Customer Reviews

Haggard Like Never Before

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

 

 

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 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.

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!

What could be better? Merle Haggard releasing a brand new (all NEW songs - what a concept!) album on his own label - awesome! The selections in this CD are each unique in their own special ways...just like Merle. This fan of 35 years is delighted to be able to continue to enjoy listening to this man of unequalled talent singing about the poetry that is his life. Some will say the voice has lost some of its glory, others might say this isn't the rowdy and rambunctious Merle of old...but what a treat the true fans are in for with this new collection of original songs. They touch the soul and nurture the spirit....and give us little glimpses into the Merle Haggard of today - still an amazing presence!

I've been waiting for this record to be released for quite some time now. Listeners to my radio show "Are You Ready for the Country?" have been waiting for this record for quite some time. I know I wasn't disappointed. We had Merle on the show for an interview and really featured this record all across the country to listeners. Mainstream country radio should feel ridiculous that they play the same songs over and over and over. Especially songs that aren't even "country". The songs aren't honest whatsoever and the listeners should call in to those radio stations and request the honest "new" music of Merle Haggard.

This record is so honest, but isn't that what we should expect from Merle Haggard? I've heard some folks claim that it's a good record but it's just not the same "ole Hag" from the past. Yes it is the same Hag.. he's gotten more "Haggard than ever before" but the man is still writing songs about what is going on in his life. He's no longer writing drinking songs because that isn't what's happening in his life any longer. The brilliant thing about Merle Haggard.. the thing that has always been brilliant about Merle Haggard is his honesty. This record may be the most honest one of them all.

The title track is just a real good country song. Merle pouring his heart out.. telling you the road is hard.. telling you he may not be on it for very much longer. It's got a great beat and there's a good solo by Merle in that classic Merle guitar tone.

"That's the News" is classic lyrically.. musically it's a bit weak. It's certainly grown on me though.

"Garbage Man" is a feel good tune. I told Merle it just makes you want to get up and dance. It's one from the old Milton Brown days.

The duet with Willie on "Philadelphia Lawyer (Reno Blues)" is just amazing. Both of these guys are singing great, musically it's classic Hag/Nelson stuff.

"The Downside" may be my favorite on the record. Honky Tonk country. This is the type of song Hag would've done in the 80's.

I could go on and on about every song but I'm not. Pick this record up. The honesty of the tune "I Hate to See It Go" is worth every penny.

The only downside to the record are songs like "Yellow Ribbons" & "Return to San Francisco". Good songs with good messages but musically they aren't that good. That's why I give this record four stars.

Wow, what a long review. Anyway, buy this album today.

Country radio would like to carve Merle Haggard's face up on Mount Rushmore and then play "Okie from Muskogie" once every six months or so on the "Country Gold" show. If all you listen to is country radio, you might think that Merle Haggard has died or fallen off the face of the earth. Well, like Waylon Jennings would say... "WRONG!"

This album, and "If I Could Only Fly" which came before it, are two of the best country albums I have heard in years. There is only one Merle Haggard, and he is still here, making some of the best music on the planet, whether Nashville is paying attention or not.

Fantastic if your a fan of Merles. A great add on to your collection. Absolutely loved this album and now consider it a favourite.

Some very good, strong Haggard esp. the title song, The Garbage Man, Ten Feet Tall and That's The News. Re the last one: what's the point? the banality of war? A curious song from the man identified with Fightin' Side of Me-style, pro-US songs.

I love this album and I want to clear up something the amazon review and a few reviewers seem to be confused about. "That's the News" isn't a protest song against the war, its a protest song about how the media and certain politicians (hint, some are running for the Democratic candidacy) are pretending to careabout the sacrifices of our troops for their own political gain or simply ignoring it to run 24 hour coverage of a kidnapping case because "people are tired of war news." Look at it as a more mellow "Fightin Side of Me."

I'm sorry. I love Merle Haggard's stuff more than just about anybody's, but "Haggard Like Never Before" just doen't fire my rocket. It's like there's a level of melancholy here that just won't let up and maybe hints that we've just about seen the last we're gonna see from this great man. I'm not saying this album is not worth listening to - it is Merle Haggard - I'm just saying this is nowhere near his best.