+1/2 -- Bakersfield praises the Lord
hyperbolium | Earth, USA | 01/06/2004
(4 out of 5 stars)
"The bulk of this album was recorded at the end of 1965, right in the middle of Owens' phenomenal run of Bakersfield Sound recordings. The albums "I've Got a Tiger By the Tail" and "Christmas With Buck Owens" were lighting up the charts, and the Buckaroos triumphant Carnegie Hall concert was just ahead in 1966. This timing produced twelve original songs of faith that were written and recorded to the band's high-powered twang, rather than being adaptations of the band to a more traditional gospel sound.From the opening bars of "Pray Every Day," it's clear that the joyful sound of the Buckaroos' hits was perfectly suited to stories of prayer, bible and family. Owens sings with the full-throated honky-tonk conviction of Hank Williams', but with harmonies (either his own, or those of Don Rich) mindful of the Louvin Brothers. Add the twang of Telecasters and pedal steel, and you have the soundtrack to Bakersfield's salvation.Owens co-wrote many of the album's songs with the legendary Red Simpson; he also co-wrote a pair of tunes, "Bring it to Jesus" and "Eternal Vacation," with his mother, Macie. The album's title tune, along with "I'll Go to Church Again with Momma," recall Macie's own mother, Mary Myrtle, and reflect on the supportive family from which Owens' career sprang. The album is a Bakersfield hymnal of waltzes ("Jesus Saved Me" "All the Way With Jesus"), two-steppers ("Would You Be Ready?" "Satan's Gotta Get Along Without Me"), and fiddle-and-steel weepers ("Dust on Mother's Bible"). Every one of them is stamped through-and-through with the classic Buckaroos sound.For reasons unknown, this album was not released with the bulk of Sundazed's reissues in the late `90s. Wrong finally righted, it's time for fans to rejoice and enjoy this essential entry in the Buck Owens catalog.4-1/2 stars, if allowed fractional ratings."
Maybe the BEST Buck album
Rene M. Passarieu Jr. | Carlsbad, CA | 11/05/2004
(5 out of 5 stars)
"In terms of sheer consistency and quality of songs, Dust On Mother's Bible might be the best Buck and the Buckaroos album. I'm not a religious person, but these songs are moving and entertaining at the same time. Pick this one up regardless of your beliefs. Honky Tonk Saviors would have been another appropriate title with multiple meanings!"
Track Listings (12) - Disc #1