I also said this about that album: "Having said all that this album, comes at mid point in Owens career … and on this particular album the electric honky tonk is toned down. The album is made up of ballads and mid tempo songs and there are backing voices and various instrumental incidentals around the edges that smooth out some of the edges. On top of that Buck has covered 3 Paul Simon songs, a Dylan and a Donovan. As a result of all this the album moves closer to the country pop sound popular at the time, but, regardless it does not sound like anything coming out of Nashville. The regional accents are alive and well and even the most maudlin of tracks have a crisp little bite to them. There is no mistaking that this is anything but country music".
This album is from the same period as the others I have commented on ("I Wouldn't Live in new York City" is from 1971) so the sound and Buck's temperament is fairly consistent across the albums.
This album has a good many songs recorded by Buck before, re-recorded here, as well as quite a few new songs. Country music (like blues and rock before the Beatles) was about work, not art. Accordingly, the music is about product (and live shows) … it is not unusual for country artists to re-record songs and have albums put out to capitalise on singles. And Buck was a workhorse – he put out some 50 albums between 1960 and 1980. What is impressive is the general consistent high quality of the material (at least from what I have heard).
Tracks (best in italics)
-
In the Palm of Your Hand – Owens – "in love" or "p whipped"? Either way a excellent song. Buck's grimly determined vocal suits the narrators desperation perfectly. Originally recorded by Buck in 1966.
- There Goes My Love – Owens – another love song. This is incredibly catchy and one of the best country songs about pleading love. It's beautifully written and says everything in its two and half minutes. Looks like Buck is still "In the Palm of Her Hand"…
There goes the girl that I love so
There goes the arms that used to hold me tight
There goes the reason that I sigh
There goes the reason that I cry
There goes the lips I used to kiss goodnight
There goes my love
- Made in Japan – Morris, Morris – another winner … for all of you who have or who have had the "y fever" … I know you are out there. Extremely well written. But what really makes it great again is Buck's vocal. Again, he has the right amount of country twang in his voice and he sings the song straight but manages to steer away from the potentially maudlin subject matter.
And when it's night over here over there it's a breakin day
I remember all the good times I had a walkin in the sand
With the beautiful girl that I met made in Japan
Like cherry blossoms blooming in the mountain in the early spring
As we walked by the river and she softly took hold of my hand
That's when I fell deep in love with the girl made in Japan
And the singin of the birds woke us up at the break of day
Her smiling eyes always seemed to try to understand
All the love in my heart for the girl made in Japan
And when it's night over here over there it's a breakin day
She cried when she said she'd been promised to another man
That's when I left my heart with the girl made in Japan
Yes my heart will always be with the girl made in Japan.
- Sweethearts in Heaven – Owens – a more traditional country song lyric but well done… originally recorded by Buck in 1963.
- Arms Full of Empty – Owens – Buck must have been obsessed with some chick ... another love song where he will gladly take the woman back. Looks like Bucks still "In the Palm of Her Hand"… great word play
Done me wrong and that ain't funny
Left me standing here a looking silly
Jump aboard that silver plane
(Wave to me through the window pane)
Left me with my arms full of empty.
I promise you that I won't be mad
For I never was one to burn bridges
I ain't had no tender loving care
Since you've been gone
I've only had two arms full of empty.
- You Ain't Gonna Have Ol' Buck to Kick Around No More – Owens – aahh that's more like it. For anyone who's been in the palm of her hand and been used. Near perfect … "The next sound that you hear will be the slamming of the door"
The last time was the last time and this time it's for sure
The next sound that you hear will be the slamming of the door
And you ain't gonna have ol' Buck to kick around no more.
- Whole Lot of Somethin' – Alan –
But what have I got to show for all that now
I've got a broken heart and that's somethin' you seem to lack
It's gonna take a whole lot of somethin' to bring you back…
It's gonna take a whole lot of somethin' to bring you back
- Get Out of Town Before Sundown – Owens – more than a hint of Kris Kristofferson's "Me and Bobby McGee" and very catchy (it could almost be a response to that song).
- Something's Wrong – Owens – an excellent country ballad about a relationship gone sour. Can lyrics get more honest?
Something's wrong when your lips have turned to stone
When the love of your life turns into a waste of time
When there's no peace of mind something's wrong
- I Love You So Much It Hurts – Owens – Buck is back in the "palm of her hand" …
I'll still tag along
'Cause I love you so much it hurts…
And …
Well this is clearly Bucks love album. Just about every song is about a singular obsessional love. Though in true country style there are the flipside "when the love is over" songs as well. This is one of the best Buck albums I have heard thus far … though it is short ( around 26 minutes) … 'm a keepin this, pardner.
Charts Action
1973 In The Palm Of Your Hand Country Albums #21
1972 Made In Japan Country Singles #1 (Bucks last #1)
1972 You Ain't Gonna Have Ol' Buck To Kick Around No More Country Singles #13
1973 Arms Full Of Empty Country Singles #27
1973 In The Palm Of Your Hand Country Singles #23
Made in Japan
Arms Full of Empty
