heard this before. Definitely a very very specific genre, but I believe it was done very well.

It's just a great collection of violent ballads. The cover says it all. Incredible. I've seen The Ballad of Buster Scruggs since the first time I've heard these songs. Listening to them again I'm reminded that the Coens did a fairly accurate hit job on this particular kind of singing sociopath.

I mean if you like gunfighter ballads, then I guess this is the album for you. I don't think I would include it on a list of albums you have to listen to before you die.

Fantastic cover art. No notes. Like listening to a Coen Brothers movie. Definitely a portal into a different time. This is entirely a reflection on me, but I would much rather listen to a band like the Cactus Blossoms, who are clearly influenced by Marty Robbins, than I would to this album. Good to know who this is, but it’s hard to take this music as seriously as it takes itself. **Note: this album grew on me as I listened. By “El Paso” I was enjoying what I was listening to.

Der Album-Titel ist Programm.... Richtig Country- und Westernmusik wie im wilden Westen. Ganz witzig in der heutigen Zeit, aber eben nicht mehr aktuell.

For an utter turd (ain't I right?) he sure can play a tune or two.

r/vinyl, is that you?

For what it is it's good but it's not for me.

Catchy and classic. Sometimes simplicity says an awful lot.

I'll certainly never listen to this again, but that's the case with pretty much anything released before 1965 or so. I thought this was largely pretty good for what it was. 2.5.

This is an all around no for me.

Can't believe there was a time you could just get a bunch of session musicians to back you up while you croon about how you gunned down Lefty Simmons at Mustard Fart Station and get a hit record out of it. Country music needs to go back to this.

Album fucks imo. Also like, El Paso and A White Sport Coat are not his best songs and people have bad taste. Trying to write anything for this without having a strong grounding in country music feels like utter fucking nonsense. There's so fucking much about class and race going on in there and I cannot fucking tell where Marty Robbins places himself in all of it.

simpaticno

Moooore

From country rock to a full on country album.... Well... At least this isn't as bad ad country rock. But if anything, this list has really established my disliking for country. I give this a 2 for the storytelling and big iron

i love big iron and el paso

NOT FOR ME!!!! NOT MADE WITH YA GIRL ON MIND!!

Cool. Can see the influence on early rock and roll and some classic tunes

Ratings: 5: I will happily play this album anytime 4: I may occasionally play this album of my own free will 3: I will happily listen to this if someone plays it in the background 2: I will tolerate this if it is playing in the background 1: I will leave the room if someone plays this in the background The beauty of this exercise is listening to music I would never otherwise have heard. Big Iron and El Paso were highlights for me. The rest went down easy enough. Not necessarily my cup of tea but happy to have listened.

Repetitive

Not what I'd ever choose to listen to, but I kind of get it.

Marty Robbins is just masterful at good ol' fashioned country story tellin'.

Fun album! Great stories, catchy tunes, velvety voice. "Big Iron" is my jam.

Big iron är en bra låt, men har aldrig hört något mer från varken albumet eller artisten. Det var väl rätt så bra. Kul med konceptalbum 3 / 5

• Väldigt igenkännbart omslag, tycker mannen ser lite konstig ut, nästan som det är en vaxdocka • Känner att min New Vegas nostalgi kommer påverka hur mycket jag tycker om låtarna • Big Iron = 5/5 banger • Vet inte hur man ska klassifiera musikstilen, nån tidig country med western motiv • El Paso x2? Betyg: Utan New Vegas och Big Iron hade det nog ej varit lika uppskattat => 3/5

Big iron är en banger Annars ganska bra album. Blir sugen på att skjuta folk med en chinese assault rifle

I liked the storytelling aspect.

Back when it was called Country and Western music. A great example of this genre, with catchy tunes and great storytelling. Not my cup of tea, but I can appreciate the talent. I recognized one of the songs from Breaking Bad and one played by the Grateful Dead. So it’s definitely had an impact

Truly iconic sound from Marty on this one. I think this album could have been like 10 mins shorter, still great though.

interesting songwriting great vocals cowboy music

I tried but couldn’t.

This was so much fun! It’s stuff that you know you’ve heard in the background of movies, but really focusing on it lets the storytelling shine through

This album offers a fascinating insight into the music of the late 1950s -- before the Beatles-led "British Invasion" of rhythm and blues roots blossoming into a 'popular' bloom that would dominate and influence music for decades. Yet, even without the increased variety that the 1960s would bring, this album does have its own merits, most notably the song-stories interspersed throughout. While some have a better sonic and story-structure than others, all of them are compelling narratives in their own way. This album also gains a greater degree of cultural significance when viewed in the larger scope of popular media at the time, especially cinema, where the genre of Western Films would continue in popularity for another decade with the emergence of "Spaghetti Westerns." Given the context, Gunfighter Ballads and Trail Songs is more culturally significant than it may first sound. It also helps that there is a widening variety of music to choose from, rather than being sequestered to limited musical genres.

Fun album

Very underrated, great storytelling

Someone must have written a thesis about a direct link of the ‘Old West’ and the American obsession for the right to bear arms? This is folk music. Like every culture has folk music. Storytelling by song. It’s powerful stuff. This is just a barrage of shooting and killing, normalised by a jaunty beat and friendly voice. The body is nearly at 50 in one of the songs. It makes Notorious BIG and Fiddy look like complete amateurs.

Before listening: What in tarnation After listening: This album unironically f*cks

Loved it

I dug this

LP

Jams

Country/western isn't a genre I dive into all too frequently, but I do find the album to have a smoothness to it. There's some really inventive storytelling and there's a dignity to its simplicity. But, every song is basically a ballad, and Marty isn't particularly dynamic as a singer, so for my tastes all the songs kinda blend together. It's great background music and I mean that as a compliment. "Big Iron" is about as good of an opener as you can get.

This album is in my DNA. The man Johnny Cash called the greatest country singer. A hugely underrated lead guitarist. Great bass. Basically Patsy Cline's band on this one, and recorded in 8 hours.

Áhugavert að vissu leyti. Stemming.

not a cowboy music fan

This album makes me feel like I'm sitting in an open windowed bar with a cool breeze and the sun shining. Marty Robbins really takes you away to the old western feel with this one. So many good songs including El Pase, Big Iron, Saddle Tramp and many more. Overall just an easy album to listen to and more importantly an enjoyable album to listen to. Not the first time I've heard many of the songs and it won't be the last.

Kind of a perfect album in my opinion. Marty pulls me into every story he's telling and makes me yearn to be a cowboy out in the Romantic west. These songs are infinitely replay able thanks to catchy rhythm and leads guitars. On top of that he has a voice cut perfectly for this style of music.

hmmm

Solid old country. Very country voice and catchy.

Überraschend angenehmes Western Album aus den späten 50ern. Geschichten von bösen und rauen Westernhelden. Klar ausgedrückt mit schlüssigem Melodie Arrangement. Das Album versetzt den Hörer in eine andere Zeit ohne E-Mail, Social-Media und Reizüberflutung. Es ist perfekte Entschleunigung … vielleicht ein wenig zu schlulzig. Ich hoffe “Billy the Kid” knallt mich nun nicht ab 😉

This was cool, I hadn’t heard all of these before. Everyone in my family liked it.

Possibly the worst style of music I can think of. He wasn't bad but I didn't enjoy it at all.

THIS IS A CERTIFIED NEW VEGAS MOMENT

- HOLY SHIT ITS BIG IRON FIVE STARS - Big Iron is unfortunately the peak but everything else is nice chill desert vibes - 2.5 but I’ll round up

- Highwaymen type sound - good vibes for sitting around a summer campfire

Big Iron and El Paso are fun and memorable ditties. The rest is cozy background music.

Good old’ western cowboy country. I would have never listened to this if not assigned and I’m so glad I gave it a chance. I really enjoyed the album overall. Reminded me of something my great grandpa listened to on the ranch. Woody’s round up vibes.

Very sleepy. Like it but the kind of music my dad listens to. It was ok but I don't need it again.

Kinda felt like a trip to another time. On one hand nice melodies and nice story telling. On the other hand, it gets quite repetitive after half the album. No ups and downs, no really good or bad songs, and also the mood nearly stays the same. Worth a listen, but only once.

Big iron on his hip

Marty Robbins has such a classic voice and singing style that I love. It really makes you feel like you're in a black and white western film. The story telling is probably the biggest strength of this album. It's a shame the stories aren't more cohesive though as each song seems to be it's own little tale. I thought I hated country but this album proved that wrong because it was a joy.