If it weren’t for this wonderful collection of songs from Vince Gill and Paul Franklin, people might be left to think that country music is supposed to sound like Taylor Swift. Bakersfield is a marvellous record that pays tribute to the pioneers of the Bakersfield country music sound, Buck Owens and Merle Haggard. A country powerhouse in his own right, Gill has little trouble finding his way through highlights including The Bottle Let Me Down, Foolin’ Around, He Don’t Deserve You Anymore and Holding Things Together. A thoroughly enjoyable listen from start to finish, Bakersfield will be one of the best country albums of 2013.