MCA Special Products' Songs of the Old West is an entertaining roundup of ten narrative country & western songs Roy Rogers recorded, highlighted by versions of "Home on the Range," "Whoopie Ti-Yi-Yo," "Colorado Trail," "Streets of Laredo," "Tumbling Tumbleweeds," "Cool Water," "Railroad Corral," and "Red River Valley." ~ Stephen Thomas Erlewine, All Music Guide
At 79, Rogers' voice wasn't as sure as it was in his heyday. But Richard Landis gave him sympathetic production, and none of his guests sound like paid hands or hired guns. Everyone involved -- from Rogers' son Dusty to the Kentucky Headhunters -- sounds more committed to making a good record than to adding star power. The material has been chosen accordingly, a good blend of old and new. The tribute's best when young singers repay an obvious debt (the duets with Ricky Van Shelton, Clint Black, and Randy Travis), but even when K.T. Oslin and Restless Heart join in the Sons of the Pioneers' theme, "Tumbling Tumbleweeds," they bring new life to an old workhorse. And Rogers' yodel is still in great shape. ~ Brian Mansfield, All Music Guide
In 1986 MCA issued the eight-song Melody of the Plains compilation of Roy Rogers tracks from his time on Decca Records. Before the days of computer programs like "Cool Edit Pro" where scratches and pops from vinyl sources could be removed, the label saw fit to simply reissue these recordings (at least on the cassette version of this) with the audible transfer sound of the needle playing on a record. It actually adds to the authenticity as these tracks from the 1930s to early '40s are pretty lo-fi to begin with. MCA would release five of these eight titles again in 1992 on their Country Music Hall of Fame Series credited to Roy Rogers & the Sons of the Pioneers. It's a true period piece, the country crooner singing of love lost with pretty much the same tempo behind him on every tune. His personality is more important than the limited vocal range, and he delivers the goods with a sincerity that made him popular. Fiddles and pedal steel guitar sometimes get the spotlight, but for the most part it is Roy's voice that is upfront and center. ~ Joe Viglione, All Music Guide