Redd's CD Review
REDD STEWART - Golden West Cowboy
Ambridge Music, no number
Playing Time – 27:31
Songs – I Remember, Bimbo, Having Second Thoughts, Sunshine Over the Hill, My Home is the Dust of the Road, Tennessee Waltz, Banjo, Dreaming Again, Cold, Cold Heart, Talk to the Angels, Bonaparte’s Retreat
Dedicated to keeping the music of Redd Stewart alive, this album offers eleven songs recorded by the famous western swing musician between 1947-1974. Most famous as a vocalist with the well-known and popular Golden West Cowboys, Redd co-wrote (with fiddler/accordionist Pee Wee King) the hits “Tennessee Waltz,” “Bonaparte’s Retreat,” and “Slow Poke.” Of course, the former was also a big hit for Patti Page in 1950. The second hit launched Kay Starr to stardom. It might’ve been nice if the last of the three would’ve also been included on this compilation. The Golden West Cowboys appeared regularly on the Grand Ole Opry and on a regular Knoxville radio show. Their electric instrumentation and fancy outfits were a big hit at the Opry. Steel guitarist Roy Ayres once referred to Redd Stewart as “the glue that held the Golden West Cowboys together into a tight musical unit.” Other band hits were in 1952 with “Silver and Gold” (not included here) and in 1954 with Rod Morris’ “Bimbo” (included on this CD).
One must remember that post-war country music was striving to reach the pop market, and many of these Acuff-Rose songs are now considered as appealing “crossover” hits that sold well. Thanks to publisher Fred Rose, many of Hank Williams’ hits were polished and popularized. On this sampler, Redd sings Hank’s “Cold, Cold Heart.” Besides being a singer and songwriter, I didn’t realize that Redd was also a pianist, guitarist, and fiddler. And he’s the sole writer of “I Remember,” “Sunshine Over the Hill,” and “Dreaming Again” on this CD.
Henry Ellis Stewart was born on May 27, 1923 in Tennessee, and then the family moved to Louisville, Kentucky. Learning numerous instruments and dropping out of junior high, Redd had his own band (The Prairie Riders) by the time he was about 14. He joined the Golden West Cowboys in 1937 (when Eddy Arnold was vocalist). Drafted into the Army, Redd wrote “A Soldier's Last Letter,” which Ernest Tubb recorded in 1944. When Redd returned to the Golden West Cowboys at the end of WW II, he became the band’s vocalist, as Arnold had gone solo. Redd married and started a family in 1946. In 1947, the band moved to Louisville, Kentucky, and they had a show on WAVE-TV until 1957. Redd continued touring with Pee Wee, and he also appeared in various movies. On August 2, 2003, Redd Stewart died at the age of 80.
I would’ve liked this CD to be about twice as long with such other hits as “A Soldier’s Last Letter,” “Tennessee Tears,” “Tennessee Polka,” “Slow Poke,” “Silver and Gold,” “You Belong to Me,” “Busybody,” “Changing Partners,” and “Backward, Turn Backward.” At only 27.5 minutes, it’s over much too quickly and leaves us wanting more. Yet, it’s still a nice introduction to Redd Stewart, and the CD jacket includes lyrics and some splendid historic photos. I’m told that Redd's youngest son, Bill, took over his music business, and has plans for future releases including many of the songs mentioned above. In 1972, Redd Stewart was inducted as a charter member of the Nashville Songwriters Hall of Fame. Bandleader Pee Wee King was elected into the Country Music Hall of Fame in 1974, and a movement is currently in place to urge Redd Stewart’s inclusion also. See www.reddstewart.com for details.
Joe Ross rossjoe@hotmail.com
Staff writer, Bluegrass Now
Freelance writer, Bluegrass Unlimited
www.bluegrassnow.com
www.talentondisplay.com/joerosshome.html
March 2005
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