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