Marty Robbins- Gunfighter Ballads & Trail Songs, 1959
Label: Columbia
Producer: Don Law
On April 7, 1959, Marty Robbins entered a Nashville studio, and in the span of just one day, recorded an album that would captivate country fans for decades and forever change his legendary career. One of the most diverse and peerless vocal stylists in the genre’s history, Robbins had already established himself as top-rate country star, crowning the charts with such beloved classics as “A White Sport Coat (and a Pink Carnation)”, “The Story of My Life”, and others. But it was this flawless collection of Western musical dramas which elevated Robbins’ career to a new level and brought him his signature song, “El Paso”. Knowing that American pop culture still had a thirst for the cowboy tales that icons like Gene Autry and Roy Rogers had immortalized in the 30s and 40s, Robbins tapped into that mystical Western spirit and delivered what many will argue is the greatest concept album in country music history. With an expressive, pure register that will never be matched, Robbins’ voice was perfectly suited to bring to life the rich Western imagery and fascinating characters which make up these songs. They comprise Robbins’ finest moments as a vocalist and storyteller, and clearly connected with the musical audience of the late 50s. Gunfighter Ballads & Trail Songs went on to become a Grammy winning, cross-over sensation, with “El Paso” topping both the country and pop radio charts, further solidifying Robbins as one of country music’s preeminent superstars as the 60s dawned.
Supported by crisp, simple musicianship and the haunting harmonies of Tompall Glaser & The Glaser Brothers, Robbins’ vocals throughout the record will completely hypnotize you and the distinct, imaginative lyrics will likewise enthrall you. So dramatically detailed, you’ll find yourself feeling like a wide-eyed child again, hanging on every word as these stories progress. The self-written “Big Iron”, which reached No. 5 in 1960, is the perfect example of this. As Robbins tells the fast-moving tale of an outlaw ranger who wanders into a Western town to challenge its most notorious cowboy, his thrilling vocal magically captures every second of urgency leading up to the impending battle, as well as the glorious yet ominous spirit which follows the story’s deadly conclusion. As was often the case in Western lore, death is typically an inevitable finale for many of these characters. Perhaps no song exudes that theme and the classic country contradiction of beautiful devastation better than the stunning “They’re Hanging Me Tonight”. It’s one of the most beautifully emotive performances I’ve ever heard, and a tremendous example of Robbins’ gift to express such stunning sadness. As the song progresses, the listener will simultaneously find their heart aching for the character while further appreciating Robbins’ talent as his voice delves deeper into feelings of shame, loneliness and desperation.
The record is filled with a number of classic cowboy standards throughout, with the interpretations Robbins unveiled here now classics in their own right. Among them are the Sons of the Pioneers’ epic, “Cool Water”, which displays an amazing harmonic blend between Robbins and the supporting Glaser family, as well as other traditional epics like “Utah Carol”, “The Strawberry Roan”, and “Billy the Kid”. The contemporary material which made its first appearances on the album were superb compliments to the old proven landmarks, with tracks like the Glasers’ “Running Gun” upholding the classic spirit and suspense of its predecessors. As mentioned earlier, many of these pieces offer a fatal ending, but there’s an almost delightful charm resonating from these otherwise somber tales. There’s a cautionary tone lying underneath, but overall they serve as fascinating tributes to the courage and romantic albeit reckless devotion of these cowboy characters, all virtues that helped define the spirit of the Western era.
While Robbins was always an astute interpreter of outside material, he was also one of his generation’s most impressive songwriters, and those skills are showcased magnificently here as well. “The Master’s Call” demonstrates his depth as a writer and performer, even when within the strict confines of a concept album. The composition is an eerie and inspired tale of spiritual rebirth. It takes a truly gifted artist to effectively tell such a layered, multi-dimensional tale in a three-minute song, but Marty pulls it off masterfully. In an incredible plot twist, the outlaw character in the song comes face to face with his maker and inevitably chooses to change his ways. Once again, Robbins uses his far-reaching voice to echo a vast range of emotions. There’s an initial rebellious disrespect for authority which soon transforms into fear, desperate vulnerability, and finally a peaceful sense of redemption.
Of course, there’s no greater testament to Robbins’ talent here than “El Paso”, the undeniable cornerstone of his career. That’s an impressive stature considering the enormity of his catalog, spanning three decades and encompassing over 100 singles, of which more than sixty reached the country top twenty. The song remains the standard for country music story songs. Much like a timeless literary or theatrical classic, it matters not how many times you’ve heard the piece. It’s a timeless story that will still capture your imagination as if it were your first time hearing it. The ill-fated romance of Feleena and our narrator has endured in the hearts of music fans for more than six decades. The illuminating melody and vivid story setting is burned into our memories, and Robbins’ piercing, cinematic narrative remains as vibrantly beautiful as any performance in any genre of music, ever. It is just one of many great songs on this album, but it is the record’s undeniable centerpiece. This song, this album and the man behind them are all American music treasures. No music lover’s library should be without Gunfighter Ballads & Trail Songs. It’s a landmark masterpiece that will entertain listeners for generations to come.
Track Listing
- “Big Iron” (Marty Robbins)
- “Cool Water” (Bob Nolan)
- “Billy the Kid” (Traditional)
- “A Hundred and Sixty Acres” (David Kapp)
- “They’re Hanging Me Tonight” (James Low, Art Wolpert)
- “Strawberry Roan” (Curley Fletcher)
- “El Paso” (Robbins) *Single Release 1959
- “In the Valley” (Robbins)
- “The Master’s Call” (Robbins)
- “Running Gun” (Tompall Glaser, Jim Glaser)
- “The Little Green Valley” (Carson Robison)
- “Utah Carol” (Traditional)
The 706 
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