The period from the early 17th century to the early 19th century is known as the time of the American Wild West or the American frontier. It was a time of mass migration across the American continent from East to West. It inspired many multi-media imaginations which often exaggerated the romance, violence, lawlessness and chaos of that time. Epic films were shot such as ‘The Man Who Shot Liberty Valance’ (with Gene Pitney singing the song of the same name), ‘Calamity Jane’ which spawned Doris Day‘s popular ‘Deadwood Stage’ and Frankie Laine‘s rendition of the title song from the classic Western film ‘High Noon’. Gun duels were a feature of The Wild West and many songs reflected this: Marty Robbins’ ‘El Paso’, Johnny Cash‘s ‘Don’t Take Your Guns to Town’ and an unusual song from a female point of view is Patti Page‘s ‘One Of Us’. The Aussie contribution is not about the American Wild West at all (Way Out West) but concentrates on the fly in fly out miners of our own West.

 

PLAYLIST

* The Man Who Shot Liberty Valance – Gene Pitney

* Deadwood Stage – Doris Day

* El Paso – Marty Robbins

* Don’t Take Your Guns To Town – Johnny Cash

* Way Out West – The Dingoes

* Indian Reservation – Don Fardon

* High Noon – Frankie Laine

* Mr Custer – Larry Verne

* Western Movies – The Olympics

* Ghost Riders In The Sky – Peggy Lee

* One Of Us – Patti Page

* The Good The Bad And The Ugly – Ennio Morricone