Gunfighter Ballads And Trail Songs

Big Iron is great. Country music can be really good and this is as country as it gets.

Classic, still holds up nearly 70 years later. Bonus points for Marty looking like a PS1 character model on the cover. Rating: 9/10

un embole

I wish my commute had been by horseback rather than train. Quality singing and songmanship.

With a few chords and storytelling to match the great writers Marty Robbins helped define American country music.

I was surprised by this one. I will be honest I don’t really like Country music. But this album had a very different sound from more conventional Country. I liked the sort of Folk art feel of some of the songs and there was also a kind of Buddy Holly and Elvis Presley vibe to some of the music.

The all time classic. Thank you Fallout! 7

Another one where there's nothing inherently wrong with the music or style but when you listen to a whole album of it in one go it's just a bit much. Western-inspired music is mostly about shooting people, getting shot, getting hanged, riding horses or women, and unsurprisingly this album is mostly about those things. Still an interesting alternative to something more modern.

First listen. How many times does the narrator die? This dude has been shot and killed (or hanged) in almost every song. Like bro, give it up.

This album is better than you might think it would be going in. Yes, the songs all sound similar, but Marty Robbins has a great voice and these are fun "tales of the trail" folk songs. It's not some perfect album because it does get a bit repetitive, but I enjoyed listening to it.

Bangin

"Baladas de pistoleiros e canções de trilha". O título define muito bem o conteúdo do disco que é praticamente uma coletânea de canções country, sem muito a acrescentar.

Good cowboy songs - 3/5

Super not in the mood for this. Still ok. Was happy when it was done. El Paso was the best

I know albums are supposed to be cohesive but this just felt like the same exact song over and over again. And I know I’ve liked stuff like this before but mary poppins just couldn’t do anything for me

Giving this a 5 felt wrong… but just know the thought was there

Yo this cover is absolutely insane what am I looking at, is he a wax figure???

Tråkigt og spesielt. Nærmeste en ener hittil, men det blir nok 2 av 5 her.

MOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOLTO SITUAZIONALE: LO ASCOLTEREI SOLO SE FOSSI A CAVALLO NEL MEZZO DEL NEBRASKA. 2/5

Cowboy music :)

I guess this was the equivalent of gangster rap in the fifties. I like the old records on this list. Anything pre-1963 ish is a blind spot for me.

Classic country music

Decent, maybe the weaker of the 3 star country albums I've heard (or maybe I need to bump some of those other ratings up)

A two

Kinda fun but not really my thing.

Story songs set to both kinds of music: country and western. Outlaw songs that are decidedly not Outlaw Country. Wears a bit by the end.

i think this might be my favorite Country album that i've gotten so far. this guy has a really nice voice and it was pretty relaxing, even though the subject matter is anything but. it's not anything too crazy, but for it is, it's good :)

Listening session: october 9th, while taking the train back home Listened to before: no Thoughts: I’m not a country fan, but this was okay, just a bit too long for my liking Favourite tracks: Big Iron & The Master’s Call

I enjoyed this a lot more than I thought I would.

The songs pretty much all sound the same, but they are FANTASTIC! I love these old western stories. Every song is a full fledged tale and they had me absolutely gripped. Really enjoyed this listen.

Marty Robbins has a fantastic voice, and Gunfighter Ballads and Trail Songs immediately pulled me in with its storytelling. “Big Iron” was a great opener, with Robbins essentially telling a complete Western story through song. “A Hundred and Sixty Acres” had an almost Irish folk-ballad quality to it, while the dark “They’re Hanging Me Tonight” reminded me musically of an Elvis ballad. I also enjoyed “Cool Water” and the continued storytelling of “Billy the Kid.” The stories change from song to song, and the melodies aren't exactly the same, but eventually the album started to feel very much the same. Robbins' smooth country crooning and the Western arrangements create such a consistent atmosphere that, by the end, the individual songs began blending together for me. I actually think I would enjoy these songs more if I heard them individually, mixed in with other artists. As an entire album, though, there wasn't enough variety to keep me fully engaged. Still, this was a really good album. Robbins is an excellent storyteller with a great voice, and I can absolutely understand the appeal. I enjoyed my time with it, but there wasn't anything here that I expect will stick with me long after the album ends.

Something different

Real cowboy hours. I'd watch these stories as a series of vignettes.

Big iron, 3.6

One of the greatest albums in country music. The storytelling is as good as it gets. Marty sings these old west tales with a perfect voice, clear and steady, and he makes every character and every dusty road feel real. Songs like Big Iron, El Paso and Billy the Kid stay with you for a lifetime. There is a calm authority in the way he delivers the stories. Nothing is rushed and nothing is overplayed. The band stays tight and supportive, giving the songs a clean, cinematic feel without ever getting in the way of the narrative. You can almost see the landscapes and the gunfights while the record plays. The production is simple and effective. Everything sits in the right place, the voice stays out front, and the sound has a warm, classic presence that still holds up. Gunfighter Ballads and Trail Songs is a landmark. Timeless storytelling, perfect singing, and songs that refuse to leave you.

A lot more sad and emotional than I was expecting. Certainly the right vibe for waking up at 3am for the third day in a row to go to a fucking grocery store. Songs were quick and packed with story. Great album

Really great Western storytelling. A lot of bangers on here tbh. I can’t believe how well this has lasted through so much time.

I do enjoy a storytelling album and songs and this was definitely that. Not one I would likely return too, but it was fun

Not something I’m going to listen to on the regular but it’s fun for what it is!

Olha, desde o inicio dessa serie esse foi o Album que eu mais me identifiquei, achei muito bom principalmente as letras. coutry raiz, letras de duelos, tragedias, historias de e amor e amizade... Violões maravilhosos e divisões de vozes impecáveis

Music has thankfully changed for the better. Top track: "El Paso"

I'm sure this is important and it's a fun listen. Still just a 3 for me, idk.

--Big Iron...Fallout: New Vegas. if you know you know --Cool Water...very nice harmonies. track feels as cool as the title --Billy the Kid...traditional Americana with some Mariachi thrown in. the minor key adds a sinister flavor --A Hundred and Sixty Acres...fun, carefree cowboy tune --They're Hanging Me Tonight...sounds like an Elvis ballad (laudatory) --The Strawberry Roan...pleasant but basic. plodding --El Paso...the white-cowboy-falls-for-Mexican-girl song. I'm being glib; it's good --In the Valley...another one that sounds like it was written for Elvis. did Elvis ever cover this guy? (later edit: he did) --The Master's Call...this is basically "Big Iron". that's okay because "Big Iron" is great --Running Gun...another fun ditty but I’m starting to get the point --The Little Green Valley...more pleasantness --Utah Carol...and we close with even more pleasantness. this LP has a beautiful vibe that it sticks to like grim death. I wish there were at least one track that flipped the formula a bit. a good listen nonetheless

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Franky Lane gör det så mycket bättre. En tvåa

OH MY GOD, IT HAS THE SONG FROM FALLOUT!!!

Fun old fashioned western music, while campy and of an older time, this one has an undeniable charm to it. The story telling in these relatively simple songs make for a fun listen, where it's enjoyable to follow the stories of outlaws and rangers in a traditional western style.

I've listened to this album many times and am already a huge fan, and was delighted to see it drawn from the list for the day's listen. I enjoyed it, perhaps more than any of my prior listens, as I cruised the gorgeous countryside of the Methow Valley on a sunny afternoon in early October. The golden aspen trees that lined the ranches, orchards, and coulees of this beautiful part of Washington State was the perfect setting to enjoy the dulcet sounds of Robbins vocals, and helped me find an appreciation for simpler times in a more rural land, where someone's demise could be easily predicted by the relative size of their gun.

Solid country album. Not usually my style but this was well done. Big iron is a goated song

4 - Old Timey western songs. Odd how upbeat and genteel the music is with the gritty subject material

My grandfather absolutely loved this kind of music, and I had never really listened to this kind of music much. Today made me think of him a lot while I listed to Gunfighter Ballads and Trail Songs. This is an album full of old timey western movies. Good guys fighting the bad guys, lovely maidens in trouble, and black hats and white hats. There was some really good songs in this collection, and the nostalgia of listening to this stuff in my pap's truck as a kid with him, man, it struck a chord I wasn't expecting.

Pari hyvää biisiä ei yksinkertaisesti riitä

Solid throwback. Some great songs but also some weaker moments and it tends to feel repetitive at times

I suppose it's culturally significant as the Library of Congress thinks, but in terms of its placement on this list I think it can be removed. I don't see it having meaningful influence on current or future generations.

I don’t love a whole album of stories as songs. I prefer a song to have bridges and choruses generally. Not as bad as I expected but not a fan

Much prefer old Western music as compared to American Country (at least Nashville version of Country).

Big iron on his hiiiiiip

I'm not sure how many Gunfighter Ballads one needs in their life, but I've had enough.

Nice voice and pleasant harmonies, though musically repetitive. I would think the album's intent at the time was lighthearted entertainment. Yet, I find it hard to rate this 1950s country western album with my 2026 perspective and its emotional weathering over the years of guns and misogyny.

Is it just this album cover or did Marty Robbins always look like Nick Cage? I'm surprised at all the five star reviews of this album. I mean it's fine and certainly better than the pop country garbage that comes out now but it's still just like campfire sing-a-longs for an hour. Fun fact - one of the first songs I learned to play on guitar was El Paso. So there's that. If someone was browsing though my record collection and found this I wouldn't be embarrassed, but if someone walked in the front door and this was playing I'd have to do some explaining. But I can't imagine a time when I would play this even if I did have it in the collection. At least it's tolerable and good for one listen. 2.5/5

Old school country I think grows on me the more I listen to it. Solid album, thought it gets repetitive if anything. Big Iron slaps.

Silky smooth vocals and fun lyrics. This genre hasn't exactly aged well with the topic of the songs and such, but its still a good listen. Big Iron has stood the test of time.

This is it. This is the best country western album ever written. No one else needs to make another one. We hit our peak 59' and no one else has surpassed it.

5.5/10

I did not expect to enjoy this. But here we are. I've always enjoyed "cowboy/gunslinger songs", and this is where they came from. I can imagine Volbeat taking huge influence from Marty. Good stuff.

This is a great album that I first heard about from an 8th grader I was teaching in 2022. The kids are alright. 😁 There are a number of albums on this list that I criticize because they don't hold up 20, 40, or 60 years later. This album is different. No matter how quaint or old-fashioned the music might be, it's still quality guitar playing and the stories absolutely hold up. This album is a testament to country western's longevity. If only more country singers told stories this good.

Very classic western sound. I knew a few songs actually

This is quite a songwriting tradition in itself

Schöne Stimme

makes me feel like a cowboy

Gunfighter Ballads... new lows FFS

god i don't think i'll get any country albums here i don't like will i

Ah this guy! I've heard this before. It's quite endearing. Not really my first choice. But fine to listen once over.

So far pretty good, cool water

Fun times, gun times. I'm going to throw this a bone because it's really well sung, well recorded, and the kind of wonderful music it's a joy to come across.

Yeeehaw ! Fine but not my thing. A few of the tracks are repeats too, which I find a bit annoying. Big Iron was cool though. 2.5/3 That cover art doe...

Not usually my kind of music but I enjoyed nonetheless. Big Iron was my favourite song

Even though I am not a country music fan, this album is charming and enjoyable. There are a few known songs on here and none of the songs are bad. Pitchfork: n/a Rolling Stone: n/a Best Songs Big Iron El Paso

I didn’t think I would like it and it’s definitely samey but it has some good stuff!

HEEEEY I KNOW THIS ONE AHAHAHAAA big iirrooon

Não conhecia, excelente

Some of the most beautiful cowboy songs ever sung. Legend.

Good music can transport you to a different time, I felt like a late 1800s Cowboy who lived off the land while listening to these little ditties, is this an album that pushed music forward? Not enough to warrant a 5 star rating in my eyes, but this was fun beyond "Big Iron" which I've heard countless times already

YEAH

não é meu tipo

This was surprisingly quite enjoyable! I might go download Red Dead Redemption now

I don't need to listen to this one to rate it (catchup time baybeee). Yeah, I really love this album. I think 99% of western movies kinda blow but man, western folk and ballad is so good. I could see how the multi-part harmony would sound repetitive to some but I'm all for it. I think I know all the words to this album by now. I've discovered better western folk albums but this one is the only one on this list. Favorite(s): Cool Water A Hundred and Sixty Acres Least: Billy the Kid 5/5

Fav: The Hanging Tree, El Paso L: The Valley songs 3.5 Why is El Paso on there twice? The music world could use more ballads. Dated in a good way. Cover: 2.5 Kind of a cool pose Name: 2.5 Descriptive but not super accurate Minecraft Parody: They’re Griefing Me Tonight or Flint and Steel (Big Iron)

there's no doubt that marty robbins is talented, but these songs, these are a major contributor to the bullshit, highly romanticized view of the ultra-mythical old west. these are just laughably bad songs. that said, "utah carol" is also a legit banger

Not sure what I expected with a title like this but... this was not for me. Yeehaw.

Marty had a great voice. Lot of outlaws, bad decisions, and dying on this album, but it is called “Gunfighter Ballads.” “A Hundred and Sixty Acres” is a cheerful outlier. Mini western stories. There is no getting around singing along to “El Paso” and “Cool Water.”

Good storytelling. Quite a specific country sound but nice guitar playing.

Marty Robbins has a unique ability to make a sad or tragic story sound so cheerful... but without losing that sense of melancholy. This is an amazing record.

There's more murder in this album than NWA - Straight Outta Compton. This album is proper country, great stories that aren't just country buzz word bs. Definitely one of my top five country records. This album influenced a lot, you can hear where Elvis got his sound from. Willie Nelson's Red Headed Stranger takes the gunfighter ballad motif & runs with it. When you look into his life you'll know Robbins really was a true OG, homie even raced NASCAR for fun.

If you’re in a cowboy mood, this is the album

What a lad!

Simple, effective songs Really liked it. Big Iron and El Paso probs my faves.

Just for fallout alone

MARTY "FUCKING" ROBBINS!! Now this is an outlier from the typical album on here. If there's one critique I have of this whole 1001 thing is the lack of diversity in music genres. I'm glad they included this one. Big Iron, and El Paso are classics.

Good stuff.