BUCK OWENS - The Kansas City Song - (Capitol) - 1970, Bakersfield, Country, Music

Regular readers of this blog will know I have a fondness for Buck Owens.

His material from the 1960s is what he is remembered for. That and his pioneering (along with Merle Haggard) of what became known as the Bakersfield sound.

Wikipedia: " The Bakersfield sound was a genre of country music developed in the mid- to late 1950s in and around Bakersfield, California. Bakersfield country was a reaction against the slickly produced, string orchestra-laden Nashville sound, which was becoming popular in the late 1950s. Buck Owens and the Buckaroos, Tommy Collins, and Merle Haggard and the Strangers, are the most successful artists of the original Bakersfield sound era"

The by-product beauty of the Bakersfield sound was that it ended up influencing many rock musicians especially those on the west coast and perhaps contributing the evolution of Country Rock.

Buck, especially in the 1969 – 1973 period covered non-country songs, and, with his own material took chances in instrumentation and lyrical content. "Bridge Over Troubled Water" (1971) and "In The Palm of Your Hand" (1973) are two of his best albums I have heard from this period and excellent albums by anyone's standards.

Around this time Buck had the knack of making anything sound good. That's not to say that everything he did was great, though. There are a few duds but generally all his material is listenable. And, he can be forgiven for missteps because, along with many country artists, he was quite prolific.

This was his 20th studio album in 10 years.

And, this album is a mixed bag.

The back sleeve of the album declares "Bakersfield's Good Will Ambassador with his tribute home parts, foreign places and people in love …"

And that pretty much sums up the album. Apparently, Buck toured northern Europe during the sessions for this album, or perhaps just before, which explains the Dutch and Scandinavian themed songs. There are very few negative vibes on this album, no social commentary and no heartbreak (even when things don't always go right for people in love) … this is very un-country!

OK, I am trying to be humorous but a country album needs it's fair share of heartbreak …it is white mans blues.

"The Kansas City Song " and (It's a Long Way to) London Town were both rerecorded for this album of songs about places, "I Wouldn’t Live in New York City" (1971).

All songs written by Buck apart from the title song and "I’d Love To Be Your Man" which he co-wrote with red Simpson (who is in his backing band the Buckaroos).

Tracks (best in italics)

The Kansas City Song – Chintzy keyboards open the song but otherwise this is solid Buck and another country song about separated love.
Bring Back My Peace Of Mind – a beautiful Buck ballad
(It's A Long Way To) Londontown – a gently humorous song
I'd Love To Be Your Man – This song is quite Nashville for a Bakersfield boy – lots of pedal steel and strings.
You Can't Make Nothing Out Of That But Love – bouncy and slick
Amsterdam – a ode to Amsterdam and a good one at that. I wonder what would Jacques Brel would think? (cryptic)

I left my home and I left my friends said I'll be back but I don't know when

Set my sail to the restless wind so long old Amsterdam

I picked plums up in Yakimo and I picked pearles down in Arkansas

Even learned how to say you all but I still miss Amsterdam

Amsterdam old Amsterdam…

I did my thing in Tokyo tried my luck in Kokomo

Searched for bill in Buffalo but I still miss Amsterdam

Black Texas Dirt – one of the few "downbeat" songs. Dramatic, with a spoken bridge. The narrator defiantly stands up (and leaves) to the harshness of his this birthplace but can't escape it.

From way before sunup to way up to sundown

Papa walked behind that ol' mule

Until the day that they laid him away

He lived by the golden rule.

Black Texas dirt you're full of hurt

And you won't grow nothing but weeds

You took my mama and papa, it's true

But you ain't a gonna get me.

and then:

Black Texas dirt you're full of hurt

And you won't grow nothing but weeds

You took my mama and papa, it's true

And now you're a gonna take me…

Scandinavian Polka – an instrumental, and despite Buck's tour of Scandinavia a reminder that many working country bands had to play music for ethnic minority audiences
The Wind Blows Every Day In Oklahoma – a good song and a melancholy song about love.
Full Time Daddy – Buck goes ragtime! The sounds of the 20s were revived in the late 60s and early 70s (think New Vaudeville Band) and Buck had his ear to the ground. It is odd though.

And …

Not the best but good enough …. I'm keeping it.

Chart Action

Singles

1970 The Kansas City Song Country Singles #2

Album

1970 #10 Country, #196 Pop

England

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Sounds

The Kansas City Song

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5uusbIe8-nE