Vince Gill &
Paul Franklin – Bakersfield
Paul Franklin – Bakersfield
It is a rare occurrence when the stars line up together to create a
celestial event that becomes unique and unforgettable.
celestial event that becomes unique and unforgettable.
That statement could describe an astronomical event recorded in the
sky, or it could be the description of something incredible recorded on a multi
track machine. In this case we are
speaking of the 2nd choice.
sky, or it could be the description of something incredible recorded on a multi
track machine. In this case we are
speaking of the 2nd choice.
The last time I was so moved by a musical collaboration was when Johnny
Cash was teamed with Joe Strummer on Redemption Song written by Bob
Marley. When I first heard it I said to
myself, “This is just too much greatness all at once”.
Cash was teamed with Joe Strummer on Redemption Song written by Bob
Marley. When I first heard it I said to
myself, “This is just too much greatness all at once”.
So it is with Bakersfield.
Let us begin with the source of the songs.
We are offered music by 2 of the most influential and inspiring artists
of the 20th century. Every song, a
product of a greatest hits album.
of the 20th century. Every song, a
product of a greatest hits album.
Buck Owens & Merle Haggard are two sides of the same coin that was
tossed into the Kern River 50 years ago and keeps finding its way back to the
riverbank to be picked up and used to purchase a bit of truth.
tossed into the Kern River 50 years ago and keeps finding its way back to the
riverbank to be picked up and used to purchase a bit of truth.
The songs on this record are tiled in a way that we listen first to a
Buck Owens song, then a Merle Haggard song, and so on until the end.
Buck Owens song, then a Merle Haggard song, and so on until the end.
The Owens tunes are more light hearted with a touch of humor and an eye
for commercial success. In other words,
they rock.
for commercial success. In other words,
they rock.
The Haggard songs are much more complex and heavy. They are tales of disappointment, grief,
personal losses, despair, and anger.
personal losses, despair, and anger.
These are songs that, no matter how big and bad you are, when you
listen to them in the middle of the night with a bottle of wine, you are going
to have a tear in your eye.
listen to them in the middle of the night with a bottle of wine, you are going
to have a tear in your eye.
Now let us move on to the performing artists.
After all the years and all of the awards, we know what we are going to
get from Vince Gill. Gill is one of the
most talented and excellent artists in country music. On this record his clear and bright voice
does great justice to the styles and inflections of both Haggard and Owens.
get from Vince Gill. Gill is one of the
most talented and excellent artists in country music. On this record his clear and bright voice
does great justice to the styles and inflections of both Haggard and Owens.
The great surprise on this record for me was Paul Franklin.
To be honest, I have never heard such skill on a pedal steel guitar.
I have never been moved by such outpourings of emotion and outbursts of
excitement from a steel guitar. If the
engineer had mixed out the vocals and all the other instruments on this record,
I would still buy it just to hear him play.
excitement from a steel guitar. If the
engineer had mixed out the vocals and all the other instruments on this record,
I would still buy it just to hear him play.
Paul Franklin is a one man steel guitar symphony orchestra!
It took many years to collect and reproduce these songs. My only wish is that Merle and Buck were
still here with us to hear how well their work has been treated. They would have been very proud and happy.
still here with us to hear how well their work has been treated. They would have been very proud and happy.
Bakersfield was released in 2013 by MCA Nashville.
Reviewed by Joe Kidd –
JKSB Media LLC
JKSB Media LLC
(www.joekiddandsheilaburke.com)
for Country Music
International Magazine
International Magazine
22 April 2017