Amazon.com
A concert documentary with the on-a-budget production values and straight-shooter presentation of
Poet of the Common People better have a magnetic subject. Of course, no one ever accused cantankerous country maverick
Merle Haggard of lacking charisma. Here's one of the incontestable giants of the genre working his way through a slew of his classic tunes, including "Kern River," "Mama Tried," "Silver Wings," and "Workin' Man Blues." Interspersed between concert footage are interview segments in which a somewhat reluctant Hag emits bits of homespun philosophy and recites lyrics that prove that the title of this serviceable video is no idle boast.
--Steven Stolder