Customer Reviews

The Bluegrass Sessions

5 star:		(15)
4 star:		(4)
3 star:		(7)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

Playing Time - 43:45 -- Traditional country music stalwart Merle Haggard considers bluegrass people as "the salt of the earth ...kind of a no-baloney audience." Of the many albums he's made, none has ever been bluegrass. However, I do know that he performs a kick-up-your-heels rendition of the old-time and bluegrassy "Get Along Home Cindy," and maybe that would've been a good choice for this session too. Merle's also said that "If you're going to play something and you're going to hook it, you'd better hook it good. It either has to be real funny or it has to be real serious." After this assembled band attempted and failed to capture Merle magic in an old bluegrass standard, "I Wonder Where You Are Tonight," Marty Stuart, producer Ronnie Reno and recording engineer Lee Groitzch took a different approach to capture Hag's musical soul. They strategically gathered in a circle around a couple of mics and began recording in a more cozy, friendly style. Merle sang and strummed his Martin Blue Yodel guitar. The all-stars who wrapped their playing around his vocalizing were Marty Stuart (mandolin, guitar), Rob Ickes (Dobro, slide guitar), Charlie Cushman (banjo, guitar), Carl Jackson (guitar), Ben Isaacs (bass), Aubrey Haynie (fiddle), Scott Joss (fiddle) and J.D. Wilkes (harmonica).

After two days of working, a cherished record was born with classic country ala Jimmie Rodgers and Delmore Brothers, along with a heaping helping of Merle's own classics like Mama's Hungry Eyes, Big City, Holding Things Together, and Mama's Prayers. To also capture the influential septuagenarian's acoustic muse, five new songs written by Merle include Pray, America What Happened?, Learning to Live With Myself, Motorcycle Mama and Wouldn't That Be Something. Tenor harmonies are sung by Carl Jackson, and Alison Krauss must have stopped by to track in one high vocal harmony for "Mama's Hungry Eyes." Acoustic versions of Hag's classics are a treat to hear, even though there are times (e.g. Big City) when the instrumentalists seem to step on each other's toes a bit, perhaps due to the lack of rehearsal or unclear roles. Some songs have Merle directing traffic by calling out the musician's name or instrument whose break is forthcoming. While the time was limited, the album's thrills are plentiful. Marty Stuart's mandolin makes a particularly dazzling impression in "Jimmie Rodgers Blues Medley."

Of course, there isn't an abundance of driving banjo-centric material, but we are given acoustic expressive Haggard who is anything but wasted and worn. A ten-time winner of CMA's Top Male Vocalist Award (1965-82), he still shakes the foundation in a house of lyrics. He still draws inspiration from the likes of Lefty Frizzell, Hank Williams and Bob Wills. His life has given him a well of experiences from which to draw material. The new songs have some of that same ol' characteristic, archetypal, well-loved Haggard insight. He admits that a hard lesson in life is "Learning to Live with Myself." He's been very grateful that his "Mama's Prayers" continue to work. In classic Haggard style, some of his most profound advice might just come in his most straight-forward and simple offering at less than three minutes in length called "Pray." That song declares "Get your mind off yourself / think of somebody else / and pray, and pray."

Back in the old days, Muskogee was humorously labelled "a place where even squares can have a ball." Today some of his perspectives seem deeper and more profound as he sings that the "truth that stood for years is down the drain." In the song, "America What Happened?" his social commentary about change in America illustrates a nostalgic longing for a bygone era. "How did we ever go so wrong? / Did we get too high? / Did we sleep too long?" With the magnitude of his stellar songwriting and singing, Hag's got the potential to create a magnificent bluegrass masterpiece with simple, timeless messages. He already won the Recording Academy's Lifetime Achievement Award in 2006, and while "The Bluegrass Sessions" may not achieve landmark status, it certainly comes close and captures Merle's soulful acoustic sound. (Joe Ross, staff writer, Bluegrass Now)

This 12 song CD by the 'Hag' has outstanding playing by some of the finest musicians in the world, including Marty Stuart, Carl Jackson and numerous others. Merle wrote/co-wrote 10 of the songs -- several are remakes, others are new. Merle's voice sounds as fine as ever, and the acoustic sound on those remakes is outstanding.

The closest sounding song to pure bluegrass, in my opinion, is 'Runaway Momma' while the others impress me as more country flavored. There is great dobro on 'Jimmy Rogers Blues.' Nevertheless, this is another great piece of work from a living legend. I love the song, 'What Happened' and the sentiment expressed, i.e., 'Where did America go?' -- maybe we all ought to listen to what Merle is asking/saying? 'Blues Stay Away From Me' is a great take on an old Delmore Brothers song.

Overall, Merle fans will want this one, others might want to start elsewhere with other CDs by Merle. I gave it 4 stars rather than 5 because I believe that the title is a bit misleading -- my opinion. Overall, however, a very solid effort that is surely worth a listen. Bottom line is that great singing/writing/playing is great no matter what the title is, so from that perspective this is indeed a 'special cd.'

Merle Haggard's songs are so tuneful and lilting that I find myself whistling along with him -- to the consternation of anybody near me. He's a poet of the downtrodden. His rough hewn themes deal with patriotism, prison, trains, mama, and getting drunk.

Many of the songs on the CDs are redos of Hag's classics written over a 30 or 40 year period. Despite the name, this CD isn't bluegrass, but rather acoustic country with an old-time flavor. Marty Stuart on mandolin and Rob Ickes on dobro contribute some excellent licks. There's a bluesy flavor to some tunes and "What Happened" hearkens back to his patriotic anthems of the 1960s. Haggard could sing the phone book and make it sound earthy and good.

Smallchief

This arrangement works. Haggard is one of the best songwriters in country music, and has one of the greatest singing voices of any genre. But his last several solo albums have not felt as inspired as this one. This album is different. The bluegrass arrangements are beautiful and perfectly complement his voice, which is gradually growing weaker as he grows older. The songwriting still bears the undeniable Haggard stamp, but the musical arrangements really breathe some fresh life into Merle's performance. It all sounds very honest; not contrived or calculated in the least. And the result is exciting, because I really didn't expect it to be as good as it is. But it is. A very difficult album not to enjoy and be moved by.

The only two things I don't like about this CD are the title (ultimately, this is really not bluegrass, as much as it is Hag with some terrific musicians doing an acoustic country CD), and the cover (a cartoon of Hag that looks like him circa 1984, driving a car!). Beyond that, this is an excellent disc, with Merle in great voice doing outstanding material. The only songs that will be familiar to the majority of fans are "big city" and "hungry eyes". There are actually only three new songs on the disc, and they are all excellent. "Pray", "what happened", and "learning to live with myself" (which I think is one of the best songs he has done in years). Although I have read quite a few reviews that list "holding things together", "runaway mama", "I wonder where I'll find you at tonight", "wouldn't that be something", and "mama's prayers" as new songs, they aren't. These songs were all on previous albums. Being a hardcore Hag fan, I would have preferred some more new material, although a few of the remakes rival (if not surpass) the originals - the exceptions being "big city" and "hungry eyes". Those two are all time classics, and although the new versions are good, the originals are perfect, IMO. The remake of "holding things together" is stunning (check out the video on the McCoury website). Merle also recorded "blues stay away from me" many years ago, but this version is even better. The singing and playing on this disc are fantastic. Hag continues to amaze me with his singing and writing at this stage of his career. He is still writing strong and relevant material, and coming up with fresh ideas (such as this disc). I hear that next up will be a rock and roll CD, and I bet it's a good one. Again, long live the Hag!

Merle Haggard is not generally known as a Bluegrass singer but he does a terrific job on this CD - along with a group of outstanding musicians. "Bluesy" and melodious the entire session fit together well and produced some classic cuts. My favorite is the final number "Blues stay away from me." You won't be disappointed. Dave

Although it's certainly not bluegrass, this is Merle-Music worth having. It is very personal, as are the liner notes by Marty Stuart that feel real good. Merle's "Mama's Hungry Eyes" is more touching than ever -- deep soul -- and Allison Kraus sings the most beautifully perfect harmony with him. That one song is worth listening to many times. The musicians on the album are as good as they get. Dan Erlewine, musician and guitar maker/repairman

In my mind Merle Haggard is one of the most paradoxical Country singers in the field. Merle is forever linked to the song "The Okie From Muskogee". Released at the hight of the hippie movement, "The Okie" portrayed what was then the silent majority, patriotic God fearing men and women of the mid west who wouldn't dare burn draft cards and bras, let alone the flag of the mighty US of A. Those who were taken aback by the cultural revolution of the sixties found recognition. The success of "Okie" already betrayed that times weren't chancing as fast as the hippie movement thought it would be. The song represented the part of America who didn't question Vietnam, who supported old fashioned family values and saw the merit of the Christian life. Merle attracted an audience, who as a political force, would be the ones that put Nixon and Reagan in office and would ultimately be the moving force behind the Bush dynasty.

But Merle was hardly the fine upstanding citizen that came to be so enamored by "Okie". When the single was released the Hag had by then spent more time in jail than out. Haggard had in fact grown so accustomed to jail that he had trouble feeling at ease when he was out. Ever since his father died when he was young Haggard had spend his life rebelling. At the age of 9 the Hag was sent to a correctional facility for the first time. It only seemed to strengthen his resolve or need to be at odds with society If it wasn't for his music the Hag would be back there today. Legend has it that Merle Haggard's life turned around when he saw Johnny Cash perform in San Quentin during his incarceration in the second half of the fifties. "I certainly enjoyed your show at San Quentin" Merle would later tell Cash."Merle, I don't remember you bein' in that show" Cash responded bewildered, probably wondering if his pill addiction got the best of him, "Johnny, I wasn't in that show, I was in the audience." Cash's music must have resonated with the outlaw, the Man in Black's songs about the hard life reflected much of Merle's own. Seeing Cash was the last push Merle needed to give up his outlaw life and give himself to music. Soon after the show Merle got a chance to escape, he declined.

Though Cash tipped Merle over but the seeds were sown earlier. In the early fifties Merle got the chance to perform with Honky Tonk legend Lefty Frizzle. When later developing his own style Lefty was arguably a bigger influence on Haggard than Cash. With his recent album "The Blue Grass Sessions". Not exactly Blue Grass in the strictest way this album does hark back to the great early Country superstars such as Lefty, Bill Monroe, Ernest Tubb and Hank Williams. The "Blue Grass Sessions" is a testimony that the creative renaissance of Merle's career isn't over yet. Ever since the turn of the century Merle has seemed very comfortable far away from the main stream of Country to which he once belonged. Merle has been shying away from the bright lights of the big cities like Nashville. His albums from "If Only I Could Fly " and on have had this constant feel like they were recorded on his back porch. Not exactly rough and raggedy, Merle does seem to strip his material from excess, going straight to the core of a song. This becomes most strikingly apparent when comparing the re-recording of "Big City" with the original version. The defiant Country ballad gains a more reflective mood that seems to fit the twilight of Merle's years here on earth like a charm.

Merle is one of those artists that is like a fine wine, just getting better with age. "Sessions" once again finds Haggard on an independent label after his short stint on EMI records where he incidentally recorded the negative of "Okie", the indictment of teh Bush administration and American culture "That's The News". But mostly Merle stays away from social commentary in the shadow of his life. "Sessions" once again finds him looking back on his life in full appreciation of the peace he seems to have found. Like only Country music seems to be able to do Haggard takes you through the full human experience. Haggard is feeling mischievous on the sexy "Runaway Momma," a song that seems to reflect that the years that landed him in jail weren't filled with regrets only. Even though he counts his blessings in "Pray" Merle does seem to have this melancholic streak when he looks back on his straying years. In "What Happened" it is astute social reflection again. "How did we ever go so wrong, did we get to high, did we sleep to long" Merle asks himself while reflecting on the unreliable politicians, lost American industries, looking at Americans struggle to get by, being able to pay their taxes but not their rent. But the most stand out tracks are not those who reflect on society but on the very human struggles that are so common to all of us. "Holding Things Together" is a spine tingling lament of a father needing to care for his children alone after his wife left him with the children. In three minutes Hag gets to the core of that experience in a few well chosen scenes. It is in those songs that Merle proves to be one of America's greatest song writers.

This is a great collection of Haggard like he's never sounded before. He's backed by a pure Americana acoustic sound. Doing some great past hits like "Big City" and some beautiful new material like "What Happened." That's not to mention his great covers of some bluegrass classics like "Blues Stay Away From Me." Haggard though once considered a conservative flag-waving type, is disappointed with the current state of affairs in the United States. He calls out our dependence on WalMart and the death of the family owned corner stores. He is nostalgic for what he sees as better years when times were simpler. It is interesting to see Haggards experimentation here. He is loose and sounds youthful and healthy.

Haggard is a populist and a man of the working class. He is one of the greatest poets in popular music and this is a great offering. It is highly recommended.

I heard an interview about this CD on the radio and they played one song "Learning to Live With Myself" which I really, really liked and granted, after buying the CD, a few songs were great, but there were also the normal 'ho-hum' songs that gives this CD (for me), the need to burn the songs off of it I liked, and give the CD to the library for them to loan out - Not a keeper.