From Somewhere Out West

Bill Barwick
1995
Label: 
Barwick Voice and Music

The Round-Up, Winter 95;
Western Music Association

Bill Barwick has been working in the music field for many years, but this is only his second album. He has worked as a DJ and has done numerous narrations and commercials, which should tell you that his rich voice is mighty pleasing to the ear. It reminds me a little of Hoyt Axton’s, with traces of Tommy Faile now and then, but it’s his.

This new album is not all Western, but it’s all good music. Twelve selections are included, seven of which are Bill’s original compositions. One of them, "Quiet Old Cowboy," is the albums only cowboy poem. The other six are country tunes, two of which I grew fond of quickly, "I Got the Message" and "Northbound Highway."

One of the Western songs is a contemporary tune by Stan Rood called "Ride to the Sunset." The older, better-known songs include "Big Iron," "Ghost Riders in the Sky" and an easy going swing version of "Along the Navajo Trail." On "Colorado," Bill is joined by his pal, WMA’s #1 auto harpist, Roz Brown. Together, they do a great rendition of this beautiful song.

The instrumental back-up is mostly acoustic with an occasional steel guitar. It’s beautifully done. Scott Bennett and Daniel Jones deserve special credit for their work, but all the musicians are first rate. Roz joins Jim and Salli Ratts on harmony vocal, Ron Jones plays fiddle, Harry Bruckner plays bass and Joey DeLauro handles the percussion chores.

This album is available (tape or CD) from

Bill Barwick
PO Box 100852
Denver, CO 80250-0852


1-800-759-8255 PIN# 1-9-5-5-5

In the Walnut Valley Festival list of artists: