UNDER THE DIEHARD BRAND

Three Western short stories are shining examples of how much an audio performance can enhance the written word. What would be mediocre stories on the page becomes entertaining theater. With a brisk, matter-of-fact narration, the shoot-‘em-up cowboy stories move along quickly. The characters—dark villains, scratchy-voiced cowpokes, and strong heroes—will make listeners smile. The production is further advanced by great sound effects: horses clip-clopping, cows mooing and stampeding, saloon glasses clinking, and, of course, gunfire—all easy on the ears. As is the case with many older works, the stories aren’t entirely politically correct. But this is a quick and fun listen—like an old-time radio show with up-to-date recording quality. M.M.G. © AudioFile 2011, Portland, Maine [Published: MARCH 2011]