Caught in the Carousel

The Derailers

Under the Influence of Buck
Palo Duro Records

The problem with Buck Owens tunes is that they’re all so infinitely memorable, singable, and likeable that they appear on Country karaoke lists across the country. The downside of all that is, after thirteen beers, almost anyone views themselves as an accomplished singer worthy of singing lead vocals just like Buck, and the song is handily butchered. I’d even go so far as to say that Buck Owens’ songs are vandalized by drunken yahoos more than any other country songs in America. I may have even traveled that road myself a few times, and if I did, consider this my formal apology to Buck, may he rest in peace.

In the hands of the Derailers, however (and Buck, you can stop spinning now), the thirteen tunes here are elevated to their rightful place in the here and now world of country music. Brian Hofeldt is so adept at singing like Buck that I’m pretty sure he’s channeling him, while the light touch of Chris Scholtzhauer on steel guitar keeps it all real. No one’s showing off here. The Derailers don’t really bring anything new to the project except for on a couple of numbers, like “Who’s Gonna Mow Your Lawn?” and “Big In Vegas,” where there’s a certain freshness to the arrangements. The rest of the cuts are as comfortable as an old pair of shoes: “Foolin’ Around,” “Down On The Corner Of Love” and “Cryin’ Time” are performed with tender respect and they even throw in Chuck Berry’s “Johnny B. Goode” for “Good” measure (get it?). Overall, a nice, respectful tribute to the man who wrote the songs that make the whole world sing badly.

—Yvonne Prinz