CD-1
1) All the Way
Recorded: September 9, 1955.
Pioneers: Nolan, Perryman, Curtis, Farr Brothers, Brady
Instrumentation: D. Rice, leader; J. Sperling, drums; R. Bundock, bass; A. Hendrickson, B. Gibbons, guitar; B. Armstrong, piano; J. Maphis, banjo; J. Hilliard, harmonica.
Available Recording: “The Sons of the Pioneers” BFX 15071, 1982
2) Always Rollin’ Home
Recorded: Soundtrack of “Outpost of the Mounties” 1939 09 14 – Columbia / Starrett
Pioneers: Nolan, Spencer, Perryman, Farr Brothers and Brady. Nolan sang the solo parts.
Instrumentation: Perryman, K. Farr, guitar, H. Farr, violin, Brady, string bass.
Comment: In the film, Nolan used I’m a rollin’ stone, always rollin’ home as it was typed on the lyric card. On the card, stone was crossed out and home replaced it.
3) Annie, Dear, I’m Called Away (also known as Called Away)
Recorded: August, 1934 / Standard Radio Transcription – B 1679-A; Side A
Pioneers: Nolan, Slye, Spencer and Hugh Farr. Nolan sang the solo parts.
Instrumentation: Nolan, string bass; Slye, guitar; Hugh Farr, violin.
Available Recording: “Sons of the Pioneers Songs of the Prairie” BCD 15710 EI 1998
Comment: The words to this song have been in print since 1885 but Bob appears to have added the melody.[1]
4) Apple Squeezin’ Time
Recorded: April, 2002
Recording Artist: recitation by Wayne Austin Shrope
5) April
Recorded: “Bob Nolan’s Unrecorded Songs” by Dave Bourne, 2001
Instrumentation: all instruments are by Dave Bourne via multi-track recording.
6) At the Rainbow’s End
Recorded: 1937 12 16 ARC
Pioneers: Nolan, Slye, Perryman, Farr Brothers and Brady. Nolan sang the solo parts.
Instrumentation: Perryman and Karl Farr, guitar, Hugh Farr, violin, Brady, string bass.
Available Recording: “Columbia Historic Edition” FC 37439, 1982
7) Autumn Reverie (also known as Empty Arms)
Recorded: Undated home demo recording of Bob with his guitar.
Comment: This song was first published in 1954 as Empty Arms and then again in 1994 under the name Autumn Reverie.
8) Barnyard Jubilee
Recorded: September, 1935 / Standard Radio Transcription B 3063-A; Side MM. This selection was taken from the Teleways Transcription #166.
Pioneers: Nolan, Slye, Spencer, Farr Brothers. Nolan sang the solo parts.
Instrumentation: Nolan, string bass; Slye and K. Farr, guitar; H. Farr, violin
Available Recording: “Sons of the Pioneers Songs of the Prairie” BCD 15710 EI 1998
9) The Beauty of Your Smile
Recorded: “Bob Nolan’s Unrecorded Songs” by Dave Bourne, 2001
Instrumentation: all instruments are by Dave Bourne via multi-track recording.
10) Biscuit Blues
Recorded: 1940 Orthacoustic “Symphonies of the Sage”
Pioneers: Nolan, Spencer, Perryman, Farr Brothers and Brady. Brady sang the solo parts.
Instrumentation: Perryman and Karl Farr, guitar, Hugh Farr, violin, Brady, string bass.
11) Blue Prairie
Recorded: 1940 Orthacoustic “Symphonies of the Sage”
Pioneers: Nolan, Spencer, Perryman, Farr Brothers and Brady. Nolan sang the solo parts except for the words, Then a silent hush but no reply which Perryman sang.
Instrumentation: Perryman and Karl Farr, guitar, Hugh Farr, violin, Brady, string bass.
Available Recording: “The Sons of the Pioneers – The Essential Collection”, Soundies SCD 4147
12) The Boss is Hangin’ Out a Rainbow
Recorded: 1940 Orthacoustic “Symphonies of the Sage”
Pioneers: Nolan, Spencer, Perryman, Farr Brothers and Brady. Nolan sang the solo parts.
Instrumentation: Perryman and Karl Farr, guitar, Hugh Farr, violin, Brady, string bass.
Available Recording: “The Sons of the Pioneers – The Essential Collection”, Soundies SCD 4147
13) Bound for the Rio Grande
Recorded: 1940 Orthacoustic “Symphonies of the Sage”
Pioneers: Nolan, Spencer, Perryman, Farr Brothers and Brady. Nolan sang the solo parts.
Instrumentation: Perryman and Karl Farr, guitar, Hugh Farr, violin, Brady, string bass.
Available Recording: “Sons of the Pioneers – Symphonies of the Sage”, Soundies BS 808
14) A Broken Heart Waltz
Recorded: “Bob Nolan’s Unrecorded Songs” by Dave Bourne, 2001
Instrumentation: all instruments are by Dave Bourne via multi-track recording.
15) Bronco Pal
Recorded: Soundtrack of “Rio Grande” 1938 12 08 – Columbia / Starrett
Pioneers: Nolan, Perryman, Farr Brothers and Brady. An unidentified baritone is dubbed for Nolan’s solo parts.
Instrumentation: Perryman and Karl Farr, guitar, Hugh Farr, violin, Brady, string bass.
16) Campfires of Heaven
Recorded: 1940 Orthacoustic “Symphonies of the Sage”
Pioneers: Nolan, Spencer, Perryman, Farr Brothers and Brady. Perryman sang the solo parts.
Instrumentation: Perryman and Karl Farr, guitar, Hugh Farr, violin, Brady, string bass.
17) Chant of the Plains (I Need You) A
Recorded: September, 1935 / Standard Radio Transcription –B 3062-A; Side LL
Pioneers: Nolan, Slye, Spencer, Farr Brothers. Nolan sang the solo parts.
Instrumentation: Slye, K. Farr, guitar; H. Farr, violin; Nolan, string bass.
Available Recording: “Sons of the Pioneers Songs of the Prairie” BCD 15710 EI 1998
18) Chant of the Plains (I Need You) B
Recorded: (undated) 10-2-4 Ranch radio transcription, c. 1944.
Pioneers: Nolan, Spencer, Carson, Farr Brothers, Fisher. Martha Mears sang the solo.
Instrumentation: K. Farr, guitar; H. Farr, violin, Fisher, string bass.
Comment: Although the sound quality is extremely poor, I included this selection because it is the only one I found with only the melody line.
19) Chant of the Wanderer
Recorded: 1940 Orthacoustic “Symphonies of the Sage”
Pioneers: Nolan, Spencer, Perryman, Farr Brothers and Brady. Nolan sang the solo parts.
Instrumentation: Perryman and Karl Farr, guitar, Hugh Farr, violin, Brady, string bass.
Available Recording: “The Sons of the Pioneers – The Essential Collection”, Soundies SCD 4147
20) Chico Rotico
Recorded: Teleways Transcription #152, 1947-48.
Pioneers: Nolan, Spencer, Perryman, Brady, Farr Brothers. Nolan sang the solo parts.
Instrumentation: The Sons of the Pioneers and the Tune Twirlers.
Comment: I left in part of the introduction by Nolan to show the actual pronunciation of Chico Rotico. It is often misspelled as Chico lo Tico. Nolan definitely says Rotico.
21) Close to Heaven
Recorded: 1940 Orthacoustic “Symphonies of the Sage”
Pioneers: Nolan, Spencer, Perryman, Brady, Farr Brothers. Nolan sang the solo.
Instrumentation: Perryman and Karl Farr, guitar, Hugh Farr, violin, Brady, string bass.
Available Recording: Teleways Transcription #162, 1947-48.
22) Cody of the Pony Express
Recorded: 1940 Orthacoustic “Symphonies of the Sage”
Pioneers: Nolan, Spencer, Perryman, Brady, Farr Brothers. Perryman sang the solo and Brady recites the last verse.
Instrumentation: Perryman and Karl Farr, guitar, Hugh Farr, violin, Brady, string bass.
23) Cool Water
Recorded: August 8, 1945 RCA-Victor
Pioneers: Nolan, vocal; Spencer, vocal; Carson, vocal; Hugh Farr, violin, vocal; KarlFarr, guitar; Fisher, bass. Nolan sang solo parts and Carson sang, Water!
Instrumentation: P. Botkin, guitar, leader; R. Call, violin; G. Braunsdorf, bass; C. Roberts, steel guitar.
Available Recording: “Sons of the Pioneers – Wagons West”, BCD 15 640 DI, 1993.
24) Cottage in the Clouds
Recorded: 1940 Orthacoustic “Symphonies of the Sage”
Pioneers: Nolan, Spencer, Perryman, Brady, Farr Brothers. Perryman sang the solo part.
Instrumentation: Perryman and Karl Farr, guitar, Hugh Farr, violin, Brady, string bass.
25) Covered Wagon
Recorded: Undated home demo recording of Nolan with his guitar.
26) Cowboy Has to Sing, A
Recorded: 1940 Orthacoustic “Symphonies of the Sage”
Pioneers: Nolan, Spencer, Perryman, Brady, Farr Brothers. Brady sang the solo part.
Instrumentation: Perryman and Karl Farr, guitar, Hugh Farr, violin, Brady, string bass.
Available Recording: “The Sons of the Pioneers – The Essential Collection”, Soundies SCD 4147
27) Coyote’s Serenade
Recorded: 1940 Orthacoustic “Symphonies of the Sage”
Pioneers: Nolan, Spencer, Perryman, Farr Brothers and Brady. Nolan sang the solo parts.
Instrumentation: Perryman and Karl Farr, guitar, Hugh Farr, violin, Brady, string bass.
Available Recording: “Sons of the Pioneers – Symphonies of the Sage”, Soundies BS 808
28) Daddy’s on the Rainbow
Recorded: Undated home demo recording of Nolan, whistling, with his guitar.
Comment: The only available recording is a poor audiocassette with varying speeds.
29) Desolation
Recorded: “Bob Nolan’s Unrecorded Songs” by Dave Bourne, 2001
Instrumentation: all instruments are by Dave Bourne via multi-track recording.
30) Devil’s Great Grandson, The
Recorded: December 14, 1937, ARC
Pioneers: Nolan, Slye, Perryman, Farr Brothers and Brady. Nolan, Perryman and Slye each take a turn singing a verse finishing with another by Nolan, trio yodel ending the first and third refrains - a Slye solo yodel after the second and fourth refrains.
Instrumentation: Perryman and K. Farr, guitar; H. Farr, violin; Brady, string bass.
Available Recording: “Columbia Historic Edition” FC 37439, 1982
31) ¿Dónde esta el mio?
Recorded: “Bob Nolan’s Unrecorded Songs Vol. 2” by Dave Bourne, 2004
Instrumentation: all instruments are by Dave Bourne via multi-track recording.
32) Don’t Expect Me Home in the Morning
Recorded: “Bob Nolan’s Unrecorded Songs” by Dave Bourne, 2001
Instrumentation: all instruments are by Dave Bourne via multi-track recording.
33) Echoes from the Hills
Recorded: 1940 Orthacoustic “Symphonies of the Sage”
Pioneers: Nolan, Spencer, Perryman, Farr Brothers and Brady. Perryman sang the solo parts.
Instrumentation: Perryman and Karl Farr, guitar, Hugh Farr, violin, Brady, string bass.
34) Empty Arms
Recorded: “Bob Nolan’s Unrecorded Songs” by Dave Bourne, 2001
Instrumentation: all instruments are by Dave Bourne via multi-track recording.
CD - 2
1) Far Enchanted Isle
Recorded: September 25, 1957 RCA
Pioneers: Nolan, Perryman, Curtis; H. Farr, violin; K. Farr, guitar; Brady. Curtis sang the solo parts.
Instrumentation: J. Marshall, leader; R. Bain, guitar; C. Gotthoffer, harp; F. Carlson, drums; A. Shapiro, bass; H. Roberts, ukulele; R. Perissi, French horn; B. Lee, vocal.
Available Recording: “Westward Ho!” LPM-PR108, 1961
2) Five Little Miles
Recorded: Soundtrack of “Utah” 1945 03 21 - Republic / Rogers
Pioneers: Nolan, Spencer, Carson, Fisher, Farr Brothers. Nolan sang the solo part.
Instrumentation: The Pioneers plus the studio orchestra.
Comments: In the film the song was not sung all at once but in several segments throughout, including the finale. Three representative pieces have been patched together to give an idea of the whole song plus how it was adapted for the finale of the film.
3) The Flower I Blessed for You
Recorded: c. 1947-8.
Pioneers: Nolan, Spencer, Carson, Fisher and the Farr Brothers. Nolan sang the solo part.
Instrumentation: The Sons of the Pioneers plus The Tune Twirlers.
Available Recording: Teleways Transcription #149.
Comment: The song was renewed in 1974 as The Flower I Pressed for You. In this clip from the Teleways Transcription, I left in Nolan’s introduction which clearly says blessed.
4) Following the Sun All Day
Recorded: 1940 Orthacoustic “Symphonies of the Sage”
Pioneers: Nolan, Spencer, Perryman, Farr Brothers and Brady. Perryman sang the solo parts.
Instrumentation: Perryman and Karl Farr, guitar, Hugh Farr, violin, Brady, string bass.
Available Recording: “The Sons of the Pioneers – The Essential Collection”, Soundies SCD 4147
5) For the Love of You
Recorded: February 24, 1955 RCA
Pioneers: Nolan, Perryman, Spencer, H. Farr, K. Farr.
Instrumentation: D. Rice, Leader; B. Gibbons, electric guitar; R. Bundock, bass;
B. Armstrong, piano; R. Hansell, drums, vibes; J. Maphis, electric guitar.
Available Recording: F2-WB 1801, 20-6655B, 47-6655B
6) Frontiers
Recorded: Undated home demo recording of Nolan, whistling, with his guitar.
7) Grab Your Saddle Horn and Blow
Recorded: 1940 Orthacoustic “Symphonies of the Sage”
Pioneers: Nolan, Spencer, Perryman, Farr Brothers and Brady. Nolan sang the solo parts.
Instrumentation: Perryman and Karl Farr, guitar, Hugh Farr, violin, Brady, string bass.
8) Grey Time, The
Recorded: read by EM, February 14, 2004.
Comment: Because he couldn’t bear to attend the funeral of his best friend, this verse was Nolan’s gift to the widow of Lloyd Perryman. A title was provided by Calin Coburn.
9) Half Way ‘Round the World (A)
Recorded: March 17, 1944, for the 10-2-4 Ranch radio program.
Pioneers: Martha Mears sang the song as a solo with Sons of the Pioneers instrumental backup.
Instrumentation: Carson, Fisher, Farr Brothers plus The Tune Twirlers.
Comments: This first known version of the song is included here to illustrate Bob’s original intention of using the word vagrant, which was later changed to fragrant. Vagrant was a favorite word of Nolan’s.
There is also a puzzle here : it sounds like Perryman singing the “breeze” sound in the introduction. If that is so, it means the song was recorded before he was drafted in April of 1943 in anticipation of the time he would be away at war,[2] not while he was in Burma.
10) Half Way ‘Round the World (B)
Recorded: January 19, 1966 RCA
Pioneers: Lanham, guitar. Perryman sang the solo.
Instrumentation: P. Botkin, leader; P. Jolly, piano; M. Pohlman, E. Coleman, A. Hendrickson, guitar; T. Morgan, G. Fields, harmonica; D. Frost, drums.
Available Recording: “The Songs of Bob Nolan”, LPM / LSP 3554, 1966”
Comment: Perryman changed the original “vagrant” to “fragrant”.
11) Hangin’ Blues
Recorded: 1940 Orthacoustic “Symphonies of the Sage”
Pioneers: Nolan, Spencer, Perryman, Farr Brothers and Brady. Nolan sang the solo parts.
Instrumentation: Perryman and Karl Farr, guitar, Hugh Farr, violin, Brady, string bass.
12) Happy Cowboy
Recorded: 1940 Orthacoustic “Symphonies of the Sage”
Pioneers: Nolan, Spencer, Perryman, Farr Brothers and Brady. Perryman, Spencer and Nolan each take a turn singing the solo parts. The Farr Brothers are also featured.
Instrumentation: Perryman and Karl Farr, guitar, Hugh Farr, violin, Brady, string bass.
Available Recording: “The Sons of the Pioneers – The Essential Collection”, Soundies SCD 4147
13) Hasta la vista
Recorded: March 18, 1957 RCA
Pioneers: Nolan, Perryman, Curtis; H. Farr, violin; K. Farr, guitar; Brady. Nolan sang the solo.
Instrumentation: C. Atkins, leader; J. Maphis, electric guitar; M. Berry, drums; B. Dooley, bass.
Available Recording: “Westward Ho!” LPM-PR108, 1961
14) Have You?
Recorded: Undated home demo recording of Nolan with his guitar.
15) He Walks with the Wild and the Lonely
Recorded: 1979
No Pioneers: Nolan solo with studio backup.
Available Recording: “Bob Nolan – The Sound of a Pioneer”, Elektra, 1979.
16) Heaven is My Island
Recorded: “Bob Nolan’s Unrecorded Songs Vol. 2” by Dave Bourne, 2004
Instrumentation: all instruments are by Dave Bourne via multi-track recording.
17) Heavenly Aeroplane
Recorded: August 1934 Standard Radio Transcriptions B 1680; Side B
Pioneers: Nolan, Slye, Spencer and H. Farr. Nolan sang the solo parts.
Instrumentation: Slye, guitar; Farr, violin.
Available Recording: “Sons of the Pioneers Songs of the Prairie” BCD 15710 EI 1998
18) Hello ‘Way Up There