8 of 8 people found the following review helpful:
4.0 out of 5 stars
+1/2 -- Bakersfield praises the Lord, January 5, 2004
This review is from: Dust on Mother's Bible (Audio CD)
The bulk of this album was recorded at the end of 1965, right in the middle of Owens' phenomenal run of Bakersfield Sound recordings. The albums "I've Got a Tiger By the Tail" and "Christmas With Buck Owens" were lighting up the charts, and the Buckaroos triumphant Carnegie Hall concert was just ahead in 1966. This timing produced twelve original songs of faith that were written and recorded to the band's high-powered twang, rather than being adaptations of the band to a more traditional gospel sound.
From the opening bars of "Pray Every Day," it's clear that the joyful sound of the Buckaroos' hits was perfectly suited to stories of prayer, bible and family. Owens sings with the full-throated honky-tonk conviction of Hank Williams', but with harmonies (either his own, or those of Don Rich) mindful of the Louvin Brothers. Add the twang of Telecasters and pedal steel, and you have the soundtrack to Bakersfield's salvation.
Owens co-wrote many of the album's songs with the legendary Red Simpson; he also co-wrote a pair of tunes, "Bring it to Jesus" and "Eternal Vacation," with his mother, Macie. The album's title tune, along with "I'll Go to Church Again with Momma," recall Macie's own mother, Mary Myrtle, and reflect on the supportive family from which Owens' career sprang. The album is a Bakersfield hymnal of waltzes ("Jesus Saved Me" "All the Way With Jesus"), two-steppers ("Would You Be Ready?" "Satan's Gotta Get Along Without Me"), and fiddle-and-steel weepers ("Dust on Mother's Bible"). Every one of them is stamped through-and-through with the classic Buckaroos sound.
For reasons unknown, this album was not released with the bulk of Sundazed's reissues in the late `90s. Wrong finally righted, it's time for fans to rejoice and enjoy this essential entry in the Buck Owens catalog.
4-1/2 stars, if allowed fractional ratings.
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2 of 3 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
Maybe the BEST Buck album, November 4, 2004
This review is from: Dust on Mother's Bible (Audio CD)
In terms of sheer consistency and quality of songs, Dust On Mother's Bible might be the best Buck and the Buckaroos album. I'm not a religious person, but these songs are moving and entertaining at the same time. Pick this one up regardless of your beliefs. Honky Tonk Saviors would have been another appropriate title with multiple meanings!
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4.0 out of 5 stars
Let God be your guide., July 11, 2007
This review is from: Dust on Mother's Bible (Audio CD)
In 1966, Buck Owens released his first gospel album. Except for the fact that songs are spiritual, the music sounds about the same as the music on Buck's other albums of the time period. The music is played by Buck's regular backing group, the Buckaroos. Unlike other singers who added organs or choirs to their gospel records, Buck kept his sound intact. The songs were recorded in late 1965, except for two songs that were recorded much earlier in 1961. The songs are all originals, with most of them being written or co-written by Buck (Buck's mother wrote three of the songs with him). The songs are all good, with "Dust on Mother's Bible" being the obvious standout. Buck's fans will enjoy this album, especially if they are religious.
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