Bakersfield Gold
Omnivore, 2022
8/10
Between the years of 1959 and 1974, the legendary Buck Owens amassed an impressive 46 Top Ten Hits, and here they’re collected on either 2 CDs, a triple LP package or digitally. The release features new liner notes from Grammy-nominee, Randy Poe (author of Buck ‘Em: The Autobiography Of Buck Owens), to add even more appeal to the project.
“Under Your Spell Again” starts the listen with the perfect example of Owens’ formula, where warm twang, a bouncy spirit and his inimitably smooth pipes guide the rural melodies, and it isn’t long until the crisp drums and Jelly Sanders’ stirring fiddle make an impression on “Foolin’ Around”.
Further on, the toe tappin’ and dance floor ready “My Heart Skips A Beat” comes with an infectious energy, while the spirited guitar from Red Simpson helps illuminate the cautious demeanor of “Think Of Me”.
Disc 2 opens with the intimate song craft of the poetic “Your Tender Loving Care”, and later on the soulful backing vocals of the precisely textured “Tall Dark Stranger” helps make this one of the best on the back half of the record.
Deeper still, the emotive “Bridge Over Troubled Water” emits a dreamy appeal, as Owens sings with much warmth, and “Great Expectations” exits the listen with Jim Shaw’s mellotron and Ronnie Jackson’s guitar helping make for a playful yet precise, country flavored finish.
Not surprisingly, nearly have of these songs actually hit #1 on the charts, and it serves as a fine introduction to Owens, and is an absolute must for the unwavering fans.
Travels well with: Buck Owens And The Buckaroos- Ain’t It Amazing, Gracie; Buck Owens And The Buckaroos- In The Palm Of Your Hand