Tom Perlman

Western Music - Cowboy Songs

Here's a fresh new cowboy voice singing fresh new cowboy songs. Perlman is relatively unknown on the cowboy music circuit, but his brand of contemporary and traditional songs are sure to catch on and bring him to the forefront of the genre.
"Maria Benitez" is an outstanding song written by rodeo poet Paul Zarzyski and Washington songwriter and singer John Hollis. Perlman performs it well. He also does a good job on Ian Tyson's already classic "The Gift," about Charlie Russell.
Other songs are Bob Nolan's "Tumbling Tumbleweeds," Michael Burton's "Night Rider's Lament," and Johnny Harris's "Voice of the Big Guitar." Perlman has a terrific vocal range and a melodious voice, and presents all of them very nicely.
Also included are three of his own songs, "Spirit of the West," "La Vida," and "The Branding," which includes a great line - "I'd never hang my hat somewhere the west wind didn't blow."
Of special interest is the song "Cowboy," written by Ron Fraser and Harry Shannon and recorded once by Eddie Arnold. This is a truly beautiful song that only a good singer can record well. It's great to see it resurrected on this album.
It's nice to have another superior cowboy singer to add to the company of talented cowboy singers we already enjoy.