Bonanza: Ponderosa Party Time! Original Soundtrack

"Bonanza: Ponderosa Party Time!" could also be titled "Bonanza: The Musical."The 14 tracks on this variety album, which was created to take advantage of the burgeoning fame of the NBC Western's quartet of stars, are linked by a basic seriocomic plot which finds the Cartwrights hosting their Virginia City neighbors for a rare Saturday evening square dance. But unbeknownst to patriarch Ben (Lorne Greene), the party's being held for another reason: to celebrate his birthday. There's just one hitch, of course: Ben doesn't know his birthday, because the records of his birth were long ago destroyed. But Adam (Pernell Roberts), Hoss (Dan Blocker), and Little Joe (Michael Landon) obtained the information from the daughter of the minister whose flock included Ben's parents, and organized a proper celebration.Now that the TV Guide log line's out of the way, how does it measure up musically?Quite well, actually.Greene and Landon both carry a tune as well as they carried their guns. Greene, in fact, brought me to tears with his renditions of "My Sons, My Sons"-which brought to the fore memories of my own father, who passed away unexpectedly six months ago-and the Gospel-flavored finale, "A Place Where I Worship." (This album, in fact, kicked off Greene's secondary career as a singer: On his own, he would record six albums, and even a duet with Johnny Cash.) Landon adds some Elvis flavor to his two solos, "Careless Love" and "Shenandoah."Roberts, the only accomplished singer of the cast, proves every bit as skilled at singing as he was at acting.Blocker, on the other hand, doesn't embarrass himself, but proves he was wise not to give up his day job. As in the series, he carries the day on his considerable charm.Also as on television, there's plenty of the heart and the humor that made "Bonanza" a hit in both prime time and syndication. When Little Joe announces he'll sing "Careless Love," Adam quips that the song sounds like the story of Joe's life. And when an envious Hoss asks how Ben is able to hit low notes in his songs, the elder Cartwright replies "Age and wisdom.""Bonanza: Ponderosa Party Time!" is not only an artifact of the series' prime-time glory, but also a satisfying musical experience in its own right.Note: This was followed by a second cast album, "Bonanza: Christmas on the Ponderosa."

Who doesn’t love the Cartwrights? I was so excited to see that they had made another record. I have their Christmas record, and I have love listening to it every year at Christmas. This one was as delightful. I love that this one featured more of Pernell Roberts than the last record did. Frankly my favorite song on this one is In the Pines sung by Adam Cartwright. That song is worth purchasing the CD.

I really enjoy listening to this CD.Thanks

I had wondered for a long time exactly what the BONANZA PONDEROSA PARTY TIME was about. I had always loved "Christmas at the Ponderosa" so I was finally able to get this. It was a fun CD. Pernell Roberts sings more songs on this "album".I was fortunate to get this CD at a very reasonable price. (Some people are asking between $80 - $200). Sorry, as much as I even loved the Bonanza Christmas (and it's better than this "album"), I wouldn't pay that much (it's ridiculous) But it's a fun CD for anyone who enjoyed Bonanza.

This is a CD that you might play just once then put it away for a long time before you pick it up again. It is themed as a birthday party for Ben (Lorne Greene). Each song is preceded with a little banter between the Cartwrights, Hoss (Dan Blocker), Joe (Michael Landon) and Adam (Pernell Roberts), and Ben.Some of the songs are familiar, some less so. The outstanding singer, by far, is Adam, whilst Joe and to a lesser extent, Hoss can cope reasonably well. Ben has a fine voice, but with too much vibrato for my personal taste. He is better suited to narrations ie `Ringo`, not featured here. All in all a pleasant CD, that rekindles the memories of life on the Ponderosa.

I got this as a gag gift for my friend who loves Bonanza. There's a plot to the whole album with talking and banter, and the actors 'in character' kind of like a recorded musical episode. We were disappointed that the Bonanza them song wasn't on it, but my friends and I have listened to it twice, and thought it was awesome. And you can't beat the price!

If you are a fan of Bonanza, I definitely suggest you get this. All 4 Cartwright boys sing and some are incredibly beautiful. My favorite is Adam singing Early One Morning.

Thank you

Kindheitserinnerungen wurden wahr.

Its terrific, exactly what I was hoping for and more. I liked it so much, I have now ordered the Bonanza xmas CD too.

War eine schöne Überraschung für einen lieben alten Mann, der mit der Serie aufgewachsen ist.

The cd is good, i love everything bonanza, the case it came in was damaged, which could have been shipping.

Ich bin total begeistert von der CD und das war ein absolut richtiger Kauf. Ein muss für jeden Bonanza Fan. Es ist toll die Originalstimmen der Stars zu hören. Man könnte echt glauben das es ein Vater mit seinen Söhnen ist. Und Adam Cartwright alias Pernell Roberts hat so eine tolle Stimme. Ich liebe diese CD.