Buck Owens - Bridge Over Troubled Water [RSD, Clear Vinyl]

Bakersfield Sound pioneers Buck Owens and the Buckaroos [His Buckaroos seen on the cover] ventured into unexpected territory with Bridge Over Troubled Water, released in 1971 on Capitol Records. The album finds Buck and his band embracing the folk-rock sensibilities of Simon & Garfunkel, Bob Dylan, and Donovan, trading their trademark Telecasters for acoustic guitars, dobro, and harpsichord. Produced and recorded at Buck Owens' Studios in Bakersfield, California, this controversial yet successful experiment saw chart action and demonstrated Owens' willingness to evolve beyond traditional country boundaries. This Record Store Day Black Friday 2021 exclusive celebrates the album's 50th anniversary with an all-analog remaster by Kevin Gray, cut directly from the original reels and pressed on limited edition clear vinyl with only 2,250 copies produced.

The 10-track album balances covers of contemporary folk-rock standards with strong Owens originals. The title track, a cover of Paul Simon's composition, reached the Top 10 on the country charts and showcases the Buckaroos' sophisticated harmonies and restraint. "Homeward Bound" and "Love Minus Zero/No Limit" continue the folk-rock thread, while Donovan's "Catch The Wind" receives a heartfelt country interpretation. Owens' originals shine equally bright, particularly "San Francisco Town," an acoustic-and-dobro meditation on a hospitable city that stands alongside his earlier classic "Streets of Bakersfield." "Within My Loving Arms" and "Everything Reminds Me You're Gone" reveal the depth of Owens' songwriting beyond his honky-tonk hits, with "(I'm Goin') Home" and "Devil Made Me Do That" rounding out the original compositions.

This all-analog clear vinyl pressing delivers pristine sound quality that captures the album's intimate production and instrumental details. Kevin Gray's mastering from the original master tapes brings clarity to Jim Shaw's harpsichord and organ work, the interplay between Buck Owens and Don Rich on rhythm guitars, and the subtle nuances of the Buckaroos' backing vocals. The limited edition pressing includes original liner notes and artwork, housed in a picture sleeve that honors the album's place in Owens' pioneering catalog.

• Format: Clear Vinyl LP
• Standout tracks: "Bridge Over Troubled Water," "San Francisco Town," "Homeward Bound"
• Pressing details: Record Store Day Black Friday 2021 exclusive, limited to 2,250 copies, all-analog mastering by Kevin Gray from original tapes, clear vinyl, 50th anniversary edition
• Genre/style: Bakersfield Sound, Country, Folk-Rock, Americana
• UPC: 090771559814

Though initially controversial among traditional country purists, Bridge Over Troubled Water has aged remarkably well and stands as testament to Buck Owens' open-minded approach to music. This limited edition clear vinyl pressing from Sundazed Music offers a rare opportunity to own a beautifully remastered version of one of country music's most daring departures.

* The Spotify track list may not exactly represent the tracks and audio of this LP edition.

Track List:

Side A:

1. Bridge Over Troubled Water
2. Within My Loving Arms
3. (I'm Goin') Home
4. The Devil Made Me Do That
5. Catch The Wind

Side B:

1. San Francisco Town
2. Everything Reminds Me You're Gone
3. Homeward Bound
4. Love Minus Zero - No Limit
5. I Am A Rock