On The Bandstand (CD)

Based around numbers he was performing in his live shows, 1963’s On the Bandstand features a mix of self-penned songs and then-current country favorites. Besides Buck, the spotlight shines on individual band members throughout the album. Speaking of the band, they were mere months away from being named The Buckaroos, courtesy of Merle Haggard who served briefly as their bass player before moving on to his own solo career. The sole hit on the original version of the album was “Kickin’ Our Hearts Around,” a song written especially for Buck by Capitol Records label mate Wanda Jackson. This edition of the albums adds two bonus tracks: a rerecording of “Sweethearts in Heaven” and “We’re the Talk of the Town.” Both songs included duet partner Rose Maddox and both songs, the A and B sides of the same 45 RPM single, were Top Twenty hits. Forget the “Orange Blossom Special,” there was no stopping the Buck Owens’ express!

• Format Detail: CD
• Format: CD
• Genre: Country