Buck Owens Album: “Buck Owens Collection (1959-1990)”

When most people think of country music, they tend to think of Tennessee and Texas but California has a strong country music tradition of its own exemplified by the success of Buck Owens. He had a lot of success with his own record, while his songs provided hits for others and he was also an inspiration for other Californians including Merle Haggard and Dwight Yoakam. This compilation contains three CD's of Buck's finest music.

The box includes all of Buck's classics including Above and beyond (later successfully revived by Rodney Crowell), Act naturally (which was covered by the Beatles), Love's gonna live here, Together again, I've got a tiger by the tail and many others. Buck also wrote Crying time but released it on a B-side. Ray Charles covered it and had a huge pop hit with it. You can find Buck's version here. Buck originally recorded Streets of Bakersfield in 1974 but the song only became successful when Dwight Yoakam decided to cover it as a duet with Buck. Both versions are included here.

Apart from Dwight, this features other notable guests including Susan Raye (Buck's duet partner in the early seventies), Rose Maddox (on Loose talk and Mental cruelty), Emmylou Harris (singing Play Together again again) and Ringo Starr (on a re-recording of Act Naturally).

While Buck wrote many of his own songs, he also had big country hits with cover versions. Here, you will find his superb versions of Save the last dance for me, Johnny B Goode, Bridge over troubled water and Roll in my sweet baby's arms.

A close look at the Billboard country charts will show that one or two big hits are missing, but that doesn't really matter. Real country music fans will find much to get excited about here.

I'm really not into box sets, but this is a good one. Buck Owens has no peers and once you listen to this set, you'll understand that noone will ever come close. The first two discs are my favorites, with the third seemingly out of place. Dont get me wrong, the third (late Buck) disc has some gems, but it lacks the magic of Don Rich and is infused with the weird late-'60's vibe that hit country music. There will never be another combination like Buck & Don Rich; and there will never be another star who can sing the saddest "cry-in-your-beer" song in that famous 3/4 upbeat. This is what country music is all about; and forget the Buck of Hee Haw....this is the most addictive collection of songs you'll ever come across. My teenage daughter and son even poked fun at the true honky-tonk, down-home, lyrics when I play them in the car....but I've since caught both of them humming and even singing the songs when they thought noone else was around. This is timeless music so dont miss out on it.

Where do we start,

Buck will always be missed by us.

A great human being, A major influence on the bakersfield style and the country music industry.

A Songwriter like no other, and ofcourse Hee Haw was a great success due to him and to Roy Clark.

Now regarding the boxset, I really enjoyed it. 3CDs are packed with hits that will surely entertain you.

But, please note that the boxset has missed a number of amazing songs. So, please don't overlook buying the boxset, but also purchase:

1. The Carnegie Hall Concert by Owens, Buck .

2. In Japan!.

3. Buck Owens sings Harlan Howard.

4. In London [LIVE]

These 4 titles are what come to mind.

Thanks & enjoy,

Nawaf

this is a wonderful box set! a must have for any serious music collector. of course, his early material is some of the greatest music to ever have been performed but also included is the best of his later 'stuff'. the only disappointment for me was/is the lack of any of his 'live at panther hall' material. A++++++++ five star box, buy it now!

This box set will make you appreciate Buck as an artist. There was more to him than a weekly tv show. The box set introduced me to great songs such as Tender Lovin' Care and Big in Vegas. You will not be disappointed with this box set. Buy it and you will wear the songs out.