+1/2 -- Bluegrass with a Buckaroos twist
hyperbolium | Earth, USA | 12/26/2004
(3 out of 5 stars)
"Hot on the heels of Owens' "Bridge Over Troubled Water" release, the Bakersfield superstar took another unusual turn, dropping the twangy telecasters and shuffle beats in favor of ten electrified bluegrass tunes. Producing himself at his own Bakersfield studio, Owens launched into a collection of both classic and obscure covers, with two originals (one by Owens, one by his son Buddy Alan) to fill out the short ten track songlist.
The addition of banjo player Ron Jackson provided an acoustic touchstone for the Buckaroos to play bluegrass, but this is still bluegrass ala Bakersfield. In particular, there are plenty of drums and Jim Shaw's piano and organ figure strongly into several tracks. The harmonies of Owens and Don Rich fit these songs nicely, even if they don't break into the traditional bluegrass roles.
The album's two singles, "Ruby (Are You Mad)" and "Rollin' in My Sweet Baby's Arms" are both winners, and album tracks "I Know You're Married But I Love You Still" (known best in its 1966 incarnation by Bill Anderson and Jan Howard), "Rocky Top," and Johnnie and Jack's "Ashes of Love" are all fine spins. This isn't Owens' strongest outings, but it shows off how fluidly he and the Buckaroos could play to their varied influences.
3-1/2 stars, if allowed fractional ratings."
Something Different - Buck & his Bluegrass Buckaroos
Paul W. Dennis | Winter Springs, FL USA | 09/03/2006
(4 out of 5 stars)
"Give Buck Owens credit - he knew that the "freight train " sound was growing a bit stale and he was willing to experiment. I'VE GOT YOU ON MY MIND AGAIN was the first album to feature background voices and strings, something he continued on the next studio album TALL DARK STRANGER (both 1969). In 1971 Owens took a more contemporary turn with his BRIDGE OVER TROUBLED WATER album, which was recorded without fiddle or steel guitar and featured songs by the likes of Paul Simon and Donovan. Later in 1971 came RUBY AND OTHER BLUEGRASS SPECIALS
Not exactly bluegrass in it's instrumentation (marred by drums and organ) it nevertheless is a fun romp through eight bluegrass classics plus two from the Buck Owens catalogue recast as bluegrass. Both singles issued from the album, "Rollin' In My Sweet Baby's Arms" and "Ruby (Honey Are You Mad At Your Man)" went to #1 on the more sales-oriented Cashbox charts (Billboard had them at #2 and #3 respectively). The title cut was a hit the year before for the Osborne Brothers, so it was still fresh in the public memory as was "Rocky Top" the Osborne Brthers big hit from 1968. "Ole Slew Foot" was part of both the country and bluegrass repertoire and so was familiar to fans of both genres although the only hit on the song was by Porter Wagoner. "I Know You're Married But I Love You Still" was one of the most requested tunes for the beloved bluegrass duo of Don Reno & Red Smiley. Of course, everyone knows "Uncle Pen".
Owens didn't stray too far from bluegrass with his next album TOO OLD TO CUT THE MUSTARD, with son Buddy Alan. but Owens never again returned to the genre after that. Good clean fun - equal emphasis on all three words
"
Track Listings (9) - Disc #1