This album has been kicking around for a while now but somehow it, as with the whole of The Derailers' back catalogue for that matter, has missed getting a write up in the Whisperin' & Hollerin' archives.
This is the eighth full length release from this hard working Austin based band who formed in 1993. Of the original duo - Tony Villanueva and Brian Hofedt, who met and bonded in Portland, Oregon, only Hofedy remains (Tony Villanueva left the band in 2003).
Hofedy is backed here by Ed Adkins (electric/acoustic bass, vocals), Scott Matthews (percussion), Sweet Basil McJagger (keys) and Chris Schlotzhauer (pedal steel,dobro, vocals).
Buck Owens and his band the Buckaroos pioneered what came to be called the Bakersfield sound, a reference to Owens' adopted home of Bakersfield, California. He is probably best known to a non-country audience through the cover of his 1963 hit 'Act Naturally' by The Beatles - Ringo's party piece on the album and movie Help!
The Derailers are long time fans of Buck and fashioned their twangy harmonies closely on that of their hero. They met him in 1995 and were subsequently given the honour of playing at his 70th birthday bash in 1999. On the back cover of ‘Under the Influence’ is a photo of Buck watching approvingly as the band perform.
Only one of the thirteen cuts was not penned partly or wholly by Owens . Chuck Berry's 'Johnny B Goode' is the odd one out; an old chestnut that merits inclusion here by virtue of the fact that it was a staple of Buckeroos' shows.
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The deliberately brash retro cover art boasts of a 'Stereophonic High Fidelity Sound'; a tongue in cheek nod to a bold new sound since the band haven't made any attempt to add any contemporary touches of their own. Out of obvious respect for Owens, who died in 2006, their versions here are very faithful to the originals.
As you'd expect the songs are simple and as homely as Ma's apple pie - most of them are love songs although the selection closes poignantlywith the autobiographical 'Big in Vegas' about struggling to make a breakthrough in the music business.
Songs like 'I've got a tiger by the tail' ("I won't be much when you get through with me") or "Who's gonna mow your grass?' ("Who's gonna to keep you as warm as toast on those cold winter nights?") are so charmingly banal that they are beyond parody.
This is music from another age but this is an affectionate no frills tribute that will help preserve Buck's rightful place in the country hall of fame.
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