Search - Merle Haggard :: Haggard Like Never Before

The amazing Merle!

John Gervickas | Cape Coral, Florida United States | 10/01/2003

(5 out of 5 stars)

"As a life-long Merle Haggard fan, there were times in the 90's where it really looked like "the good times were really over for good". He recorded a couple of good albums, but his voice seemed in decline (as did his desire). That all changed with "If I could only fly". I was amazed at the time how fresh and vital he sounded (a lot like when Johnny Cash put out his "American Recordings" after years of uninspired music). Hag followed that release with the fantastic "Roots, vol. 1" which was equally inspired. When the "Peer Sessions" CD was released, we discovered that Merle wasn't really idle in the late 90's, and that he had been recording some of his best covers ever. Now comes "Haggard like never before", which confirms to me that Merle Haggard may be the most personal song writer of all-time. He begins "I hate to see it go" with the line "My son is 10, my daughter 13". Who writes music as autobiographical as that? This CD has an incredible variety of styles (honkytonk on the title track and "the downside"/ western swing on "Garbage man" - who else could cut this? and "Lonesome day"/ personal statements on his life - title track, "I hate to see it go", "Because of your eyes"/ politics - "that's the news", "Lonesome day", and "Yellow ribbons"/ and a duet on a classic story song with Willie - "Philadelphia lawyer". Merle is in great voice, and sounds quite inspired. The songwriting is sharp and pointed ("politicians do all the talking, soldiers pay the dues" or "when the big boys at the microphone back up and walk away, and they're afraid to say the things they really ought to say"). "I dreamed you didn't love me anymore" has a classic country feel, and on "I'm Haggard like I've never been before" Merle sounds both tired and full of fire at the same time. The musicianship is terrific and loose (what a sharp contrast to most of what is coming out these days), and the overall feel is almost like a live album. I would rate the four albums I mentioned above with any four of his, in regards to how much I've listened to and enjoyed them. This is the best CD I've heard this year by far, and I hope Hag gets the recognition he deserves for it. It's on his own label, and wouldn't it be fantastic for him to win a Grammy for it? Merle Haggard is the greatest all-around artist ever, IMO, and this CD shows why. The man is 66 years old, and has released one of the best albums of his career. Thanks again, Hag!"

The American music legacy continues

Ronald D. Page | West Chester, OH United States | 10/01/2003

(5 out of 5 stars)

"The legacy continues. None of that overdriven bass in Merle's rhythm section. A lot of the great guitars, songwriting, tight arrangements with a blending of horns and fiddles, and the vocal style that made him famous. These musicians know how to lay it down. I just wish he'd cut his world-class steel guitarist, Norman Hamlet, loose on an intro or two. The album title is a double entendre. From the title song we know that the survivor of the now "35-year bus ride" is growing ever more road weary. Merle unabashedly goes political on few cuts, but nothing as in your face as some of his early political songs. Hag seems as politically engaged as ever, but a bit more meek and mellow. As a lifelong HagFan, it's nice to read Merle's writing in the liner notes. Nowadays he takes great pride in his wife and children and that's written in these songs. The band displays their cajun blues chops in "Garbage Man", which Merle describes simply as "a fun song"... and that it is. Oh, and finally we get to hear all the words to Reno Blues (Philadelphia Lawyer) with some help from Willie Nelson."

One of his best albums in years

Joe Sixpack -- Slipcue.com | ...in Middle America | 01/15/2004

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Dedicating the album to his dental surgeon, who made the album possible, Merle opens the disc up with the title track, which describes the hardships of life on the road when you're an old, old man, ready to retire at last. And this time, it seems like he might mean it -- there's definitely a weariness at play here that's as genuinely moving as it is sad. His political/libertarian streak is also live and kicking, as heard on the sombre but sublime featured track, "That's The News," in which Merle seems to take President Bush to task, even while supporting the troops (a sentiment reprised on "Yellow Ribbons," towards the album's end). He's still looking out for the Men In Black, on the outlaw-paranoia anthem, "Lonesome Day..." As ever, it's a little hard to pin Merle down on whole liberal/conservative political spectrum, but it's clear that current events are still on his mind: he's a little bummed out but still soldiering on. And more power to him: this is one of his strongest albums in years!"