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The second installment of Bear Family's epochal Tex Ritter anthology picks up the story in December 1947, and closes in 1954. Tex Ritter was now one of the biggest stars of stage, screen, and records... truly one of the most familiar faces in American entertainment. He recorded pop songs, childrens albums which remain popular to this day, and country songs, but above all he cut western songs... some of the most durable western songs ever recorded.

This 4-CD set includes his recordings of Pecos Bill, Rock And Rye, Deck Of Cards (and the McCarthy era sequel Red Deck Of Cards), The Pledge of Allegiance, The Eyes Of Texas, Big Blue Diamonds, as well as two songs by country legends, Johnny Horton's Coal Smoke, Valve Oil And Steam and Hank Williams' Wearin' Out Your Walkin' Shoes. It also includes Tex Ritter's original version of Let Me Go, Devil (later a hit as Let Me Go, Lover). And of course, this anthology includes all versions of Tex Ritter's greatest hit, High Noon (Do Not Forsake Me), the original Capitol recording, the overdubbed Capitol recordings, and the British recording. A career moment for Tex Ritter, and still one of the most hypnotic and compelling western ballads ever recorded.

The backing musicians include the superb Merle Travis on peak form as well as the Les Baxter Orchestra, and the cream of west coast sessionmen, such as Speedy West, Harold Hensley, and Cliffie Stone. Many of the songs on this anthology became classics that formed the core of Tex Ritter's show until the close of his illustrious career.

This set includes a total of 111 recordings, 19 of them unissued, as well as a book by Packy Smith and many rare and unpublished photos.

Track Listing