Bakersfield has received positive reviews from music critics.
Metacritic assigns an average score out of 100 from reviews and ratings from mainstream critics. The album received a metascore of 80, based on 5 reviews. Billy Dukes at
Taste of Country rated the album 4 out of 5 stars. He states, "Gill and Franklin work like a polished vocal duo, only the pedal steel is Franklin’s voice," and goes on to say, "the album’s production is notable for being crystal clear. Each instrument stands out without stepping out." He finishes by saying, "You’ll struggle to find two more professional, humble musicians in Nashville, and those qualities — along with a top notch band and great songs — make for a very satisfying listen." Daryl Addison from
Great American Country also positively reviewed the album. Addison states, "the pair exhibits a palpable chemistry that breathes new life into each one of the album’s songs" and "surround themselves with top-notch players" He finishes by saying, "This artistic give and take, set inside classic and well-known songs, makes the album feel alive and new." ==Track listing==