Derailers - Under the Influence of Buck

No frills tribute

The Derailers doing a Buck Owens tribute was as likely-- and as welcome--as kd lang doing a Patsy Kline tribute. The influence of Bakersfield on the Derailers has been evident since their first album in the mid-nineties.

"Under the Influence of Buck" is comprised of twelve Buck Owens originals and, to round out the baker's dozen, "Johnny B. Goode," a tune that Owens frequently covered.

The Derailers take no liberties with Owens' music and they offer nothing new in the way of interpretation. This is as earnest and straight-ahead a tribute as you'll find, a literal reading of the Buck Owens setlist. But whatever the Derailers intentionally lack in innovation and interpretation, they more than compensate for in enthusiasm, spirit and exceptional musicianship.

The lead story here is the skill and interplay of pedal steel player Chris Schlotzhauer and six string player Brian Hofeldt. The pairing of the two results in some of the best honky tonk licks since Dwight Yokum's Bakersfield-inspired work of the late eighties.

There's some "Hee Haw" cornball pieces like "Who's Gonna Mow Your Grass" and "Tiger by the Tail," but there's some surprisingly introspective work, too: "Big In Vegas" conveys yearning, loss and a persistence of dreams of stardom that would work well in any country set. The song is oddly but effectively showcased here, set among 12 other songs that are unwaveringly earthy and direct. There's also a great little "easter egg" concluding the CD: an unlisted and fiddle solo (an Owens composition "Cajun Fiddle" performed by Haydn Vitera) that serves as a coda for the album and a suitable epitaph for the man himself.

This is a very atmospheric and mostly very listenable album. It's the album that the Derailers--a great bar band in the tradition of Commander Cody--was destined to make.

Note: Copyright 2007 Elmore Magazine and reprinted with permission. December 20, 2007

Derailers - Under The Influence Of Buck

A great likeness to their hero. If I didn't know it wasn't Buck, I might have been fooled. December 13, 2007

OK, But why buy an imitation?

It's ok, but nothing near the original recordings. Buy the three CD Box Set of the "Buck Owens Collection 1959-1990." That's got enough Buck to keep you busy for a long time. It's recorded better and it's the real deal. December 12, 2007

The Derailers did Buck proud

Every track on this recording is a gem. The Derailers stayed true to the Buck Owens and Bucaroos sound. Any Buck Owens fan or anyone who likes good old country music will love this cd. December 7, 2007

Makes you think this is Buck

What a great CD. The Derailers capture the essence of Buck. If you only like "new country", you will not like this CD. If you are partial to Classic Country, this is the CD for you. November 2, 2007

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