This trio is producing western music that is new and exciting but sounds like the cowboy stars of yesterday. The presentation of songs is clean sounding with very skillful musicianship and blends of smooth, rich sounds giving a "white hat" feel to it all. The song "Amigo," about a boy and his young horse, is inspiring for anyone who has thought of life being as simple as having a horse as a friend. Dave Jackson's bass playing is very good and is foundation for the picking styles of guitarist \ mandolinist, Raul Reynoso. Mike Fleming, the lead vocalist, is an excellent guitarist as well as playing rhythm and occasional accordion.
The choice of material makes this a great recording for any collection and especially for those wanting to hear great cowboy music. Ten of the twelve songs were written or co-written by guitarist , Mike Fleming. There is a train song for cowboys pining for Texas and the most interesting song is "Gypsy Cowboy Band " where Raul really shows his skill as a gypsy jazz guitarist. Wild Places gives an honest blend to new music with rich heritage sound.
Rope Burns Jan/Feb 97
It’s always a treat to hear an album by a new group, and when that group has outstanding talent, it’s a rare and very special treat indeed. Here is just such a group. This is their first project and it’s first rate.
You already know Mike Fleming, lead singer with the group and formerly with the Lobo Rangers. He composed all but one of the album’s twelve songs. His work is widely recognized as among the most innovative in Western music. His compositions have been recorded by the Lobo Rangers, Craig Chambers and Don Edwards and the list will grow.
Mike is accompanied by Dave Jackson on bass (he sings a great bass, too) and Raul Reynoso on lead guitar and mandolin. Both are superb musicians. I saw New West perform at Big Bear last summer and they delighted the audience. If you haven’t seen them in person, look for and opportunity. It’s well worth it.
The album contains six songs Mike recorded with the Lobo Rangers including "Sometimes This Old Cowboy Gets the Blues" and the beautiful "My Only Love" plus six new ones. The one he didn’t write is a great, lightly swinging instrumental, "Montana Skies" by Raul. The other instrumental in the collection is a terrific Latin guitar piece, "Vaquero," which Mike wrote for Raul to play.
Since I had heard some of the selections before, I was mostly attracted to the new material. The opener is a delightful, upbeat tune, "Pretty Cowgirl," and it gets the album off to a great start. Another favorite is "Amigo" with its great lyrics, melody and instrumental solos. "Below the Kinney Rim" is another great new one, as is the quiet title song.
The fine new album is available for $17 CD, $12 tape, postpaid, from New West, 27916 Palmetto Ridge, Santa Clarita, CA 91354.
Cowboy Magazine
This is a new western trio that’s just barely stretchin’ their coltish legs on the western music scene. The foundation of the group is lead singer and songwriter Mike Fleming, who was formerly with the Lobo Rangers. Mike is a creative and perceptive songwriter, and his original western songs are well-written, entertaining, and interesting. Further, each one sounds like itself. He doesn’t just write different variations of the same old tunes, beats, and formulas.
The other trio members are Dave Jackson, on acoustic bass, accordian, and vocals, and Raul Reynoso, on lead guitar, mandolin, and vocals.
There are eight original Fleming songs here, plus two collaborations (both with cowboy poet and songwriter Les Buffham), and two terrific instrumentals inspired by the words of Wallace Stegner ("Montana Skies") and Cormac McCarthy ("Vaquero").
"Stampede" is the strongest song on the album. It has high-action, a great tune, and tells a compelling story. Another good song is "Below the Kinney Rim," which Les Buffham helped write. "Hey Conductor" is a lively swing tune and "Sometimes This Old Cowboy Gets the Blues" is, you guessed it, a blues tune. Another upbeat and catchy song, perhaps the most fun of the entire selection, is "Gypsy Cowboy Band," about gypsies and cowboys making music together.
This album is an excellent first effort.
New West Music, 27967 Palmetto Ridge, Santa Clarita, CA 91354: CD($15) or cassette($12) plus $2 handling, 12 songs.