Buck's the Best

Unfortunately, Buck Owens is better known to most Americans for his role as the cornpone cohost of Hee Haw than for his pioneering country music work on Capitol in the late '50s and '60s -- as a solo act, in duets with Rose Maddox and others, and with his band the Buckaroos. Sure, it's easy to pick on him from and think his music was fluff; however, if your listen to these cds you will really realize that Buck and the Buckaroos are some of the most talented musicians ever to play their instruments. There are so many songs that could be placed on this album, but Rhino did a great job picking those key songs that made Buck's music.

From their base in Bakersfield, Buck Owens and the Buckaroos created a rocking alternative to the pop sounds emanating from Nashville. The songs reflect the cross-cultural melding that went on during the first half of the century. The sound quality is excellent.

Owens signed to Capitol Records in March 1957. It was not until his fourth release, 'Second Fiddle', that he made any mark, reaching number 24 on Billboard 's country chart. In 1959, Owens hit with a recording of "Second Fiddle" in the Ray Price "shuffle" style. Later that year the success of "Under Your Spell Again" led Owens to return to Bakersfield and form a band, named the Buckaroos by onetime bass player Merle Haggard. In 1963 Owens' recording of "Act Naturally" stayed at #1 for four weeks and "Love's Gonna Live Here" spent sixteen week atop the charts. Owens' recordings regularly topped the country chart, including "Made In Japan," "My Heart Skips A Beat," "I Don't Care (Just As Long As You Love Me)," "I've Got A Tiger By The Tail," "Before You Go," "Waitin' In Your Welfare Line," "Think Of Me," "Open Up Your Heart" and "Where Does The Good Times Go." His live show starter, "Buckaroo" is simply the most infectious and playful country instros ever recorded. It has been covered by many, including Lonnie Mack. The melody is infectious and magical, and the polka sensibility of the backtrack is perfect for this hayride classic. Owens has said that he wrote "Together Again" in 15 minutes at 3:00 one morning. Calling it a throwaway song he released it as a B-side with My Heart Skips A Beat - both became number one records. Also number one in the country charts 12 years later (1976) for Emmylou Harris. Harris said of the song "I think it sums up all that country music tries to be - incredibly simple, yet very poignant and moving." The song was also played by the Grateful Dead in many of their live shows. The confidence with which the band kicks into every number is simply astonishing. One of his most memorizing and self descriptive songs is "Big in Vegas."

If anything was clear by the end of the boxed set, it was that Owens owes a debt to rock 'n' roll, and vice versa. This was classic country of the Bakersfield variety -- Owens was one of the primary architects of that famous sound, along with Merle Haggard and Wynn Stewart. But there was enough rockabilly swagger to make it obvious why the Beatles loved him, and why generations since have followed suit. In addition to the incredible songwriting, singing and playing, Owens and his band show just what hotshot entertainers they were. If you only know Buck Owens from Hee-Haw you owe it to yourself to learn more about one of the giants of country music.

Crank the stereo up and enjoy true country music at its best.

Check out Sundazed, they have mounted an ambitious reissue program of the '60s albums by Buck Owens and the Buckaroos.