More Buckaroos than Buck
hyperbolium | Earth, USA | 03/03/2002
(3 out of 5 stars)
"This 1964 release was the first of several albums on which Owens deferred much of the LP's space to his band, and his band ceded most of the songwriting to others. Of the original twelve tracks (this reissue includes a pair of bonus sides), only three are Owens originals, and of these, one is an instrumental ("Buck's Polka"). The only original tracks that capture the classic Owens/Rich sound are the monster title hit, "I Don't Care (Just As Long As You Love Me)," and an Owens co-write with Don Rich, and Owens' ex-wife Bonnie, "Don't Let Her Know." The latter developed over the years into one of Owens' most dramatic live songs.For those who've heard the Buckaroos live, the covers that fill out the album are the sort that fill the dance-floor at their shows. A few benefit from the Buckaroos treatment, but several do not rise above the originals. Deep-voiced Buckaroos bassist Doyle Holly takes the lead on Johnny Cash's "Understand Your Man" and George Hamilton IV's "Abilene." Holly's an adequate vocalist, but neither turn will make you forget the originals. Tom Brumley's steel on the "Abilene" is perhaps the most memorable element of this pair. Brumley also shines on a cover of Bud Isaacs' "Bud's Bounce."Don Rich takes the lead, with Owens singing harmony, for Roger Miller's "Dang Me," and Doug Kershaw's "Louisiana Man." Both show how much better the singing equation balances with Owens singing lead and Rich singing harmony -- not that Rich isn't a fine singer, but the power of their regular pairing isn't matched by the reverse. "Dang Me" shows off Rich's funny side, and "Louisiana Man," shows off his fine fiddle playing in duet with Jelly Sanders.Rose Maddox and Owens reprise their 1961 duet of Carl Smith's "Loose Talk," and Owens sings solo on "Playboy," originally recorded by fellow Californian Wynn Stewart, and later picked up by Dwight Yoakam. The song's authors (Bob Morris and Eddie Miller) also gave Owens' "This Ol' Heart," and Buck and Don apply their classic harmonies to "You're Welcome Anytime."Sundazed's reissue adds instrumental versions of "I Don't Care" and "Don't Let Her Know," conducted by Don Rich for "The Buck Owens Songbook LP," and substituting Rich's guitar and Brumley's steel for the lead vocals.While this probably isn't the best place to begin a collection of Owens' original LPs, the excellent originals and worthwhile covers makes it an essential member of a complete Buck Owens' collection.3-1/2 stars, if Amazon allowed fractional ratings."
Track Listings (14) - Disc #1
