VA - Back in the Saddle, Western Songs Old & New (A Berni's Special Presentation) [2025] (6 x CDs)

SPECIAL PRESENTATION     A SUBTLE BLEND OF COUNTRY, SURF & TWANG

VA - Back in the Saddle, Western Songs Old & New (A Berni's Special Presentation) [2025] (6 x CDs)

Regular visitor and contributor Berni has offered up a fantastic 6-CD set of western tunes with an epic lineup for your listening pleasure.  

VA - Back in the Saddle (A Berni's Special Presentation) is a true musical journey through the rugged landscapes of western, country, surf, and twang. With 6 CDs and 132 tracks spanning classic cowboy ballads, cinematic Spaghetti Western themes, and modern outlaw country, this compilation is a wild ride through genres that define storytelling through music.

Kicking off with ABC Orchestra’s “The Lone Ranger (William Tell Overture)”, the album starts with a grand, heroic flair, setting the tone for adventure. This orchestral piece is a classic fanfare, instantly recognizable and symbolic of galloping across the frontier. The journey quickly shifts into the timeless Gene Autry classic, “Back in the Saddle Again”, bringing in the warm, traditional country sound that has shaped generations.

Throughout the compilation, listeners will find classic country legends like Marty Robbins (“Big Iron”), Sons of The Pioneers (“Tumbling Tumbleweeds”), and Roy Rogers & Dale Evans (“Happy Trails”), all embodying the nostalgia of cowboy ballads and western storytelling. These songs capture the soul of classic western music, fueled by steady acoustic guitars, heartfelt lyrics, and rich harmonies.

But this album doesn’t just live in the past, it bridges the old and the new. Modern artists like Dean Brody (“Cattleman’s Gun”) and Dylan Smucker (“Spirit of the Buffalo”) bring a contemporary outlaw country feel, weaving raw narratives with intense, driving beats. The blend of past and present creates a dynamic listening experience, where twang meets storytelling and adventure.

Then there’s the unmistakable influence of Spaghetti Western soundtracks, thanks to Ennio Morricone’s masterpieces (“The Good, The Bad and The Ugly” & “A Fistful of Dollars”), along with tributes from artists like Los Plantronics (“Hang ‘Em High”) and Cadillac Hitmen (“El Gringo Muerte”). These tracks are cinematic, evocative, and built on reverb-heavy guitar licks that transport listeners straight into a dusty saloon showdown.

And let’s not forget the surf-inspired contributions; bands like The Hellbenders (“Gunfight at the OK Coral”), Federale (“Rattlesnake Gulch”), and The Eliminators (“El Borracho”) fuse western themes with driving surf rock rhythms, adding another unexpected layer to the mix. The result? A refreshing take on the western genre, adding shimmering guitar tones and upbeat tempos that contrast beautifully with slow-burning cowboy ballads.

Closing out the compilation series is Willie Nelson’s “The Border”, a reflective piece that feels like the perfect sunset moment; a slow, thoughtful conclusion to an exhilarating ride through the wild frontier.

Whether you’re drawn to classic cowboy tunes, cinematic western scores, or gritty outlaw country, this collection delivers a cohesive yet diverse musical experience that celebrates the essence of the wild west. So saddle up because this ride is one for the ages. (Berni)

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Track lists

CD1

01 ABC Orchestra - The Lone Ranger (William Tell Overture) 1:15

02 Gene Autry - Back in The Saddle Again 2:36

03 Al Caiola - Bonanza 2:17

04 Dean Brody - Cattleman's Gun 4:10

05 Cosmonauti - For A Few Dollars More 2:25

06 Dean Owens - New Mexico 3:14

07 Ennio Morricone - The Good, The Bad and The Ugly (Intro) 2:42

08 The Driftin' Outlaw Band - El Muerto 4:02

09 Dylan Smucker - Spirit of The Buffalo 3:14

10 The Jars - Mexican Lowrider 4:08

11 Unknown - Changing Channels 1:09

12 Frankie Laine - Rawhide 2:07

13 The Hellbenders - Gunfight at The OK Coral 2:25

14 Los Plantronics - Hang 'Em High 1:29

15 Marques Morel - Cactus Blues 5:35

16 O Boi Solitário - Estrela Solitária 2:23

17 Marty Robbins - Big Iron 3:58

18 Rev Hank - Tinajas Atlas 2:13

19 Sons of The Pioneers - Tumbling Tumbleweeds 2:40

20 Kim - La Grande Traverse 2:27

21 Riders in The Sky With Asleep at The Wheel - Dusty Skies 3:05

22 Roy Rogers & Dale Evans - Happy Trails 3:01

CD2

01 Dusty Cowshit - Intro 0:35

02 Al Caiola - The Magnificent Seven 2:04

03 Al Dexter & His Troopers - Pistol Packin' Mama 2:47

04 The Apaches - A Horse Named Whiskey 2:48

05 Calexico - Ballad of Cable Hogue 3:32

06 The Barbwires - La Caja Del Muerto 3:40

07 Bill Hayes - The Ballad of Davy Crockett 2:25

08 Bradpios IV - Titoli 2:47

09 Crooks - My First Gun 3:30

10 Dominic Frontiere & Alan Alch - Branded Theme Song 0:52

11 Cadillac Hitmen - El Gringo Muerte 2:38

12 Dean Owens - She Was A Raven 3:25

13 The Derangers - Rio Sangre 3:42

14 Emmylou Harris - Pancho and Lefty 4:44

15 Die Zorros - Zorro Rettet Ru?land 2:30

16 Eagles - Doolin' Dalton (Instrumental) 0:48

17 Eagles - Outlaw Man 3:35

18 Federale - Rattlesnake Gulch 2:15

19 Frankie Laine - Mule Train 2:37

20 Greg Townson - Trailblazin' 2:37

21 The Lennerockers - Wells Fargo Trail 2:54

22 The Moe Greene Specials - A 1000 Dollar Ride, Pt. II 3:45

23 Gene Autry - South of The Border (Down Mexico Way) 2:54

24 LaKeith Stanfield - We Ain’t No Nincompoop (Skit) 0:09

CD3

01 Jenna Paulette - Home on The Range (Intro) 0:44

02 Gene Autry - Home on The Range 2:40

03 The Gunsmoke Sinners - Where The Widow Raves 4:30

04 Hank Crane - Desert Sun 4:32

05 The Hellbenders - Have A Good Funeral, My Friend 2:25

06 Bill Monroe - Muleskinner Blues 2:45

07 Los Banditos - Mit Jesus Durch St. Petersburg 3:25

08 Hank Sundown & The Roaring Cascades - Foggy Mountain 2:52

09 El Santo Nada - Viva La Revolucion! 2:29

10 Johnny Cash - Don't Take Your Guns to Town 3:00

11 The Langhorns - The Vice of Killing 4:55

12 Jordan Minor - The Ballad of William Bonney 4:00

13 Los Coronas - Fuerte Comansi 3:14

14 Jenny Don't and The Spurs - Queen of The Desert 5:19

15 Los Lobos Featuring Antonio Banderas - Cancion Del MariacHi 2:06

16 O Boi Solitário - Por Um Punhado De Latas 3:32

17 LeAnn Rimes - Cattle Call 3:09

18 I Fantomatici - La Legge Del Dollaro 2:04

19 Michael Martin Murphey - The Yellow Rose of Texas 3:00

20 The Neptones - Majestic (La Messa Grande) 3:00

21 Roy Rogers - Don't Fence Me In 2:49

22 Jenna Paulette - Home on The Range (Outro) 0:26

CD4

01 The Cadillac Hitmen - El Gringo Muerte (snippet) 0:04

02 ABC Orchestra - The Rifleman 1:49

03 Gene Autry & Jimmy Long - That Silver Haired Daddy of Mine 2:47

04 El Diablitos - Badges 4:32

05 Billy Strings - Seven Weeks in County 4:16

06 The Derangers - Twang 'Em High! 2:52

07 Chingon feat. Patricia Vonne - Severina 3:01

08 The Fentones - The Mexican 2:32

09 Hugh O'Brian - Legend of Wyatt Earp 2:42

10 Impala - Choctaw 2:35

11 The Johnnys - Black Bart 2:22

12 Los Corona - Hacha De Guerra 3:42

13 Kevin Serey - Dilbone Massacre 4:42

14 The Plantronics - Los Diablos 2:55

15 The Number 9 Blacktops - Tijuana, Mexico 3:52

16 Marty Robbins - El Paso 4:21

17 Reidar & Quintones - El Flaco 2:29

18 North Country Gentlemen - The Ballad of Jesse James 4:10

19 Orville Nash - Fast Gun 1:52

20 Twin Tones - Bandidos 2:05

21 Sons of The Pioneers - Cool Water 2:54

22 Gunsmoke Outro - Gunsmoke Outro 0:22

CD5

01 The Apaches - Pistoleros 1:58

02 Crooks - The Hunted 4:44

03 Barbacoa - Western Medicine 1:36

04 Riders in The Sky - Ride Cowboy Ride 2:06

05 The Five Outsiders - Ridin' South 2:32

6 Ghoultown - Gunslinger 3:16

07 The Eliminators - El Borracho 4:44

08 Johnny Western - The Ballad of Paladin 2:10

09 The Man From RavCon - Three Days From Durango 3:13

10 Hillbilly Rawhide - A Balada Do Homem Morto 2:19

11 The Kilaueas - A Song Called Horse 2:50

12 Nicolette & The Nobodies - Bites The Dust 4:56

13 Los Tiki Phantoms - Winchester 2:13

14 Patsy Montana & The Prairie Ramblers - I Want to Be A Cowboy's Sweetheart 3:06

15 The Oddballs Band - Sin Afeitar Y Callado 2:04

16 The Dangaleros - Aimlessly Moseyin' Along 3:43

17 The Shanes - Pistoleros 2:28

18 Tex Ritter - High Noon (Do Not Forsake Me) 2:47

19 The Tormentos - El Justiciero 2:47

20 Bob Wills & His Texas Playboys - Stay A Little Longer 2:49

CD6

01 Leon Rausch With Asleep at The Wheel - Texas Playboy Theme 0:54

02 Gene Autry - Don't Fence Me In 2:34

03 Charlie Daniels - I'm an Old Cowhand (From The Rio Grande) 3:31

04 Max Steiner & The Sons of The Pioneers - The Searchers (Main Title) 1:34

05 Arlo Guthrie - When The Cactus is in Bloom 2:20

06 Brian Setzer - Malaguena 4:20

07 Eagles - Doolin' Dalton 3:30

08 Dean Owens - Spirito 1:14

09 Hold Fast - Brody's Lament 2:41

10 El Diablitos - La Danza De Los Muertas 2:29

11 The Heavy Horses - Pale Rider 3:41

12 Patricia Vonne - Viva Bandolera 4:15

13 The Helnore Highwater Band - Outlaw Man 3:00

14 Ennio Morricone - A Fistful of Dollars 2:56

15 Kevin Deal - A Reckoning 5:10

16 Hillbilly Rawhide - Bandito (Siga Adelante) 3:03

17 Mike McClure - Outlaw's Prayer 3:45

18 Los Plantronics - Surf and A 45 3:16

19 Nanci Griffith - Night Rider's Lament (With Don Edwards) 3:57

20 The Moe Greene Specials - Quintana Sixteen 2:24

21 Willie Nelson - The Border 5:09

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Music weaves itself into the fabric of our emotions, dances through the corridors of memory, and whispers to the soul of who we are. Sharing these stories deepens the connection, turning the experience into something timeless and profound.

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