Wylie and the Wild West | Raven on the Wind

Published: May 27, 2011

It's always cool when some of the same people who back you up also produce your albums. You can count on immaculate production and some darn fine instrumental help to boot. On Wylie andthe Wild West's new CD, recorded at Sidekick Sound Studios in Nashville, we get just that – along with a bunch of catchy Wylie Gustafson originals and several he wrote with acclaimed Great Falls cowboy poet Paul Zarzyski.

Conrad native Gustafson is joined by producer Dennis Crouch on upright bass, engineer Mark Thornton on gut-string guitar, and mixer-man Larry Marrs on harmony vocals. Along for the ride are other Nashville pickers, the "Studio Cats": John Gardner, drums and percussion, Russ Pahl, a bunch of guitars and jaw harp, and Jeff Taylor, accordion and pianos. Oh, and Zarzyski gets credit for "Yahs."

As usual, singer/guitarist Gustafson's songwriting is evocative, and he varies the styles so there's always something new on the next cut. Right out of the chute, we get "Punchy," about a "half-horse, half-cow, half-Superman," with its slightly Creedence, cool guitar opening, and Wylie singing way down deep.

Next is the title tune, "Raven on the Wind," a country clip-clopper that rides out to the herd, as we enjoy the view from the swaying saddle. The next two were co-written with Zarzyski – the bluesy ballad "Circle," with its spooky, Ghost-Ridery feel and uplifting message, and the R&B-tinged "The Maestro." Wylie spits out the lyrics on this bewitching number, with its memorable hook and nice atmosphere.

And you gotta have a car song, of course, but it's Wylie, so he's ridin' instead on "Horseback Cadillac." The tune sports terrific rhythm and a cool guitar break that positively bubbles.

Gustafson and the fellas also pay tribute to the Stones, covering their "Rip This Joint." We get a little trademark Wylie yodelin' on "Hi-Line Polka" – a great dancer!

There're a couple belt-buckle shiners, too. Heck, it's all here.

Gustafson credits his early lovefor 60s and 70s music, coupled with his dad's favorite folk and cowboy songs, for stirring his songwriting pot. That, and hanging out with "some of the toughest ranahans in cowboydom" and taking a look at their music collections.

"It's an ever-eclectic mix of sounds and soul," he says, which to him defines the West. He pours this viewpoint into all his music, and what you get is some darn good stuff.

Visit the artist at www.wyliewebsite.com.

– Mariss McTucker