Customer Reviews

Legendary Performances: Merle Haggard

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A "must have" for Merle fans, this dvd shows a tv performance sampler of some of his great hits throughout his songwriting career. I'ts great to see Merle up close with his band, hearing these great songs being done at the time they were hits. If they have some more fabulous clips for a second dvd, sign me up!

This dvd is a "must have" for any Merle Haggard fan or classic country music fan. This is Merle Haggard at his very best. This is a compilation of legendary performances by the "Hag", throughout the "prime" of his career. I am just not able to think of enough words to describe how good it is. These performances sound just like you heard them on the radio, way back then. Plus, as part of the bonus, you get to see Merle getting inducted into the Country Music Hall of Fame.

Performances:
1.Branded Man (Country Holiday Show 1968)
2.The Bottle Let Me Down (Country Holiday Show 1968)
3.Swinging Doors (Country Holiday Show 1968)
4.Mama Tried (Billy Walker's Country Carnival 1968)
5.I Started Loving You Again (Billy Walker's Country Carnival 1968)
6.I Take A Lot of Pride in What I Am (Billy Walker's Country Carnival 1968)
7.The Fightin' Side Of Me (The Porter Wagoner Show 1970)
8.Okie From Muskogee (The Porter Wagoner Show 1970)
9.Daddy Frank (The Guitar Man) (CMA Awards Show 1972
10.Workin' Man Blues (Pop Goes the Country 1974)
11.Movin' On (Pop Goes the Country 1975)
12.The Roots of My Raising (The Porter Wagoner Show 1977)
13.Ramblin' Fever (Pop Goes the Country 1977)
14.That's The Way Love Goes (CMA Awards 1983)
15.San Antonio Rose (Johnny Cash Chrismas Special 1983)

Bonus Material:
Merle Haggard Interview (1981)
Merle Haggard's Induction into the Country Music Hall of Fame in 1994 by EmmyLou Harris, who is now also an inductee.

Plus, included in the dvd package, you get a little history or story behind every song. This is a "keeper", and I highly recommend it!!!! Thanks!!!!!

Well lordy be, they've really dug deep into the vaults of country music history for this one, bringing together many of Merle Haggard's early TV performances including everything from obscure local Nashville shows (wait'll you get a load of Porter Wagoner's outfits!) to "Pop! Goes the Country" and the CMA awards.

Performances cover the period 1968-1983. It was really interesting for me not only to listen to the evolution of Merle's music (I actually seem to prefer his earliest stuff the best) but also to look at the changing styles in clothing and hair, and to watch Merle slowly growing older. I have to say that Merle was quite a handsome fellow in his younger days, and reminds me of a young Warren Beatty. And that fabulous voice -- it just tugs at my heart strings!

I have always dreamed of someday seeing him singing "Fightin' Side of Me" and "Okie From Muskokie" like this, right at the time when these classic songs were topping the charts as huge hits that were stirring up controversy across the nation. The first became a real redneck anthem of the day for the people supporting the Vietnam War effort. And I have heard rumour that when he penned the staunchly anti-drug song "Okie", Merle himself was in fact actually using drugs. In any case, it really brought back memories for me of all the social turmoil going on back in those days and kind of makes me wish I could hear how he feels about it all now, decades later today....

The DVD extras are good and include a lengthy interview with Merle and his then-wife and fellow performer right on his tour bus in 1981, as well as his Country Music Hall of Fame induction ceremony from 1994.

Shout Factory and the Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum have really done a fantastic job on this DVD and all of the footage is beautiful and looks as if it was just filmed today. If they have any more footage like this of Merle, I would love to see them do a Volume 2.

So far they have also made DVDs in this series for Tammy Wynette and Marty Robbins. Next I hope they'll continue with DVDs for Loretta Lynn, Dolly Parton (lots of Porter & Dolly please!), Charley Pride, Ray Price, Tom T. Hall, George Jones, and how 'bout a li'l bit o' ol' Doug Kershaw?

To all Merle Haggard fans (especially fans of his early work) I would DEFINITELY recommend this DVD!

The quality of the DVD is great, but, for some reason, there isn't too much excitement here, even though these were "live" shows. These are song clips from various shows dating from 1968 up to 1983 when he performed with the members of the Bob Willis band playing San Antonio Rose. Of course, I just got done watching Fats & Bill Haley which could explain some of the dullness of this DVD. There are 15 tracks & if you are a fan of Merle, I would suggest that you get this for your collection. The records (now c.d.'s) sound better, but, it is nice to see the artist in action. Shout! Factory did a very good job putting this together, nothing fancy, just plain music in a way that is easy to watch. +JMJ+

Merle at the top of his game. High quality videos. Bonus interview and information you may not hear anywhere else. A must have for a true Merle HaggRD FAN!!!!!!!!!

This DVD shows Merle in his younger years just getting on television shows and occasionally he seems almost embarrassed with the attention. My wife says he is almost a twin to the guy who finally got married (Annette Benning) and is really easy on the eyes. He has a unique presentation, and there is no doubt he's been there when he signs of hobo'ing and being on the lam. Great voice! Very enjoyable. Some may knock it a little for the quality of the DVD by thats 50 years ago,

Great Sound, This is a good Historical look at Haggards performaces. It made me even more of a fan and hungry for more DVD's of his performaces.