Wylie & The Wild West – Hooves Of The Horses

Wylie & The Wild West are in fine form once again on Hooves Of The Horses, with sixteen songs that capture the cowboy lifestyle even as it fades from modern popular culture.

“The Sky Above, The Mud Below” is a tale of Mexican horse thieves on the run originally written and performed by Tom Russell. “Saddle Broncs And Sagebrush” paints a vivid picture of everyday life from a cowboy’s perspective. Gustafson unleashes his trademark yodel on the galloping “Happy Rovin’ Cowboy”.

Gustafson’s big and smooth voice is showcased throughout. High points include originals such as the shuffling “MmmaMontana”, the horn-tinged “Manolito”, and the sad but beautiful meditation on death, “Marie”. A countrified cover of Buddy Holly’s “Everyday” also stands out, while the dulcet tones of the lovely “Rockabye Lullaby” add a tender touch to the album.