Chicago Wind

Merle Haggard | Format: MP3 Download

Product Details

• Original Release Date: October 25, 2005
• Release Date: October 25, 2005
• Label: MERLE HAGGARD
• Copyright: (C) 2005 HAG Records, Inc. and Capitol Records Nashville. All rights reserved. Unauthorized reproduction is a violation of applicable laws. Manufactured by Capitol Records Nashville, 3322 West End Av
• Total Length: 38:14
• Genres:
• ASIN: B000TENGYE
• Average Customer Review: 4.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (28 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #154,330 Paid in MP3 Albums (See Top 100 Paid in MP3 Albums)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

9 of 9 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Merle, updated for 2005..., November 7, 2005

By 

John Gervickas (Cape Coral, Florida United States) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Chicago Wind (Audio CD)

This is Merle's first CD to be produced by someone other than himself since "1994". As with that CD, this one is much slicker and mainstream sounding than Hag's self-produced efforts. It's interesting to note that with Jimmy Bowen's previous collaborations with Merle, one ("Serving 190 Proof") wasn't slick at all, and may have been Merle's best album. The second, ("Back to the Barrooms"), was a bit "Nashville" slick - but didn't seem like it with all of the drinking songs. The result of this CD is uneven, but it certainly has more commercial potential than anything Merle has done since he left the Epic label in 1989. Here's a track by track review:

1. Chicago wind - My favorite cut on the disc. Jazzy guitars, good song - excellent vocal. Merle seems to always find something new and unique to try.

2. Where's all the freedom - I actually like this more than "America first". I agree with the sentiment, and it's a catchy tune.

3. White man singing the blues - Merle stretches this out more than the original version, and the guitar work is excellent. I still prefer the original version, however (1973 - "presents his 30th album").

4. Leavin's not the only way to go - Considering that it was written for a broadway show (Roger Miller's "Big river"), it's no suprise that it's a bit of a big production number. It's a really good song, however (although it's hard to figure how this song would apply to Huckleberry Finn!). Another good vocal by Hag.

5. What I've been meaning to say - Pretty good love song, but diminished by Jimmy Buffett-styled instrumentation.

6. Mexico - Lightweight (a rare comment for a Merle Haggard song), but you CAN tap your toe to it!

7. Honky tonk man - This was written for the Clint Eastwood movie, and sung by Clint in the film. Also recorded for the sountrack by Marty Robbins. I don't particularly care for the song, but Merle sings it nice.

8. (Rebuild) America first - The first single and video from the CD. The timing of this song is perfect, and if this one doesn't get played on the radio, it will be an awful shame. With airplay, this could be a big hit for Merle, considering that the majority of Americans probably agree with the message (in regards to the war and the hurricanes).

9. It always will be - A nice love song, this was recently the title song of a Willie Nelson CD (written by Willie). Merle's been doing this one live for a while, so he obviously likes it a lot.

10. I still can't say goodbye - Nice song, surely close to Merle's heart (about difficulty in dealing with the death of a father). This was done by Chet Atkins in the late 80's. The production is very Nashville, but still a good cut.

11. Some of us fly - (w/ Toby Keith) As with their duet on Toby's latest CD, the big guy shows that he can sing given the right material. Excellent philosophical lyric, terrific fiddle playing by Scott Joss. My second favorite cut on the disc.

Overall, this is a good (and different) CD for Merle. Clearly it was Merle's intent to make a contemporary sounding disc on his first new CD with Capitol ("Unforgettable" was recorded long before Merle re-signed with the label). Even though I prefer Merle recording with his own band, and the production on "If I could only fly", "Roots", and "Haggard like never before" was more to my taste - "Chicago wind" is a refreshing change. I think Merle (and Capitol) have made a full-out effort to appeal to a wider audience, and artistically he has succeeded. If this one doesn't catch on, I think there is no hope for mainstream country music!
Mon Nov 07, 2005 10:49 pm

6 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Hag's 2nd new CD on Capitol, October 25, 2005

By 

CincyKid - See all my reviews

This review is from: Chicago Wind (Audio CD)

This is a follow up CD to Hag's Unforgettable CD.In this album Hag goes back to his patriotic ferver on two songs that are my favorites on the CD.America First is kinda like Amber Waves of Grain in the let's help America before we help everybody else.Where's All the Freedom? is kinda asking what is the War in Iraq gaining us if we can't post the 10 Commandments etc.The only thing I didn't like about the disc is it's one of those new Copyright protection CD's and has a disclaimer on the back that IF this CD messes up your equipment were not responsible statement.It played fine on my car CD player so I guess it's OK.

13 of 16 people found the following review helpful:

1.0 out of 5 stars disgusted with the copy protected format, March 31, 2006

By 

joe smith (Jackson, Miss) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Chicago Wind (Audio CD)

Do not but this cd or any EMI copy protected cd's if you want to put them on an Ipod Nano. I am pretty sure it is not possible. I would never have bought it if I had known. I am a more educated consumer now, at least. I hate it for Merle. I have listened to a few songs and they are solid good Merle Haggard. It is a shame here he is with a major label again with a great new recording on a worthless format. It may be compatible with non apple portable players.