Intro:
Bud Buckley's new album, It's About Time, features ten tracks, with a host of emotion. Each song, written by Buckley, has a classic rock style. Singing lead vocals, Buckley's mellow rocker, Bob Dylan sound, makes him feel familiar. 

The Band:
The singer/songwriter collaborated with an amazing group of musicians who literally play well together. Helen Avakian, Terry Champlin, Scott Petito, Deni Bonet, Chris Carey, Beth Reineke, Laurel Pistey, Kathy Feeney and James Braha all played a role in bringing Buckley's notes and lyrics alive. 

The Review:
As classic and familiar as the songs feel, It's About Time offers many bombshells along the way. It features basic piano, organ, drums, classic, electric and acoustical guitars. Then offers the treat and surprise of a violin, an electric violin, a viola, a cello, electric and stand up bass. In the age of synthesized, soundboards and computerized hoo-ha, it's refreshing to hear an artist go back to the basics and reintroduce these great instruments to the listening public.

Buckley's lyrics in this album have special meaning to his family and friends. You can tell the man is loved just by hearing the lyrics his heart pours out about each of them. 

The album itself was dedicated to his wife, Cathy Lewis. Paying homage to her, his best friend, "Can't Leave My Mind" tells a story of the overwhelming presence she has whether they are together or apart. 

"I Still Remember" written for Bree, Buckley's daughter, gives you a feel of the raw emotion emitting as he reflects her younger years, and their time shared. I can see this becoming a popular wedding, father/daughter song.

"Keeping Secrets" was my first favorite of the album. It takes me back to pinky swears and playground days, whispering into a friends ear and giggling for hours. 

"Meltdown" shows off the tough rocker dude, who is hidden in this lovable family man. It tells a story of being metaphorically being left "bare-assed in the street" but not intending to take anymore crap from anyone. This is the song you'll blare when life hands you a curve ball.

"Tattoo" begins with a jazz lounge feel. It leaves you with a feeling of nostalgia. And if you don't catch yourself smiling at these lyrics, you aren't listening closely enough.

The meanings and feeling aside, this album is a must own. From track one through ten, I was entertained, I felt love and compassion, mixed up with rock and roll. Seriously, how can you go wrong with a combination like that?
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Lovely!  It's incredibly rare for me to like an entire cd from the very first hearing, but this one grabbed me and never let go.  The quality, the craftsmanship, the lyrics, the melodies, the singing - all masterful and full of soul. I bought a copy for my closest friends. What more can I say?
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I gave Bud Buckley’s first album 4/5 stars. 

I loved it (especially the Dylan-esque ‘Jacob’s Hurricane’), but figured I couldn’t give full marks for a first attempt. Leaves nowhere else to go…

But Bud (and his team of talented supporting musicians and co-writers) has earned the fifth star with his follow-up album. 

Highlights include the opening track, Let Me Go (a powerful and chilling track about time being up), Underground (a rocking statement song) and the sweet Can’t Leave My Mind, which is my third favorite song, but its lingering melody haunts me more than any of the others.

What makes this effort even more special is it features three of my favorite musicians, with Bud roping in singer-songwriters Helen Avakian and Deni Bonet on their specialist instruments. And their backing vocals are… wow.

Bud is an artist dedicated to improving his craft. He also has a bunch of other great worktape songs that didn’t make it onto this album, which makes me wonder whether I’m going to have to break the rules and crack out a sixth star for his next release…
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Bud Buckley really hits his stride with new release "It's About Time". The diverse group of songs has Bud's smooth signature tone underneath. My favorite tracks "Tatoo" and "Meltdown" showcase his poetic talents and rythmic expression. "It's About Time" is right on time, not missing a beat.
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