This album did not exactly miss my radar, to be honest I have been very busy. Running this wonderful website is an arduous task sometimes, but I wouldn’t trade it for anything. Its very hard to keep up with all the many outlets of music I enjoy.
One of the things I enjoy most about Country Music as a whole is the steel guitar, and those who bring (or brought) it to light. I read books and web articles on the Legends of the instrument and the sound of it one name emanates and shines brighter than others for me. That name is Mr. Tom Brumley. Mr. Tom died in Texas in 2009, and left us with many memories of that classic Bakersfield lineup having recorded with Mr. Buck Owens during the most prominent time of his career.
He was featured on the Harlan Howard classic “I’ve Got A tiger By The Tail”, the Johnny Russel classic “Act Naturally”, but more importantly his solo revolutionized the song “Together Again”. His unique style was coined “The Brumley Touch” by many he helped bring the Buckaroos to the hallowed Carnegie Hall, and recorded one of the finest LIVE albums in history.
Recently, this past December Omnivore Records released a splendid seventeen track album from his tenure with the Buckaroos, 1964-1969. Now this album was indeed heavily considered for my TOP 50 OF 2018, and almost made the list. The above link will take you directly to their website, where you can purchase the album. Here is Omnivore’s website description of this album:
Buck Owens’ masterful pedal steel guitarist, “Tender” Tom Brumley
There are many reasons Buck Owens and his Buckaroos were the hottest band in the world in the 1960s, but one is certainly Tom Brumley’s magically graceful touch on the pedal steel guitar. And as you’ll hear on this album, he’s also a fine Dobro picker.
Steelin’ The Show showcases Brumley’s skill and innovative playing by collecting 17 tracks from 9 releases from Buck and The Buckaroos, including “Together Again” that features Tom’s peerless solo—one of the most famous pedal steel guitar breaks ever recorded.
Not just a perfect primer for the uninitiated, but also a fantastic aural journey for fans—Steelin’ The Show features an introduction from Tom’s family Rolene, Tommy, Todd, and Tracie Brumley as well as photos from their personal family collection. Randy Poe, the co-writer of Buck’s acclaimed autobiography Buck ’Em, contributed liner notes.
“Buck always had great players, but Brumley was a true craftsman. He wasn’t flashy or self-indulgent. He always knew exactly what to play. His tone, his control, and his restraint were only matched by his pure jaw-dropping talent.”
—Scott B. Bomar
author, Grammy® nominee, and Bakersfield sound historian
- CD / Digital Track List:
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- Tom Cattin’
- Steel Guitar Rag
- Bud’s Bounce
- The Neosho Waltz
- Steel Guitar Polka
- Seven Come Eleven
- Free And Easy
- Tom’s Waltz
- Apple Jack
- The Waltz Of The Roses
- Pedal Patter
- Tracie’s Waltz
- Runnin’ Short
- Highland Fling
- Moonlight On The Desert
- March Of The McGregor
- Together Again
Tags: Buck Owens, Don Rich, The Buckaroos, Tom Brumley