Phil Dirt - Reverb Central - PO Box 1609, Felton, CA 95018-1609 USA
Buck Owens and the Buckaroos - The Instrumental Albumdotdotdot
artworkBuck Owens was a major player in the real country music scene during the sixties. His Buckaroo is one of the very few true country instrumental classics of the decade. It was not only a hit single for his band, it was also covered by other instrumentalists of the day, most notably Lonnie Mack and the Champs. This is a fine CD collection of their instro output, and a damn fine addition to your instro library, as long as you understand that it's country, not surf. Here's the human side of the equation, courtesy of the thorough liner notes from Rich Kienzle.
BuckarooOrange Blossom SpecialRaz-Ma-Taz PolkaFaded LoveBud's BounceCountry PolkaBile 'Em Cabbage DownSteel Guitar RagA Maiden's PrayerBuck's PolkaCountry RagMexican PolkaAct NaturallyI've Got A Tiger By The Tail
Don Rich - lead electric guitarDon Rich - fiddleBuck Owens - guitar, lead electric guitarDon Rich - lead electric guitarDon Rich - fiddleBuck Owens - guitar, lead electric guitarBuck Owens - guitar, lead electric guitarDon Rich - lead acoustic guitarDon Rich - fiddleBuck Owens - guitar, lead electric guitarBuck Owens - guitar, lead electric guitarBuck Owens - guitar, lead electric guitarBuck Owens - guitar, lead electric guitarBuck Owens - guitar, lead electric guitar
Don Rich - fiddleJelly Sanders - guitarDon Rich - lead electric guitarDon Rich - fiddleJelly Sanders - guitarDon Rich - lead electric guitarDon Rich - fiddleTom Brumley - pedal steel guitarJelly Sanders - guitarJelly Sanders - guitarDon Rich - fiddleDon Rich - lead electric guitarDon Rich - lead electric guitarDon Rich - lead electric guitar
Red Simpson - guitarJay McDonald - pedal steel guitarTom Brumley - pedal steel guitarRed Simpson - guitarTom Brumley - pedal steel guitarRalph Mooney - guitarJelly Sanders - guitarDoyle Holly - guitarTom Brumley - pedal steel guitarDoyle Holly - guitarJelly Sanders - guitarRalph Mooney - guitarRalph Mooney - guitarRalph Mooney - guitar
Tom Brumley - pedal steel guitarKenny Pierce - bassDoyle Holly - guitarTom Brumley - pedal steel guitarDoyle Holly - bassGeorge French, Jr. - pianoJelly Sanders - fiddleBob Morris - bassDoyle Holly - bassBob Morris - bassJelly Sanders - fiddleGeorge French, Jr. - pianoGeorge French, Jr. - pianoGeorge French, Jr. - piano
Doyle Holly - guitarKen Presley - drumsBob Morris - bassDoyle Holly - guitarMel King - drumsBobby Austin - bassTom Brumley - pedal steel guitarWillie Cantu - drumsMel King - drumsWillie Cantu - drumsTom Brumley - pedal steel guitarBobby Austin - bassBobby Austin - bassBobby Austin - bass
Bob Morris - bassWillie Cantu - drumsBob Morris - bassWayne "Moose" Stone - drumsDoyle Holly - guitarDoyle Holly - guitarWayne "Moose" Stone - drumsWayne "Moose" Stone - drumsWayne "Moose" Stone - drums
Willie Cantu - drumsWillie Cantu - drumsBob Morris - bassBob Morris - bass
Willie Cantu - drumsWillie Cantu - drums
Picks: Buckaroo, Orange Blossom Special, Raz-Ma-Taz Polka, Faded Love, Bud's Bounce, Country Polka, Bile 'Em Cabbage Down, Steel Guitar Rag, A Maiden's Prayer, Buck's Polka, Country Rag, Mexican Polka, Act Naturally, I've Got A Tiger By The Tail

Track by Track Review


Buckaroo dotdotdotdotdot
Country (Instrumental)

This 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.

Orange Blossom Special dotdotdotdot
Country (Instrumental)

This is one of those country picker standards. It's been recorded vocally and instrumentally a million times, even by rock artists. It will be heard at any barn dance, and at most country weddings. It is infectious as Hell, with it's duet between the guitar and fiddle, and sweet country violin work. This version is pure traditional square dance, and most enjoyable.

Raz-Ma-Taz Polka dotdotdot
Country (Instrumental)

There's a lot of polka in country music of old. This standard country pick fest is a progression based polka with ample twango. Fun and inspired.

Faded Love dotdotdot
Country (Instrumental)

A slow dance romancer, with a fiddle lead, and sad sad sound. Smooth and so emotional. Nice classic country stuff.

Bud's Bounce dotdotdot
Country (Instrumental)

A lap steel fun track, with a simple but playful melody. You can almost hear the guitar singing.

Country Polka dotdotdot
Country (Instrumental)

Very much like Raz-Ma-Taz Polka, this is a spirited romp in the barn doing the do-se-do. Doh!

Bile 'Em Cabbage Down dotdotdot
Country (Instrumental)

Supper's on boys, and it smells all the way 'cross town. A sweet lap steel against a playful fiddle track, smoother than any boiled cabbage casserole. melodic and fluid.

Steel Guitar Rag dotdotdot
Country (Instrumental)

Like the title says, it's a rag for the lap steel, playfully bouncing along. Fun and enjoyable.

A Maiden's Prayer dotdotdot
Country (Instrumental)

A slow dance tune for the ladies to ponder the menfolk over. The boys may be checkin' out the fillies framework, but the lasses are eyeballin' the future fathers of America. Think gorgeous gingham.

Buck's Polka dotdotdotdot
Country (Instrumental)

A speedy picker's plaything, with some of the same guitar trickery that is used often in surf (by Dick Dale and others), but dry and lightly played. really nice track.

Country Rag dotdotdot
Country (Instrumental)

Standard country tiger rag stuff, with liquid lap steel and country twang. melodic, and fun.

Mexican Polka dotdotdotdot
Country (Instrumental)

Ay, carumba! The lace and studded chaps crowd will devour this, with it's tinkly piano, and it's Mexican basis. Quite a fun track. Yee-haw!

Act Naturally dotdotdot
Country (Instrumental)

Even Ringo Starr thought this was a fine tune, having a hit with it when he was a Beatle. This instro version lacks the charm of Buck's vocal take. It's essentially the same backtrack with a lead guitar over the top. Fun.

I've Got A Tiger By The Tail dotdotdot
Country (Instrumental)

The backtrack of Buck's vocal hit with a lead guitar overdubbed. OK, but not as cool as his hit.