*** Buck Owens and His Buckaroos

CHRISTMAS WITH BUCK OWENS AND HIS BUCKAROOS

(Sundazed)

In the '60s, Nashville outsider Buck Owens became a country star as an architect of the Bakersfield sound, which combined classic honky-tonk with a breath of California pop. But though every country star has at least one Christmas album, Christmas with Buck Owens and His Buckaroos is special. No heap of trad-holiday rehash, the re-released 1965 disc features 11 originals penned by Buck and friends, including the late Don Rich, Owens's long-time guitarist and musical compadre, and trucker-anthem luminary Red Simpson. A mix of Yuletide weepers, country hokum, and sprightly honky-tonk (plus a Ventures-like cover of "Jingle Bells"), these songs feel just as familiar but way more fun than the Xmas chestnuts that are spun to death each year.

The retro sound of the original mix -- sparse and reverby, with the drums up front -- has been retained. Drummer Willie Cantu's sticks dance on his hi-hat like reindeer on the roof, and Don Rich's distinct, clipped-noted Telecaster-twang rings clear in all that sonic space. And if this leaves you hungry for more Buck, Sundazed has also reissued 1967's Christmas Shopping -- a dozen more Owens originals sporting tears-in-your-beer holiday cheer.

-- Meredith Ochs