I had all 3 albums that make up most of this CD...in the late 1950's /early 1960's. Marty was in great voice; the arrangments are superb...and, if you can listen to these bittersweet, haunting ballads without having your heartstrings plucked...and, eyes misting up..you are stone dead. These are about another time and another place...and,one where Life was often harsh, often all-too-short, but, it was lived full-up, not talked about and analyzed ad nauseum. This time may have not have existed as Marty sings about it, but the strength and purity of the messages are timeless. Oh, yes...for the secularists out there: there are some religious aspects in some of the songs. But, having been in Montana and the Dakotas, you can almost feel a Presence there.

This makes a great musical backdrop for the gathering around the chuck wagon after a day of Cowboy Action Shooting.

Thanks to a friend who asked "who was it that sang El Paso?" has prompted me to take the opportunity to rediscover, after more than 30 years, a singer who put the 'Western' in Country Music. Anyone who enjoys Country and Western should not be without a copy of this marvellous collection of sounds and images of the American 'wild' west. This is a truly classic collection that gives you a story with every song from an exceptional talent singing with a purity that is rare. His gunfighter ballads are the stuff of dreams that transport the listener to the Old West with 'El Paso', 'Big Iron' and 'Cool Water' to name but a few in a selection brimming with great songs.

This is truly great value and is well worth a purchase that will bring you hours of pleasure. I strongly recommend it! Buy it and like me you will not be disappointed.

Postscript:
If you would like to add other albums to your collection, then you cannot go far wrong by choosing compilations such as "The Drifter" which include, amongst others, the amusing 'Cowboy in a Continental Suit' and a saloon showdown in the superb 'Mr Shorty'. Marty's voice suited most kinds of music and you will find in "The Essential Marty Robbins" with its Rock-A-Billy, Hawaiian and even Jazz-influenced music, the versatility that make it almost impossible to choose favourites.