Born in 70 my dad played them religiously after he got back from Vietnam!! He got my guitar autographed by the whole band. In my opinion he's my king of the cowboys. My hero and mentor!!!!!
Say good buy the king of one of the very best writing and singing troubadours I have ever had the great pleasure to spend hundreds of hours listening to and watching a movie in my mind for every song you sang. They were ALL so great and so real! In the mid 1970's through, well even today, I loved The Amazing Rhythm Aces and Russel Smith's smooth and haunting singing style. They damned near defined my life with their wonderful original music, lyrics and style back then. I had a good friend drive about 500 miles to see me one summer in an old 1963 Chevy pickup. He was on vacation so I took vacation too, and we had a week of drinkin' and chasing women and having wild and good ol' fun time. Hell, it was legendary, people back in the city still talk about it whenever I go back for a day or two. Man, I don't know how I lived through those days! He brought a tape of the Aces up with him and turned me on to their music andright from the start I was a huge fan . Well, that good friend is gone now, and I often think about us and, that's when I start listening to Rhythm Aces again. Just the other day I heard Russel Smith died. My heart sank and I felt like I had the wind kicked out of me!All of my friends and girl friends from back in that time told me I was going to die young. Because I was so wild and such a hardcore do-everything-bad-for-ya kind of a guy. Hell I even told myself I wouldn't live to see 30, but here I am, retired and getting old. All of my heroes and friends are gone and more leaving me all the time. I guess that the good people go first and leave all of us reprobates for last! Anyway, I haven't changed too much, I'm still a hard ass and a hardcore. I guess I'm too old now to change now and it probably really wouldn't make much difference anyway. So long Russel, I'll never forget you and the Aces, and I'll keep listening and dreaming for as long as I can buddy. Thanks for all of the great music, I surely loved it and it did really help many times along the long, long ride.
Russel Smith is one of the best wordsmiths in the business. His voice along with the great guitar make ARA one of the best bands ever. I have been a fan since the mid 70s.
Both of the versions of this song work, the original of a young man smirking at the old ways of truth and honor, and as an old man seeing what we have lost.
In memory of an incredible man HAROLD MACARDLE. My best friend..his son.. has his father's eyes, his smile..his giving heart.. excepting people without judgement. His hugs melt the worst of days. His smile warms a room. He walks in his father's footsteps and honors his legacy. As he turns 51 this year..his dad would be SO proad. &.sending HUGS FROM HEAVEN.
In memory of an incredible man Harold mcardle. His son, my best friend in the whole world.. has his smile, his eyes, his father's giving heart. He excepts everyone without judgement. His smile warms a room, his hugs melt the worse of days away. He walks in his fathers footsteps...and honours his legacy. ,
I also prefer the "Stacked Deck" version of not only King Of The Cowboys but every song on the album. Have been a fan as a musician to the melodies, harmonies and most lyrics written by H Russell Smith and his versions of other artists songs especially the first two albums. Amazing Grace (Used To Be Her Favorite Song), If I Just Knew What To Say, Out Of The Snow, I'll Be Gone, Dancing The Night Away, Life's Railway To Heaven, The Beautiful Lie, Who Will The Next Fool Be, Hit The Nail On The Head, The "Ella B"....... This particular Band was truly a remarkable group of musicians together in my humble opinion. You Said You Didn't Love Me Say You Lied...Break is over!!!
This song was written about Roy Rogers in case you didn't catch that. I asked Russell about it. Butch wrote and originally sang the song. The third verse was added in memory of Butch after he died if I remember right. It wasn't on the original album.
What does it mean when it says "Chained to a life He doesn't lead" and "You told the truth You were always ready Whether with your gun Or with your hand It was lies" ?
I prefer the version from the debut album, Stacked Deck. It had the advantage of having Barry Byrd Burton on lead guitar, and he was the best guitarist this band ever had.
+David Bergin Both versions great! But, I prefer the extra verse and subtle vocal changes. But, you are correct in stating that Mr. Burton was a great player. Not talking Hughie Thomasson great here, but his timing was impeccable.
Yeah, me too. Not to mention the original was bolder. It seems like he must have added the additional verses to soften it up. I think "chained to a life he doesn't need" sums it all up nicely.
+royboy56100 Yes! I actually had it all along. It's from 1994 CD Ride Again. They added a verse after the death of a band member I think. Stacked Deck only has the 3 verses. Speaking of Ride Again..it has a very funky version of 3rd Rate romance which I don't care for, but my brother likes. Too each his own, but I prefer the original version. Have a couple of live ARA's CD's, but wish King of the Cowboys was on one of them. A truly heart felt classic! All of their great early work is classic, but I would actually say that Out of the Blue is my favorite ARA's CD.
