"Live" In Scandinavia (with the Buckaroos, Buddy Alan & The Hagers)

Recorded live in Oslo, Norway, in April 1970, and totally unreleased in the U.S., “Live” In Scandinavia was finally reintroduced to the world in 2007. Unlike other Owens live albums, this features the singer’s entire touring revue, dubbed “the Capitol Caravan.” While the opening acts can’t compete with Buck’s soul or stage presence, they provide a version of Bakersfield country that is swift and sharp as a razor. The Hagers, a duo most famous for their appearances on Hee Haw, turn in rip-roaring takes on “Six Days On the Road” and “I’m Jesse James,” while Buck’s son Buddy Alan reveals a tender, wistful voice on “Big Mama’s Medicine Show.” Owens himself turns in a typically superlative set of songs before bringing on the ensemble for wonderfully unruly versions of “Tall Dark Stranger” and “Johnny B. Goode.” Still, the night’s best performance belongs to Buckaroos guitarist Don Rich, who brings out the country flavor in two Band songs, “Up On Cripple Creek” and “The Night They Drove Old Dixie Down.” The album is not monumental, but it just might be the liveliest of all Buck’s concert albums, and it is undoubtedly one of the era’s most exciting live country documents.