Buck Owens & His Buckaroos- Carnegie Hall Concert
Label: Capitol
Producer: Ken Nelson
One of country music’s most revered live recordings, Carnegie Hall Concert is a fascinating musical time capsule showcasing both one of country’s greatest entertainers, and its greatest supporting ensembles at the top of their game. Recorded in the spring of 1966 and in the midst of a stunning streak of No. 1 records, Buck Owens performs with the brimming confidence and gusto of an unstoppable musical superstar, and the superb Buckaroos, led by Owens’ beloved musical sideman Don Rich, match the legend’s golden twang note for note with their astute, crisp playing. This is the Bakersfield Sound in all its glory. The electric West Coast sound which revitalized the genre in the 60s sounds just as fresh and tangible today as it did five and a half decades ago.
Not only did the record serve as a pinnacle moment in the career of Buck Owens, but for country music as well. Playing the historic Carnegie stage was certainly no small feat for any artist. It was an achievement on another scale entirely for one of the country & western variety, given New York City’s limited country following. That infamous void remains in the Big Apple even today despite the format’s notable shift toward a more mainstream, urban sound. So in the humble country world of the 60s, the opportunity to command a New York crowd was reserved for only the most elite entertainers. Owens certainly fit that description, but even he was reluctant to book the show, worried that it wouldn’t attract a crowd. But any doubts over the show’s success or shades of distance between the performer and his audience are nowhere to be found on the record. The mood of the crowd heard here is overflowing with a roaring energy and jubilant, spontaneous spirit. It’s a looser, livelier vibe than the more uptown, sophisticated tone that surely filled the legendary Hall during a typical evening performance. Owens and his boys hold their audience in the palm of their hands, whether it be with the electric California swagger of a multitude of honky tonk classics like “Act Naturally”, “Love’s Gonna Live Here” and “I’ve Got A Tiger By the Tail”, or the lonesome country longing of steel-laden standards like “Together Again”.
Unafraid to share the spotlight, Owens shows off his talented troops with the pride and humility of a generous leader. Doyle Holly delivers a sturdy rendition of the timeless cowboy classic, “Streets of Laredo”, and the entire band raises the rafters with their perennial instrumental hit, “Buckaroo”, a tremendous display of their inimitable telecaster sound. Arguably most enjoyable however is the band’s joyful comedy bits. “Fun n’ Games with Don and Doyle” featured comedic impressions of country royalty like Tex Ritter, Ernest Tubb, and Johnny Cash and sets the stage for the show’s infectious penultimate performance, a dizzying cover of The Beatles’ “Twist and Shout”. The Fab Four had, of course, demonstrated their mild country leanings one year prior with a cover of “Act Naturally”.
Even with all its entertaining side skits and inspiring crowd banter, the highlight of this record remains the impressive musical prowess on display. Irresistible melodies, rich harmonies, clean and boisterous musicianship, all coupled with Owens’ endearing, infectious character. All these factors combined to create a unique, electric sound that is even more impressive in this live setting than it was on Owens’ most cherished studio recordings. It’s a timeless record that preserves one of country music’s most iconic and important performances, a testament to the genre’s ability to entertain on the same level as rock & roll. Turn it on and you’ll find yourself quickly lost and enthralled in the live musical atmosphere that radiates from your speakers. You may even feel like you’re right there amidst the crowd, on the night that this prestigious Manhattan venue was effortlessly transformed into a California honky tonk.
Track Listing
- Introduction by DJ Lee Arnold
- “Act Naturally” (Johnny Russell, Voni Morrison)
- “Together Again” (Buck Owens)
- “Love’s Gonna Live Here” (Owens)
- Medley: “In the Palm of Your Hand” (Owens)/”Cryin’ Time” (Owens)/”Don’t Let Her Know” (Owens, Bonnie Owens, Don Rich)/”Only You (Can Break My Heart)” (Owens)
- Medley: “I Don’t Care (Just As Long As You Love Me)” (Owens)/”My Heart Skips A Beat” (Owens)/”Gonna Have Love” (Owens, Red Simpson)
- Buck Talks to the Audience
- “Waitin’ In Your Welfare Line” (Owens, Rich, Nat Stuckey)
- Buck Introduces the Band
- “Buckaroo” (Bob Morris)
- “Streets of Laredo”- solo by Doyle Holly (Ray Evans, Jay Livingston)
- “I’ve Got A Tiger By the Tail” (Owens, Harlan Howard)
- Fun n’ Games with Don and Doyle
- “Twist and Shout” (Phil Medley, Bert Russell)
- Medley: “Under Your Spell Again” (Owens, Dusty Rhodes)/”Above and Beyond” (Howard)/”Excuse Me (I Think I’ve Got a Heartache)” (Owens)/”Foolin’ Around” (Owens, Howard)/”Hello Trouble” (Orville Couch, Eddie McDuff)/”Truck Drivin’ Man” (Terry Fell)
- Buck’s Closing Remarks
The 706 
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