Page 1
Index


Take a spin with Golden Graham's choice album reviews

 

Colin, Carin and Evan Carin Mari and Pony Express

Old Log Barn

(Pony Express

 

At 14 years of age, Colorado native Carin Mari (Lechner) is one of the western movement's up and coming new stars. Carin has already achieved the 2004 Patsy Montana Yodeling Champion, Colorado CMA - Traditional Female Vocalist and Carin Mari onstage with Michael Martin Murphy Traditional Female Entertainer in the youth division and named 2006 Youth Entertainer of the Year. Carin's brothers 16 year-old Colin (mandolin/vocals) and 12 year-old Evan (bass guitar/vocals) make up Pony Express with dad Lee helping out on harmonica.

Western and country recording star Michael Martin Murphy has shown great interest in Carin's career. In 2002 he suggested that she learn to sing patsy Montana's hit "I Want To Be A Cowboy's Sweetheart" and then invited her to sing at his Singing Cowboy Ranch in Colorado. As a young teenager Carin already sings earnestly with conviction.

Carin Mari's third album Old Log Barn was released in September CD covercontaining 13 songs, two of which she has written herself, "Prairie Grass Dance" and the title cut. Murph contributes his own songs "Lost River" and "Close To The Land" telling of a cowboy and his wife's love of working the land. The album opens with Tom Russell's composition "Hallie Lonnigan" setting the stage for the whole album with a song of a woman's passion for nature and the reality of the open range. A somewhat amusing song is also found with the three siblings looking at how they preserve themselves when they "grow-up" with the Donnie Blanz song "Wannabe". Carin and the boys offer a top-notch version of the cowboy standard "Ghost Riders In The Sky" (Stan Jones) with Colin taking lead vocals.

An exemplary album with sparkling vocals and yodeling from a group of young western singers who are destined to go far. They are already drawing great interest on the western scene and can only go from strength to strength. So keep a look out for Carin Mari & Pony Express. Highly recommended…buy this album Old Log Barn!!! 
www.carinmarimusic.com 

Graham Lees Sept 2006