Customer Reviews

Ruby

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

 

 

Hot on the heels of Owens' "Bridge Over Troubled Water" release, the Bakersfield superstar took another unusual turn, dropping the twangy telecasters and shuffle beats in favor of ten electrified bluegrass tunes. Producing himself at his own Bakersfield studio, Owens launched into a collection of both classic and obscure covers, with two originals (one by Owens, one by his son Buddy Alan) to fill out the short ten track songlist.

The addition of banjo player Ron Jackson provided an acoustic touchstone for the Buckaroos to play bluegrass, but this is still bluegrass ala Bakersfield. In particular, there are plenty of drums and Jim Shaw's piano and organ figure strongly into several tracks. The harmonies of Owens and Don Rich fit these songs nicely, even if they don't break into the traditional bluegrass roles.

The album's two singles, "Ruby (Are You Mad)" and "Rollin' in My Sweet Baby's Arms" are both winners, and album tracks "I Know You're Married But I Love You Still" (known best in its 1966 incarnation by Bill Anderson and Jan Howard), "Rocky Top," and Johnnie and Jack's "Ashes of Love" are all fine spins. This isn't Owens' strongest outings, but it shows off how fluidly he and the Buckaroos could play to their varied influences.

3-1/2 stars, if allowed fractional ratings.

Give Buck Owens credit - he knew that the "freight train " sound was growing a bit stale and he was willing to experiment. I'VE GOT YOU ON MY MIND AGAIN was the first album to feature background voices and strings, something he continued on the next studio album TALL DARK STRANGER (both 1969). In 1971 Owens took a more contemporary turn with his BRIDGE OVER TROUBLED WATER album, which was recorded without fiddle or steel guitar and featured songs by the likes of Paul Simon and Donovan. Later in 1971 came RUBY AND OTHER BLUEGRASS SPECIALS

Not exactly bluegrass in it's instrumentation (marred by drums and organ) it nevertheless is a fun romp through eight bluegrass classics plus two from the Buck Owens catalogue recast as bluegrass. Both singles issued from the album, "Rollin' In My Sweet Baby's Arms" and "Ruby (Honey Are You Mad At Your Man)" went to #1 on the more sales-oriented Cashbox charts (Billboard had them at #2 and #3 respectively). The title cut was a hit the year before for the Osborne Brothers, so it was still fresh in the public memory as was "Rocky Top" the Osborne Brthers big hit from 1968. "Ole Slew Foot" was part of both the country and bluegrass repertoire and so was familiar to fans of both genres although the only hit on the song was by Porter Wagoner. "I Know You're Married But I Love You Still" was one of the most requested tunes for the beloved bluegrass duo of Don Reno & Red Smiley. Of course, everyone knows "Uncle Pen".

Owens didn't stray too far from bluegrass with his next album TOO OLD TO CUT THE MUSTARD, with son Buddy Alan. but Owens never again returned to the genre after that. Good clean fun - equal emphasis on all three words

While primarily a country artist, Buck established his "roots cred" way back in 1972 with this compilation of bluegrass standards and a couple of newly penned 'grass songs by him and his son, Buddy Alan. "Corn Liquor", the song composed by Buddy, could easily be mistaken for an old standard as it is so true to the genre in style and presentation.
When a friend of mine played this album for me, him having purchased it back when it first came out, I was delightedly shocked and amazed. I was unaware that Buck ever did any bluegrass renderings with the exception of his occasional foray into a 'grass number on "Hee Haw". Whether you're a bluegrass afficionado or a Buck Owens fan or both, this is a must have for your collection. If you're neither, this is the album that could change your mind.
Buck's high tenor lends itself to the style so masterfully and the arrangements are some of the best of any I have heard for each song. Add to that Don Rich's (et. al.) harmony and his superb fiddling (yes, Don played an excellent fiddle long before he played that twangy Fender) and this album is on par with any fulltime bluegrass artists' offerings out there. Jackson's banjo picking is hard-driving, Scruggs-style icing on the cake.
"I Know You're Married..." is just one example of how he took a great song and made it even better. Reno/Smiley's (composers) version, and all the other covers I have heard, come nowhere near the soulfulness of Owens'. And every other cut, all the ones you've heard done over and over, are given a new, more vibrant twist under the skillful hand of Buck. They have drums, so purists beware. But that in no way detracts from the mastery and genius and talent that will never be equalled in the Owens/Rich tag-team on "Ruby".