I've Got a Tiger By the Tail
The great Buck Owens virtually dominated the country singles chart in the 1960s, carving his success by being the first truly "alternative" country artist, one who eschewed the dominant "Nashville Sound" of the time in favor of rock-hard honky-tonk. But Owens was also one of the first acts to have a consistently strong impact on the country album charts, rolling up (literally) dozens of long-play smashes (as many as three a year) throughout the decade. Although most of them revolved around his current hit single, his 1960s albums for Capitol are almost all outstanding and much more than mere filler. This 1965 gem remains close to the top of the list. The urgent title track, Owens's signature tune, was inspired by the Esso slogan ("Put a tiger in your tank") and sat atop the chart for five weeks, while the flip-side ballad, "Cryin' Time," was a top 10 hit forRay Charles. Also here are two bonus live cuts, aBob Willsinstrumental, the cowboy story "Streets of Laredo," and a churning version ofChuck Berry's "Memphis," which sheds light on the country tendencies of rock & roll's pioneer.--Marc Greilsamer