Pistol Packin' Mama/Spin of the Wheel

• Artist: Hoyt Axton
• Rating:
• Release Date: October 13, 1998
• Total Time: 26:28
• Type: Compilation (best of), Lyrics are included with the album
• Genre: Country

Review

This import CD is a reissue of Hoyt Axton's third and fourth studio albums released on his own Jeremiah label. Pistol Packin' Mama, from 1982, is dominated by remakes of well-known songs like the title track, "I Walk the Line," and "Don't Fence Me In." Axton's songwriting contribution is at an all-time low, and one of the few new originals is the annoying "Fearless the Wonder Dog," the melody of which is based on the "Casper the Friendly Ghost" cartoon theme song. Spin of the Wheel from 1990, Axton's final album, refocuses on his own songs, some of which are fine additions to his canon. "We Could've Been Sweethearts," in particular, is as good as anything he did during his mid-'70s peak. Overall these are Axton's weakest albums since the '60s, but fans will find several diamonds in the rough. ~ Greg Adams, All Music Guide

Tracks

Track Title	Composers	Performers	Time
She's Too Lazy to Be Crazy	Hoyt Axton, Bruce Barlow, Hank Barrio, Rhys Clark, Dennis Fetchet	Hoyt Axton	(2:09)
Pistol Packin' Mama	Al Dexter	Hoyt Axton	(2:44)
I Walk the Line	Johnny Cash	Hoyt Axton	(2:59)
Don't Fence Me In	Cole Porter, Robert Fletcher	Hoyt Axton	(2:52)
There Stands the Glass	A. Greisham, Mary Jean Shurtz, Russ Hull	Hoyt Axton	(2:40)
Warm Storms and Wild Flowers	Mark Dawson	Hoyt Axton	(2:26)
He Played Real Good for Free	Joni Mitchell	Hoyt Axton	(3:29)
James Dean and the Junkman	Hoyt Axton	Hoyt Axton	(2:10)
Indian Song	Hoyt Axton	Hoyt Axton	(3:34)
Fearless the Wonder Dog	Hoyt Axton	Hoyt Axton	(1:55)
Spin of the Wheel	Hoyt Axton	Hoyt Axton	(2:53)
Heartbreak Hotel	Elvis Presley, Mae Boren Axton, Tommy Durden	Hoyt Axton	(2:19)
We Could've Been Sweethearts	Hoyt Axton	Hoyt Axton	(2:46)
Young Man	Mae Boren Axton, South Side Slim	Hoyt Axton	(1:58)
Mr. Winchester's Gun	Hoyt Axton	Hoyt Axton	(2:49)
If You're a Cowboy	Hoyt Axton	Hoyt Axton	(3:55)
American Dreams	Hoyt Axton	Hoyt Axton	(3:20)
Mountain Right	Michael Garvin	Hoyt Axton	(3:34)
Cowboys on Horses with Wings	Hoyt Axton	Hoyt Axton	(3:32)
I Collect Hearts	Hoyt Axton	Hoyt Axton	(3:12)
We Were Buccaneers	Hoyt Axton	Hoyt Axton	(3:18)
The Weight	Robbie Robertson	Hoyt Axton	(5:25)
Thank You, Lord	Hoyt Axton	Hoyt Axton	(4:26)
Blue Prelude	Gordon Jenkins, Joe Bishop	Hoyt Axton	(1:15)

Credits

Michael A. Curtis (Vocals (Background)), Herb Burnette (Graphic Conception), John Leslie Hug (Guitar), Leland Sklar (Bass), Hank Barrio (Vocals (Background)), Hank Barrio (Guitar (Acoustic)), Alan Vachon (Engineer), John Blakemore (Cover Photo), Al Johnson (Producer), Mark Dawson (Harmonica), Hoyt Axton (Producer), Glen D. Hardin (Piano), John Blakemore (Photography), Michael Stanton (Vocals (Background)), Rhys Clark (Drums), James Burton (Guitar), Al Johnson (?), Al Johnson (Engineer), Dennis Fetchet (Fiddle), Mark Dawson (Vocals (Background)), James Burton (Producer), Bruce Barlow (Bass), Corey Bailey (Mixing), James Burton (Dobro), Michael Botts (Drums), Al Johnson (Producer), Alan Robinson (Liner Notes), Jana Lee Dare (Vocals (Background)), Herb Burnette (Art Direction), Hoyt Axton (Vocals), Tom Delaney (Clarinet), Lori B. Williams (Vocals (Background)), Mark Dawson (Guitar (Acoustic)), Al Johnson (Engineer), Corey Bailey (Mixdown Engineer), John Hobbs (Piano), Hank Barrio (Guitar (Electric)), Byron Berline (Fiddle), Dennis Fetchet (Lap Steel Guitar), Corey Bailey (Engineer)