George Mann and Mick Coates – Ghosts of the Old West

CD review by 2025 Tony Smith

TN2594-49 – $20

TN176 Mar 26

‘For the West’ is a nice introduction to this album.

It notes that every day is a good day in the open air.

There is some enjoyable fiddle on this track.

‘That Sweet Plaintalkin’ Country Girl’ is a love song, a tribute perhaps to all girls who can be described as unaffected and natural.

In the ‘Ghosts of the Old West’, Mann reminisces about western people, their hospitality and kindness.

The memories haunt us and will not let us rest.

A different song, ‘The Ghosts of the Old West’ is added by Coates.

Both reveal how the spirits of these men belong in the old west.

‘In Irons from Limerick City’, to the tune ‘Rising of the Moon’,  Coates’ voice would fit neatly with the Dubliners.

Dolly Parton deserves any praise that comes her way.

She has overcome difficulties and has been a philanthropist.

She has always maintained a self-deprecating sense of humour which must endear her to Australian fans.

Once, when she was appearing outdoors, the MC pointed out Dolly Parton look-a-likes in the audience.

‘She’s been up since midnight working on that look’ said the MC.

Dolly replied ‘How do you know I haven’t?’

‘They Call her Dolly Parton’ and there is only one Dolly Parton.

‘The Reverend Mr Black’ is a recitation, then the preacher sings the classic ‘Lonesome Valley’.

‘Ira Hayes’ tells some home truths about dispossession of native Americans and how alcohol was used to ravage the tribes.

‘Anymore’ is a tribute to the singers who told of the old west in ballads, but notes the difficulties encountered by songwriters faced with the tragedies of foreign wars, of debacles like Nicaragua and Vietnam.

A time to stand up, a time to let go and a time to just tell them “no”.

It’s hard to sing those songs about heroes any more.

‘The Lonesome Plains’ expresses love for the land, especially the plains.

In an appealing minor key, Coates tells of his wandering and his preference for open spaces.

Soaring fiddle embellishes this track.

You know, he says, where to ‘Lay me down to rest’ when my time comes.

‘‘Til the Cows and ‘Roos Come Home’ is a song of admiration for the country and a pledge to enjoy life and party on.

On this 2025 album, George Mann and Mick Coates are supported by instrumentalists and vocalists Michael Wellen, Dave Davies, Doug Robinson, Rich DePaolo, Molly Macmillan, Alice Saltonstall, Elbonee ‘Singtrece’ Stevenson, Tim Ball and Matiss Schubert.

They share songwriting credits with Thomas and Cathey Ryan, Kenneth Barber, Charlotte Buckton, Mike Stoller, Billy Edd Wheeler, Jerry Liebler, Peter La Farge and Harry Stamper.

Will Russell and Dana Billings were involved in the production.

Mann and Coates alternate songs and this works very well.

While Mann has a nicely rounded softness to his voice, Coates has a more gravelly style.

It is interesting to hear the two versions of ‘Ghosts’ which highlight their different approaches within an equal respect for the lyrics and the concepts behind them.

Mann and Coates might get a little nostalgic about the old west but their songs make it clear that they love the best features of the frontier.

It is difficult to imagine better advocates for what remains of the mythical west.

 

Ed. This album is available for sale from the TradandNow website and can be heard on Trad&Now live!

 

The Making of “Ghosts of the Old West”

There were more than 20 people camped out at Mick Coates’ house during the Maldon Folk Festival, George among them, and each night would end around Mick’s kitchen table, slowly growing more crowded as folk dribbled in from town. Some went to bed, while others settled in for a late-night session. At some point late in one of those evenings, Mick and George got to talking about recording, and the idea of this album began to take shape.

“I thought the contrast of our voices, alternating lead vocals on the songs, would be an interesting blend, and we both love the kind of story-songs that we feature on this album,” George said. When the title “Ghosts of the Old West” came to him, George suggested to Mick that they each write a song with that title, though for clarity, Mick’s song is called “The Ghosts of the Old West.”

They began talking about and planning for the album, and Mick had friends he wanted to visit in the United States. A plan was conceived, and over 4 days at Will Russell’s lovely and loving Electric Wilburland studios, most of the album was recorded. “This was a more than worthwhile and unexpected experience for an old cowboy singer riding the twilight trail,” Mick said. “I loved the idea and am glad that we were able to see it through.”

While sonically the album has a strong country/western feel to it, there are also acoustic cuts and some fine singing and musicianship throughout, with hints of both the old West of the US and the ghosts of Australia’s past.

George Mann:

George Mann (US) is a songwriter’s singer who would just as soon share stories and songs from the long history of folk music as sing his own songs! He has produced albums featuring such folk music legends as Utah Phillips, Pete Seeger and Tom Paxton, and produced national tours of the US and Australia in honor of The Almanac Singers (2013) and Joe Hill (2015). George released his CD “This Chain” in October 2023, and in September 2024 he released a CD of Si Kahn’s songs, “Labor Day,” to honor Si on his 80th birthday. He is producing a new album with Mick Coates for September 2025 release, “Ghosts of the Old West,” and will be featuring songs from this album on his 2025 Australian tour, running through late November.

Mick Coates:

Mick Coates (Australia) settled in the quaint old goldmining town of Maldon back in late 2000 just before he reached the ripe old age of 50. Already a regular folk festival fan it wasn’t long before he tapped into the rich vein of local Central Victorian musicians, bought a cheap guitar, a capo, and, armed with 3 chords, started annoying anyone who was polite enough to listen! Things progressed and his bass/baritone voice saw him out front with a couple of fine bands belting out close-to-the-bone Johnny Cash covers, old folk and cowboy songs at festivals stretching from the remote Northern Territory to all over SE Australia. His proudest achievement is the self-titled 2022 album “Mick Coates & the Shallow Gravediggers,” featuring 14 uniquely Australian songs mostly penned by Mick, his fellow band members and friends