Country Pickin': The Don Rich Anthology

Amazon.com
If Buck Owens was a key builder of the sharp-edged Bakersfield honky-tonk sound, then Don Rich was his hammer. The tart Telecaster guitar licks and cutting tenor harmony vocals that distinguished Owens's sound came courtesy of his chief Buckaroo, not to mention some nifty fiddling to boot. This tangy and twangy 24-cut compilation gives Rich his proper due. With Owens churning out hit after hit in the 1960s, the Buckaroos themselves were given plenty of opportunities to produce their own albums, and these records are the sources of most of the material here. There are many examples on this CD of Rich's nimble fiddle work and even a few nice vocal turns, but it was his snappy guitar licks that really influenced the course of the music. Melding the fluidity and imagination of jazz with the aggressive attack of rock--and making the low strings ring out brightly--he set country guitar in new directions while helping to expand the genre's audience in the process. His work recalls a time when a sideman was a first lieutenant, not a hired gun. --Marc Greilsamer

Product Description:
Country Pickin' The Don Rich Anthology is the first-ever round-up of the signature guitar, fiddle and vocal genius of the late Don Rich. This edition corrals 24 fiery yet precise cornerstones of the Bakersfield sound, and adds a career overview, rare photos, heartfelt tributes from Buck Owens, Dwight Yoakam, Merle Haggard and many more country legends. Standard jewel case. 2000 release

Country Pickin': The Don Rich Anthology,Don Rich & the Buckaroos,Sundazed Music Inc.,Bakersfield Sound,Country,Country & Western,Honky Tonk,Pop,Rock/Pop

Average customer rating: A Musical Genius Awe-inspiring musician, superb anthology. Finally - Don Rich vocals, fiddle and guitar! Just bought this. WOW. A wonderful discovery from someone who loves '60's music

Country Pickin': The Don Rich Anthology Don Rich & the Buckaroos Manufacturer: Sundazed Music Inc. ProductGroup: Music Binding: Audio CD General | Country | Styles | Music Honky-Tonk | Country | Styles | Music General | Traditional Country | Country | Styles | Music General | Rock | Styles | Music Pop Rock | Pop | Styles | Music Similar Items: The Instrumental Hits of Buck Owens & His Buckaroos Corn Pickin' and Slick Slidin' The Carnegie Hall Concert Move! The Guitar Artistry of Hank Garland The Buck Owens Collection (1959-1990) ASIN: B0000560ES Release Date: 2000-12-19

Tracks:

1. Buckaroo
2. Orange Blossom Special
3. I'm Layin' It On The Line
4. The Happy-Go-Lucky-Guitar
5. Cajun Fiddle
6. Out Of My Mind
7. Round Hole Guitar
8. Tumwater Breakdown
9. Chicken Pickin'
10. Love's Gonna Come A Knockin'
11. Buckersfield Breakdown
12. I'll Be Swingin' Too
13. Sad Is The Lonely
14. Pretty Girl
15. Chaparral
16. I'm Coming Back Home To Stay
17. Spanish Moonlight
18. Saturday Night
19. I'm Goin' Back Home Where I Belong
20. Aw Heck
21. Georgia Peach
22. Tim-Buck-Too
23. Pickin'-Nickin'
24. Country Pickin'

Amazon.com

If Buck Owens was a key builder of the sharp-edged Bakersfield honky-tonk sound, then Don Rich was his hammer. The tart Telecaster guitar licks and cutting tenor harmony vocals that distinguished Owens's sound came courtesy of his chief Buckaroo, not to mention some nifty fiddling to boot. This tangy and twangy 24-cut compilation gives Rich his proper due. With Owens churning out hit after hit in the 1960s, the Buckaroos themselves were given plenty of opportunities to produce their own albums, and these records are the sources of most of the material here. There are many examples on this CD of Rich's nimble fiddle work and even a few nice vocal turns, but it was his snappy guitar licks that really influenced the course of the music. Melding the fluidity and imagination of jazz with the aggressive attack of rock--and making the low strings ring out brightly--he set country guitar in new directions while helping to expand the genre's audience in the process. His work recalls a time when a sideman was a first lieutenant, not a hired gun. --Marc Greilsamer

Album Description

Country Pickin' The Don Rich Anthology is the first-ever round-up of the signature guitar, fiddle and vocal genius of the late Don Rich. This edition corrals 24 fiery yet precise cornerstones of the Bakersfield sound, and adds a career overview, rare photos, heartfelt tributes from Buck Owens, Dwight Yoakam, Merle Haggard and many more country legends. Standard jewel case. 2000 release

Customer Reviews:

A Musical Genius.......2007-06-01

This was one of the first CDs I purchased when I discovered Amazon. Just now getting around to reviewing. Oh, I've heard it over and over, and just decided I'd check with Amazon to see if they'd put out any more CDs of Don's music.
Don Rich was the only reason I ever watched Hee Haw. (Well he and the Buckaroos and Buck of course.) His voice and Buck's (and the other Buckaroos) just meld together like father/son, brother/brother. I can't add to any of these comments from the other reviewers regarding his awesome picking and singing, but I can add this much to them: He always seemed to be such a happy person. Always smiling and in a good mood. I read somewhere that the reason Buck's career waned, was because he never got over losing Don. He grieved for him til the day he died, I believe. And so do I, in my own way. I miss his happy face. It's even sadder to me that he was on his way home for a family thing, (way up the west coast somewhere; his wife and children were already there. I think that's what I read. At least he wasn't just out joy-riding. It was his transportation. And in addition to all the other words, he was a beautiful man inside and out. If I have a vote, I say he should be in the Country Music Hall of Fame just like someone else said in one of these, but, I don't know how it's done. I signed an online petition to vote Dottie West into it, but it seems that just disappeared. If anyone knows of such a petition on Don's behalf, please share the knowledge.

Awe-inspiring musician, superb anthology........2006-12-11

This CD just blows me away. I already had a lot of respect for Don Rich before I got it, but now I'm firmly convinced that he is among the finest musicians this country has ever produced--any period, any genre.

First, there of course is Don's guitar work, which is utterly amazing. I don't think to this day anyone has actually done chicken pickin' better, and that alone makes him noteworthy. But he's much more than a one-trick pony on the guitar, as you'll soon find out when you get this CD.

Moreover, as others have already pointed out, his fiddle playing was just as good, and perhaps even better. There are quite a few cuts here that showcase Don's violin work, and even though that isn't what I got the CD to hear, I'm in awe of it. You will be too; trust me--he's that good!

This is already one of my favorite CDs. Sundazed did a great job putting this anthology together, and with 24 tracks--every one a quality tune spotlighting an amazing musician--it's easily a bargain at the full price.

Finally - Don Rich vocals, fiddle and guitar!.......2006-05-08

While I agree with reviewer Jimmy Purifoy that this anthology is missing a couple of songs, particularly Rich's arrangement of Greensleeves and The Night They Drove Ole Dixie Down, it's still a 5-Star-CD. I have all of the original Buckaroo Band recordings on vinyl, but it's nice to hear this collection on a CD. Come on Sundazed - let's see some more Don Rich and the Buckaroos!

As much as I appreciate and enjoy the guitar work, Rich's fiddle playing is astonishing, and his vocals are terrific. He just sounds like a happy guy - his death was such a loss on so many levels.

Just bought this. WOW........2006-04-29

I bought "Country Pickin'" because I love Don Rich on the Telecaster - and this anthology certainly delivers - but now his prowess on the fiddle is blowing me away. If you've never heard "Pretty Girl," you're in for a treat. I dare you to sit still to that one! Flat-out great album from beginning to end.

A wonderful discovery from someone who loves '60's music.......2006-04-15

The recent death of Buck Owens prompted me to investigate some of his early work. I was familiar with 'Act Naturally' and '...Tiger By The Tail' - but that was it. Having not grown up around country music, my only image of Buck was his 'Hee-Haw' persona which, although fun, didn't lead me to believe that he had a career prior to the television show. Clearly, I needed an education (!)

One of the marvelous things about Amazon is the opportunity to quickly hear music snippets and 'discover' music you've never heard before. As a result of hearing some of Buck's great work from the '60's, I learned about the guitar and fiddle artistry of Don Rich. This CD is enjoyable for those who appreciate the great 'twangy' electric guitar, so evident in pop music of the late-50's to middle-60's. Rich's musicianship is pure fun and, as one devotee writes in the liner notes, 'he made country music cool.' Indeed, both Buck Owens and Don Rich seem to be the bridge between country music and rock n' roll from this time period.

This is a wonderful set of music; 'Buckaroo' and 'Orange Blossom Special' are worth the price of admission. It's a shame Don Rich left this earth so soon.

Music Album:

1. Country Soul Brother
2. Couples in Trouble
3. Cowboy Sally's Twilight Laments For Lost Buckaroos
4. Cowboy Songs Four
5. Cup Of Loneliness: The Classic Mercury Years
6. Daddy of Western Swing [Box set]
7. Dancing Under Water
8. Dust on the Bible
9. Early Tracks
10. Essentials [Import]

Music Album