Description
Vince Gill & Paul Franklin – Bakersfield – Vinyl Record
Vince Gill & Paul Franklin’s Bakersfield, released on July 30, 2013, is a loving tribute to the pioneering spirit of the Bakersfield sound—a gritty, twangy, and rebellious strain of country music that emerged from California in the 1950s and ’60s as a reaction against the slick orchestration of Nashville’s countrypolitan style. Centered around the music of Buck Owens and Merle Haggard, two of Bakersfield’s most iconic sons, this album pays homage through a collection of carefully selected covers that are both faithful and freshly invigorated, delivered by two of country music’s most respected modern virtuosos.
Vince Gill, a Grammy-winning vocalist and guitar player known for his smooth tenor voice and deep reverence for traditional country, teams up here with Paul Franklin, a legendary pedal steel guitarist whose playing has graced countless Nashville sessions. Together, they create an album that is as much about musical mastery as it is about cultural reverence. Rather than reinterpret the Bakersfield sound with modern gloss, Gill and Franklin dig deep into the raw, energetic essence of these songs, focusing on tone, feel, and soul.
The tracklist includes five songs each from Buck Owens and Merle Haggard, among them “The Bottle Let Me Down,” “Together Again,” “Foolin’ Around,” “Branded Man,” and “I Can’t Be Myself.” These aren’t just hits; they’re foundational texts in the Bakersfield canon. Gill’s vocals strike a perfect balance between humility and expressive power, avoiding imitation in favor of heartfelt interpretation. His guitar work, full of Telecaster snap and clean melodic phrasing, mirrors the style of Buck Owens’ bandleader Don Rich while retaining Gill’s signature warmth.
Paul Franklin’s pedal steel work is a revelation throughout the record—never overplayed, always expressive, and deeply lyrical. His phrasing and dynamics breathe new life into classic arrangements, making each solo feel like a respectful conversation with the past. Whether gently weeping on Haggard ballads or joyfully punctuating Owens’ honky-tonk romps, Franklin’s steel guitar becomes the album’s emotional backbone.
One of the most striking aspects of Bakersfield is its commitment to authenticity. The production is warm and uncluttered, placing the emphasis squarely on the interplay between musicianship and songcraft. There’s no reliance on modern studio tricks or pop-country embellishments. Instead, the record revels in the organic dynamics of a small combo playing live in the studio—a format that allows the music to breathe and swing in all the right ways.
Critics and fans alike praised Bakersfield for its musical integrity and deep respect for country history. While it wasn’t a commercial blockbuster in the mold of mainstream country releases, it was critically acclaimed and beloved by traditionalists, seen as a vital reminder of where the genre came from. The album also served as a quiet act of cultural preservation, reintroducing a new generation of listeners to the rootsy, hard-edged brilliance of the Bakersfield legacy.
In essence, Bakersfield is more than a covers album—it’s a loving conversation between the past and present, a collaboration between two master craftsmen who understand that country music’s soul lives not just in lyrics or production, but in tone, restraint, and emotional clarity. It stands as one of the most reverent and musically accomplished tributes to classic country ever recorded.
Brand new, never played and still sealed in the factory plastic
Track Listing
Foolin’ Around
Branded Man
Together Again
The Bottle Let Me Down
He Don’t Deserve You Anymore
I Can’t Be Myself
Nobody’s Fool But Yours
Holding Things Together
But I Do
The Fightin’ Side Of Me
