Search - Buck Owens :: 21 #1 Hits: The Ultimate Collection

Forget Hee Haw For Just A Minute

Keith A. Meacham | Marshfield, WI USA | 04/04/2008

(5 out of 5 stars)

"My introduction to Country Music was from Buck Owens, Buck, long before Hee Haw. I grew up watching buck on his television program, "Buck Owens Ranch" and had a pre-dilection for "Tiger By The Tail" as a youngster. I have visited Youtube to watch old video clips of Buck performing in his pre-Hee Haw days. What I still consider THE Buck Owens and his Buckaroos, Doyle Holly, Willie Cantu, Don Rich and Tom Brumley.



And here they are in this CD. This was all I wanted, all the songs I remember from Buck's pre-Hee Haw days, sung with Buck's own distinctive style and emotion, backed up by the never-to-be-forgotten vocals of the Late Don Rich.



From Buck introducing me to Country, I have back-tracked to Hank Williams. Sr., George Jones and Carl Perkins, among others. Buck can tip his artistical hat to the late Hank Williams, for Hank had a "Driving Freight Train Sound" in his music with his Roving Cowboy band sound. Hank kept his music predominantly country sounding, where Buck added the Telecaster electric guitar to achieve a Rockabilly sound Hank would have had, had Hank allowed his lead guitar men, Sammy Pruett, Bob McNett and Alton Lister, to cut loose like Don Rich did for Buck.



The origins of Buck's ultimate sound coming from Hank Williams is unmistakable. Perhaps that is why it wasn't hard for me to find Hank after Buck introduced me to Country Music.



Like Hank, Buck Owens had a certain "cry" in his voice at the right time, though not a "break". Buck had unmistakable singing quality that, coupled with the distinctive sound driven from the Buckaroos, made an Owens' record stand out, time after time. Buck had a great Country singing voice; you'll hear it here.



All of Buck's classics, from "Tiger By The Tail", to "Love's Gonna Live Here", to "Open Up Your Heart", among the fine classics on this CD. Buck Owens has unmistakable, largely ignored talent that was overshadowed by his tenure on Hee Haw. Unfortunate, that, because Buck Owens was one of the greats of Country Music, amassing 21 number 1's in just 12 years.



And, in my own opinion, the end Of Buck Owens' lead as a top-selling Country Singer came by two unfortunate events: Hee Haw and the sad, untimely death of Don Rich, Buck's musical alter ego and friend. Buck himself was never the same after Don Rich's death, and his music showed it, among other issues.



This CD is definitely the Ultimate Collection, worth your time to be introduced to the man and his band that gave direct influence to Dwight Yokel, Brad Paisley, et. al., but a man who's star shines far brighter that those artists that followed Buck's musical lead. Buck was a showman in his own right, with talent to boot. Enjoy each and every track, as you'll never regret buying this CD. You'll find that Buck Owens was the link between the Country sound of Hank Williams to Dwight Yokel and others that enulate the "Bakersfield Sound"."

Solid Collection But Better Buck Owen Collections Out There

Original Mixed Up-Kid | New York United States | 12/22/2007

(5 out of 5 stars)

"For starters, this is a great sounding CD BUT the only addition to it not found on Rhino Records earlier releases of Buck Owens "Greatest" (Volume 1 and 2 is the "Streets Of Bakersfield/Dwight Yoakam"..if you want this cut in an elegant looking cover photo with less tracks than the earlier 2 volumes than this is for you.

The earlier releases of Vol. 1 and 2 both boast strong liner notes and the usual superb sound quality Rhino is known for.

You can't go wrong either way.

"

The best Buck Owens CD to own! Outstanding!

Robert G. Martinez | Brooksville FL | 08/18/2008

(5 out of 5 stars)

"I first heard of Buck Owens thru the Beatles' Act Naturally version back in 1965 or so. As time went on I began to appreciate Buck's remarkable band and talent. His records sounded so clean and featured twangy Fender guitars. His band leader, Don Rich was a model of restrained professionalism. Clean and accurate picking, not fast or flashy. Buck was an outstanding singer and his two part harmonies were his trademark. All these songs were No. 1s on the country charts and date from Act Naturally in 1963 to 1988's Streets of Bakersfield with Dwight Yoakum featuring Flaco Jiminez on accordian. WOW! What a great CD this is. There isn't a bad cut on it! If you only want one Buck Owens CD, this is the one! It's too bad most younger people only remember him as a cornfield clown on Hee-Haw, because Buck Owens was truly one of the greatest country stars in its history."