Hello my friends and welcome back to another service of Cowboy Church.
Today's musical selection begins with Roy Rogers and Dale Evans with May The Good Lord Take A Likin' To Ya.
This is followed by Kitty Wells with Let's Regain the Garden. This recording comes from Kitty Wells' 1965 gospel album, The Kitty Wells Family - Gospel Songs.
Afterwards is Tex Ritter with his 1955 recording of These Hands. On this recording Tex is backed up by The June Nelson Singers and Nelson Riddle with his orchestra. This song was written by Eddie Noack, a country singer who had a hit with his 1968 recording of Leon Payne's murder ballad Psycho. Out of the song's Noack wrote, These Hands is probably the most popular. Johnny Cash, Hank Snow and George Jones also recorded it.
Then comes Williamson Branch with Oh How I Love Jesus. This hymn was based off a poem by Frederick Whitfield. This poem was entitled The Name of Jesus and originally appeared in 1855 in hymn-sheets and leaflets. It would appear in 1861's Sacred Poems and Prose, which was a collection by Whitfield himself.
This is followed by Willie Nelson with his self-penned gospel song, In God's Eyes. Writing about this song (in his autobiography It's a Long Story: My Life) Willie stated, "I needed to remind myself that, although I've strayed from the straight and narrow, I never strayed from my core beliefs. In 'In God's Eyes,' the next song in the sequence, I made that very point." This song comes from Willie's 1971 album, Yesterday's Wine. About this album Willie would state (again in his autobiography), "I looked up and simply began asking questions. Rather than keep those questions to myself, I put them into songs. The songs became my own particular prayers, my own personal reflections. I strung those prayers and reflections together in a loose-fitting suite. Music critics were throwing around the term 'concept album' - like the Beatles' Sgt. Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club or Marvin Gaye's What's Going On. I suppose you could say this new notion of mine came together as a concept album. Rather than trying to write a bunch of hit singles, I simply followed the natural path taken by my mind."
A Singer of Songs in my mind gets down to the essence of Johnny Cash and honestly when I first I found out I was surprised he had not written it. What is interesting is that when interviewed about this recording for the Unearthed Box set, Johnny stated, "Good song but I don't know whose it is." Producer Rick Rubin in comments for the box set stated that he felt this was "one of the most touching and emotional of all the songs." However, he admitted "I have no idea where it came from. I don't even remember recording it." He wondered how he could have possibly missed putting this song on one of the albums he and Johnny did together. Johnny's song John Carter Cash however shed light on where this song came from. "Every once in a while, I'd bring in a song or two - he knows instantly, when he hears a song, whether it will work out for him or not. This was written by Tim O'Connell." This song was recorded during the sessions for Johnny's third album for Rick Rubin, Solitary Man. Johnny was a heart simply a singer and a storyteller and he knew that there was no greater story than that of Jesus Christ.
Next is The Sons of the Pioneers with their 1937 recording of Power in the Blood. Though there may be many tough times we may face in life and days that seem overwhelming, the blessing of Jesus Christ and the power of his love is greater than any hardship we might face. Roy Rogers sings lead on this track and the great bass vocals are by Hugh Farr.
Today's musical selection ends with Don Gibson with God Walks These Hills with Me. No matter what we may go through in life God walks every hill with us and we are never truly alone. This recording comes from Don's 1964 gospel album, God Walks These Hills.
Now for the Roy Rogers movie, The Arizona Kid (1939). This film also features Gabby Hays who simply makes every B Western he is in better simply by his presence. Stuart Hamblen, writer of such songs as It Is No Secret (What God Can Do), This Ole House, Texas Plains, Open Up Your Heart (And Let the Sunshine In), (Remember Me) I'm the One Who Loves You and Hardrock, Coco and Joe, plays the villain. This movie was directed by Joseph Kane, who specialized in making fast paced and fun B Westerns. He directed films starring such great cowboy stars as Roy Rogers, John Wayne, Gene Autry, Ken Maynard and William Boyd.
Now for C.S. Lewis essay, Good Work and Good Works.
Finally, all of you, be like-minded, be sympathetic, love one another, be compassionate and humble. 1 Peter 3:8
Even as the Son of Man came not to be served but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many. Matthew 20:28
So whether you eat or drink or whatever you do, do it all for the glory of God. 1 Corinthians 10:31
In the same way, let your light shine before others, so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father who is in heaven. Matthew 5:16
Beloved, do not believe every spirit, but test the spirits to see whether they are from God, for many false prophets have gone out into the world. 1 John 4:1
Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect. Romans 12:2
Whoever is wise, let him understand these things; whoever is discerning, let him know them; for the ways of the Lord are right, and the upright walk in them, but transgressors stumble in them. Hosea 14:9
Thanks for joining me. Come back next week for another service of Cowboy Church. Happy trails to you until we meet again.
No comments:
Post a Comment