The Baron of Bakersfield

The "Bakersfield Sound" washed over America like a tidal wave at a time when Nashville had become homogonized & completely lost it's edge. Artists like Tommy Collins, Wynn Stewart, Red Simpson, Kay Adams, & later Merle Haggard, hit the charts with a rhythm heavy sound that incorporated influences from rock 'n roll, mexican polka & western swing. Writers of the day likened it to a freight train running right though your livingroom.

And nobody typified this sound more than Buck Owens & his fabulous Buckaroos, including the late Don Rich, Buck's lead guitarist, fiddler & harmony singer. Their remarkable string of hits have made him a true west coast honkytonk legend, & rightly so...don't listen to that wag who moved outta Bakersfield 'cause he didn't like it!

If I have any complaint it's the lack of any rarities, album tracks featuring the other Buckaroos, or early non-Capitol singles, including Buck's rockabilly meltdown, "Rhythm & Booze," released on PEP Records under the nom de plume "Corky Jones."

Go out & get this boxset...& then do yourself a favor & check out the Sundazed Records rereleases of Buck's Capitol Records Lps on CD for the rest of the story!