From Birmingham To Bakersfield
Omnivore, 2023
8/10
Listen to From Birmingham To Bakersfield
A former cast member of Hee Haw and whose career goes back to age 4, the legendary Buck Owens took Victoria Hallman under his wing, and helped her flesh out a debut album in 1981 that was lost until a record collector found it decades later, and now it’s finally available.
“You’re My Favorite Song” begins the listen with Hallman’s pretty voice alongside the soaring and warm climate that recruits some classical nods, and the playful and soulful “Bottle Up My Tears” is quite lively and will certainly get your body moving to the animated melodies.
Elsewhere, “Please Please Me” brings hints of twang to the crisp and rootsy rocker, while “Rainy Day Games” finds a more intimate place to reside, where a cozy dreaminess surrounds Hallman’s very expressive voice.
Further still, “Sexy Movies” showcases bright brass and firm guitar strumming for the album’s best, and of the bonus material, the stirring piano of the powerful and emotive “Close Enough For Me” illustrates Hallman’s remarkable singing and timeless demeanor.
A long overdue package that contains photos, ephemera, and liner notes from Randy Poe, who produced the release, it also features new interviews with Hallman about her career and the discovery of this lost piece of Country Music history still sounds great after all these years.
Travels well with: Buck Owens And The Buckaroos- Bakersfield Gold; Buck Owens And The Buckaroos- In The Palm Of Your Hand