Your Mother’s Prayer
Omnivore, 2021
9/10
Listen to Your Mother’s Prayer
Certainly one of the most noteworthy albums in the lengthy and exceptional body of work from Buck Owens And His Buckaroos, 1970’s Your Mother’s Prayer is a return to gospel, though it certainly doesn’t abandon his country roots, either.
The twangy title track starts the listen with Owens’ signature vocals highlighting the warm climate, and “Wait A Little Longer Please, Jesus”, the lone cover, presents a very genuine and spiritual interpretation that Owens did just as well as anyone.
Elsewhere, “In God I Trust” brings an emotive angle to the expressive gospel delivery, while “When The Roll Is Called Up Yonder” recruits bouncy keys and a frisky tempo to the album highlight. “Lonesome Valley”, another exceptional tune, then showcases soaring strings in the breezy, rootsy landscape.
Closer to the end, “That Sunday Feeling” offers a scrappy and fun folk rocker where the backing vocals make a big impression, and “Just A Few More Days” exits the listen steeped in his Bakersfield ways with no shortage of melody and crisp, flowing musicianship from his esteemed band.
Much like all the Owens reissues that the Omnivore label is doing, this one comes with more artwork, new liner notes and an enhanced sound thanks to Michael Graves and Cheryl Pawelski, and it documents an artist in the prime of his career.
Travels well with: Buck Owens And His Buckaroos- I Wouldn’t Live In New York City; Bobby Bare- Great American Saturday Night