The Western Song

           There are only a few songs that really turn back the time, as if they were recorded in that time at that exact place.  Watching great classic western movies as a kid with my Dad I always noticed how amazing the theme songs were.    The tune would repeat over and over again in my head throughout the day.  It had longevity.  Of course you could say music was a lot better back then and I would agree with you to some extent.  But what composers and musicians instilled into these amazing songs was the dust, the sagebrush, the cold wind on your face of the old western harshness and beauty.

          Luckily we had great American actors like John Wayne, " Courage is being scared to death but saddling up anyway. " and Clint Eastwood, " Ever notice how you come across somebody once in a while you shouldn't have messed with? That's me."   Some of the toughest men to grace the screen are perfect representations of how tough people of the old west once were.

• One of my personal favorite theme songs is, "The Good, The Bad,  The Ugly - Ecstasy of Gold". 
• Here's another version with a live symphony "The Good, The Bad, The Ugly - Ecstasy of Gold Symphony"

      This song written by Ennio Morricone is one of the best.  When you think of a western movie, you think of this song.    The true passion of the open range,  the freedom and the death.   How do they come up with such amazing representations of the old west?  One day when freedom is raw and un-abided, music will be made like this again.  Music with such feeling, such "visual sound" that it makes it possible to see the old west when you close your eyes.   One day strong, larger then life actors will reemerge and as Johnny Cash said, "When a Man comes around."

Thanks for reading.