Single Review: Tanya Tucker with Jim Lauderdale - 'Love's Gonna Live Here'

When Tanya Tucker enlisted the aid of Pete Anderson to produce an album covering classic country songs, it was perhaps inevitable that at least one Buck Owens song would be included in the project. Anderson is, of course, famous for his work with Owens’ friend and protege Dwight Yoakam. He also produced Sara Evans’ 1997 debut album Three Chords and the Truth which also included an Owens cover.

“Love’s Gonna Live Here” is the advance single from the forthcoming album My Turn , and Tucker’s first release to country radio since 2003′s “Old Weakness (Coming On Strong)”. Tucker is joined by the criminally underrated Jim Lauderdale, who provides guest vocals, and at times sounds like he is channeling the spirit of old Buck himself. As always, Tucker is in good vocal form. This version deviates from the 1963 original slightly in that the steel guitar is featured prominently (as it should be) in the break between verses.

The Bakersfield sound is so closely associated with Buck Owens, it is impossible to hear one of his songs, even a cover version, without thinking of him. From the first note of the FenderTelecaster, the listener immediately knows that this is a Buck Owens song. As a result, Tucker doesn’t quite succeed in making it her own, but she is hardly alone in that respect. Where she does succeed is in providing a faithful and respectful version of a timeless classic.

“Love’s Gonna Live Here” is available as a digital download from all of the major digital retailers, including iTunes and Amazon MP3.

Songwriter: Buck Owens

Grade: B+

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