Customer Reviews

Carnegie Hall Concert

5 star:		(6)
4 star:		(3)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

In addition to the incredible songwriting, singing and playing, Owens and his band show just what hotshot entertainers they were. Their staging, replete with skits, song stops for quick punchlines, and Buck's interaction with the audience (something he continues to do to this very day) weave their brilliant work into a whole lot more than a simple recitation of their hit song catalog.

By this 1966 date, their catalog was too extensive to be played through in a single show, hence three medleys are used to cover a lot of ground. Even with those thirteen abbreviated titles, they had plenty of material left to play in full form. Owens' voice carries from the stage even more powerfully than it does in the studio, and the tightness of his harmonies with Don Rich are mesmerizing. The telepathy between Owens and Rich goes a long way to explaining the former's depression upon the 1974 death of the latter.

The confidence with which the band kicks into every number is simply astonishing. Owens segues his introductions seamlessly into the opening line of a song, and the band follows without the slightest hint of hesitation. They are at once tight and coherent as on record, but with the looseness and swing of musicians intimately familiar with each other's playing. Each track bursts with the elation of musicians playing in a band firing on all cylinders. The response from the audience echoes the energy coming from the stage.

If the Buckaroos weren't the very best band playing live in 1966 (and this recording suggests they might have been), they were certainly among the very top. This recording captures them in a signature show; a must-have for fans of the Bakersfield sound. Sundazed's reissue (apparently the first since the album's original release) adds bonus tracks to the original (all in superb stereo), along with backstage photos, the original and new liner notes and remembrances from original Buckaroos, Willie Cantu, Doyle Holly and Tom Brumley.

Certainly one of the best live country albums. But Owens and his band talk, play and joke around too much: a 50 min CD with only 25 min of music... But what music!

For someone like me, that was 4 when this lp was recorded, this recording is a kind of an historic monument. You can hear one of the best live country acts of the time as it was today. The sound is great, Buck and the band are in great shape, the audience is entusiastic and Buck knows how to entertain. Great live recording, maybe one of the best live recordings of country music.

I love live albums and this one is a dandy. Although I was never a huge Buck Owens fan, I found this CD to be thoroughly enjoyable. To me, the between song banter makes it that much more fun.

Every Buck Owens fan should own this live disc with the original line up. Some of the between song banter can be a little much, but the performance is EXCELLENT. Check out In London(1969)as well, different band, but equally as GOOD!

My mother bought Buck Owens and his buckaroos live at carnegie hall for my father for christmas. My father said it is a brillant cd and that he can't stop playing it since he got it.

What can be said...this is Buck Owens and the Buckaroos at their prime !

The Bakersfield sound at its best.

A terrific example of Buck's style and a lot of his best Tunes. Be sure to get the version of the concert on the Sundazed label and not the poor quality mono version on the Country Music found label.

If you are a major Buckaroo fan, you may like this. I agree with the reviewer who says Buck does a little bit too much talking on this album.

BUT, when not talking, the music is great. Don Rich was a SUPERB guitar/fiddle player.

I'm a big fan of Buck, but this is a concert that would be enjoyed a lot more on DVD. The banter and medley of songs doesn't make for great listening. Possessing the pictures and liner notes with the CD will make you wistful.