1001 Albums Summary

What a fun album! I loved the old western story telling. Big Iron is of course a classic, and They're Hanging Me Tonight and The Master's Call were my favorites on the album. Probably the most "out there" in terms of my usual tastes but I had fun listening to it regardless and Mart Robbins truly has a fantastic voice!

I enjoyed the guitar in many of the tracks. The synthy waves were consistent throughout the album but there was enough variation to keep me interested. It also felt like a sonic narrative, the more dreamy love songs slowly transitioning to the more earthy bluegrass inspired style. I liked it :)

This feels like a "safe" album. Nothing was ear-catching and nothing made me feel anything particularly substantial. Maybe not enough commitment? Track n.12, In The Morning, attempts blues with no soul. It's all just serviceable harmonica, serviceable piano, serviceable voice. There are moments where the guitar really shines but that's really the whole album. Moments of fantastic guitar, some fun lyrics like in White Rabbit, and besides that nothing that stands out. I think they REALLY excel in tracks where Grace Slick's hauntingly beautiful voice is the main star. Go To Her is a fucking banger of a song: Slick and who I believe is guitarist Jorma Kaukonen eat it up, crumbs and all. It's an energetic, whimsical, and engaging song, and an example of the type of music I really enjoyed on this album. Track n. 13, J.P.P MC Step B. Blues, is just a really sweet song too so even a bitter asshole like me can't hate on it.