Review of Gene Autry : The Singing Cowboy, Chapter Two
This is the second volume of Autry songs pulled directly from film soundtracks, as opposed to his regular studio recordings. Covering 1937 to 1952, these 18 songs don't reach the musical high points of his straight records, but instead illustrate the symbiotic relationship between Autry's films and his music. Most of the cuts include vocal choruses and, well, dramatic, arrangements. Autry enthusiasts will appreciate many of these songs as "alternate takes"; each one is the title song to a different movie (yes, that is a whole lot of acting roles). The various spoken words and supporting characters do add a certain color to the record, and his warm voice can hardly disappoint. Not the place to start if you want to appreciate Autry the musician, but still an enjoyable look at Autry the consummate entertainer. --Marc Greilsamer

Users's Reviews - Gene Autry : "South of the Border is Gene's Back in the Saddle"
"SOUTH OF THE BORDER", was Gene's biggest movie hit, was closely identified with him as "BACK IN THE SADDLE" his theme song - was composed by Michael Carr and James Kennedy who never saw the Mexicans border. Varese Sarabande presents another album - "The Singing Cowboy, Chapter Two", as we saddle up again with this collection of music from film highlights such as the beautiful - "BLUE CANADIAN ROCKIES", "MEXICALI ROSE", "IT HAPPENED IN MONTEREY", "CAROLINA MOON", "SIERRA SUE", "THE LAST ROUND-UP" and "MULE TRAIN" - by 1937, Gene was voted the No. 1 Western-Star at the American box-office in the annual exhibitors poll...and by 1940 was No. 4 of all movie stars, right after Mickey Rooney, Clark Gable and Spencer Tracy, at that time in his career no one could come close or match his popularity.

Varese Sarabande and Gene have given his fans another winner, with this latest release as we head for "The Last Round-Up", which has become a classic and Gene's own personal favorite among his films...so cowboys and gals, spin this CD and enjoy the sagebrush and prairies once enjoyed by Gene and his trusted steed Champion!

Total Time: 33:06 on 18 Tracks...Varese Sarabande VSD-5909...(1998)

Your latest reviews - Gene Autry : "40 Historic Songs from America's Favorite Singing Cowboy"
The Gene Autry recordings keep surfacing and gathering plenty of steam with this latest release "THE ESSENTIAL GENE AUTRY"...the sound quality is excellent and nostalgic for the wranglers who grew up listening to "America's Favorite Singing Cowboy"...for the first time ever a 2-CD-Set covering his entire Columbia Records career, absolutely essential for all cowboys and gals...Gene's good guy image with catchy lyrics and beautiful melodies are pleasant and extremely calming...after listening these songs over and over, you are transported back in time when life was simpler and the good guys always won. Gene was the screen's first "Singing Cowboy", already well known in the late '20s as a radio and recording star. Autry began making films in 1934 and kept cranking them out except for a short visit with Uncle Sam in the United States Army Air during World War 2.

Ride down the trail to Melody Ranch and meet the only entertainer with five stars on the "Hollywood Walk of Fame". One each for radio, recordings, films, television and live appearances. The Autry Museum of Western Heritage is a world-class center devoted to preserving and interpreting the rich history and traditions of the American West...Gene maintained his own coterie of fine songwriters to keep him supplied with original tunes...his wondrously effective singing voice was warm, reassuring and nostalgic...somes marvelous recordings from Gene's early days in films...40 historic songs from his rise to superstardom in "horse-operas".

"TUMBLING TUMBLEWEEDS" and "BACK IN THE SADDLE AGAIN" were big Autry recordings and became movie titles...and "GHOST RIDERS IN THE SKY" became a classic for him and other recording artists...other highlights ~ SOUTH OF THE BORDER(DOWN MEXICO WAY), MEXICALI ROSE, THAT SILVER-HAIRED DADDY OF MINE, WHEN IT'S SPRINGTIME IN THE ROCKIES, BE HONEST WITH ME, DEEP IN THE HEART OF TEXAS, TAKE ME BACK TO MY BOOTS AND SADDLE, YOU ARE MY SUNSHINE, JINGLE JANGLE JINGLE, DON'T FENCE ME IN, HAVE I TOLD YOU LATELY THAT I LOVE YOU, GOODNIGHT IRENE, SIOUX CITY SUE, HOME ON THE RANGE, ON TOP OF OLD SMOKEY, BUTTONS AND BOWS, OLD CHISHOLM TRAIL, PETER COTTON TAIL..plus many, many more gave us such pleasure when we saw Gene on that big screen.

During my childhood I grew up listening to Gene Autry's Christmas music...there isn't a more special way to celebrate Christmas than hearing "Rudolph The Red-Nosed Reindeer" performed by Gene...now that I have my grandchildren, I want them to have the same wonderful memories that I experienced...this was good old fashioned Christmas spirit that the entire family loved and enjoyed...Gene Autry who was responsible for keeping one of the world's greatest Christmas traditions alive the "Hollywood Christmas Parade", when bad times surfaced and needed some assistance financially...it was Gene who came to the rescue as Johnny Grant (Honary Mayor of Hollywood) did whatever it took to keep the parade the class-A Holiday event from going under...drawing approximatley one million spectators along the parade route each year, Hollywood's biggest single-day event and the kick off for the Holiday Season...this was all from Gene's generous support and giving spirit.

By 1969 Gene's version of "RUDOLPH" had sold 6,500,000 copies and was the all-time top selling single for Columbia Records (the 1957 version, recorded for Gene's Challenge label, is included here)..."RUDOLPH" ranks as the second favorite Christmas song right behind Irving Berlin's "White Christmas".

But let's go back to the 1946, on a Thanksgiving weekend and a Gene rode tall in the saddle, and Santa Claus was right around the bend, heard the children excited chants of "HERE COMES SANTA CLAUS"...and a song was born from Gene and co-written by Oakley Haldeman...recorded on August 28th, 1947 and became an instant hit. Then in 1949 songwriter Johnny Marks composed a tune from a poem - "RUDOLPH, THE RED-NOSED REINDEER" many artist turned down the chance to record this classic, but Ina Autry, Gene's first wife loved the song and felt the children would love it too...she was right...and the rest my friends, is history...this Autry Collection is Essential for all fans of Country Music and Western Films...don't miss this one, you'll never regret it!

Total Time: 2-CD-Set ~ Sony/Columbia/Legacy 63779 ~ (1/11/2005)