I Wouldn’t Live In New York City
Omnivore, 2021
8/10
Listen to I Wouldn’t Live In New York City
Originally released in 1970 and landing at #12 on the country album charts, Buck Owens started off the decade with a trio of albums, where I Wouldn’t Live In New York City introduced us to the youngest Buckaroo, Jim Shaw, who handles electric organ, harmonica and piano across these 10 tunes about cities.
“I Wouldn’t Live In New York City (If They Gave Me The Whole Dang Town)” starts the listen with Owens’ dislike for The Big Apple backed by subtle harmonica, light drumming and soft guitar alongside his smooth pipes, and “Reno Lament” follows with the shuffling pace of country flavored fun he was known and revered for.
Halfway through, “The Kansas City Song” offers a swift duet of country western playfulness, while “(It’s A Long Way To) Londontown” starts and ends with a thick bell, and sandwiches and old time feel in the middle. “Houston-Town”, one of the album’s best, then swirls with a dreamy appeal thanks to the many voices, hypnotic drumming and strategic pedal steel.
Near to the end, “No Milk And Honey In Baltimore” emits a retro-folk demeanor that’s full of atmosphere, and the warm acoustic guitar and poetic singing of “Big In Vegas” exits the listen with his signature Bakersfield sound intact.
The early ‘70s were a very prolific time for Owens, and the mastering from the analog tapes thanks to Michael Graves and production by Cheryl Pawelski, as well as expanded artwork and new liner notes from Randy Poe makes I Wouldn’t Live In New York City sound, look and read better than ever.
Travels well with: Buck Owens And His Buckaroos- I’ve Got You On My Mind Again; Bobby Bare- Great American Saturday Night