Cowboy Songs Four

Michael Martin Murphey rides at the front of the current Western music revival. As founder of Warner Western Records and originator of the popular West Fest concert series, the one-time pop star has done more than anyone in the '90s to bring greater attention to traditional Western music. With Cowboy Songs Four, the latest installment in a theme-album series that started in 1990, Murphey launches a new venture, WestFest Records. Over the album's 15 songs, Murphey regains his stature as a consummate singer of romantic Western ballads and story songs that explore the cowboy lifestyle. He also enlivens the album with a few Western-leaning pop songs, including a fine duet with Lyle Lovett on "Farther Down the Line." -- Michael McCall