Customer Reviews

Way I Am

5 star:		(10)
4 star:		(0)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(1)

 

 

This CD gets better with every listen. Merle's voice is like velvet and has never sounded better. The strongest cuts ("The Way I Am", "Life's Just Not The Way It Used To Be", "Wake Up") border on almost an "easy listening" (vs. honky-tonk) type of Country, but don't let that dissuade you. The lyrical content matched with Merle's powerful voice evoke strong emotions and the music is perfectly matched to them on every cut. There are no throw-aways. A great listen no matter what your mood - highly recommended!

As you listen to this CD, you won't find a less-than-perfect song on it. Haggard doesn't release bad CDs, so its hard to say that one is better than the others, but this comes awfully close. Listen to "The Way I Am " and feel your heart sigh with happiness. "Wake Up" is so melancholy, but so beautiful. "No One To Sing To But the Band" is a better road song than you're likely to hear anywhere else. "It Makes No Difference Now" is lovelorn, but not maudlin. And the last track, "Its Been So Long Darlin", is so good that I can't think of the right adjectives to say just how good it is. Merle Haggard has topped himself with this one.

This is the kind of album that rarely makes it past the Nashville noise machine these days. As a previous reviewer pointed out Merle was on top of his game having released a string of now-classic albums. This is a low-key collection of songs which may have flown under the radar if you're only familiar with his "hits" but there aren't many misses here.

Great CD!! The Way I Am is the best song on the CD. He does an amazing job on all the Ernest Tubbs songs!!!

Crisp and punchy selection on this oldie plus goodie. Merle is the MAN! Carrying the old band, as well as Bonnie on backup, this album shows the Merle that we fans are always looking for! Get it!

This is not the item I was expecting when I clicked on this listing!
[The only reason I rated it 1 Star was I could not post without giving it a "rating"...]

I own a Merle LP entitled "The Way I Am' issued on the MCA label in 1980.
It has the same cover art as the listing shown here, but NONE of these songs!

The LP tracks are:

Side One ~

1...The Way I Am
2...Sky-Bo
3...No One To Sing For (But The Band)
4...(Remember Me) I'm The One Who Loves You
5...Life's Just Not The Way It Used To Be

Side Two ~

1...Wake Up
2...Where Have You Been
3...Take Me Back And Try Me One More Time
4...I'll Always Be Glad To Take You Back
5...It Makes No Difference Now
6...It's Been So Long, Darling

There seems to be some confusion as to what songs are on this CD.The one I have is identical to the picture shown.It was published by Sterling in 2005.ISBN0-7694-0039-6 .However;the songs are different than on simalar CD's mentioned by other Reviewers.

These are all now older ,but well known and loved by a great legend of Country Music.Though Haggard has given us a ton of great music over the years,and there are many collections to choose from,and often the same song appears on different albums or CD's;the one thing you can count on ,is that whatever choice you make ,you'll get great songs.
There is no need to explain Merle Haggard and his music;so the best help I can offer is to list the songs on this CD.

Always Wanting You 3:06
If We Make It Through December 2:45
I'm A Lonesome Fugitive 3:13
I'm Always On A Mountain (When I Fall) 2:47
I Think I'll Just Stay Here And Drink 3:54
It's Been A Great Afternoon 2:47
Ramblin' Fever 3:37
Silver Wings 2:47
The Way I Am 2:58
And one of my favorite Haggard songs,
Today I Started Loving You Again 3:45

IAM ENJOY ING MY SECOND CHILD....HOOD THANKS FOR A 72 YR..I HOPE 73 IS ONPOSSITIVE OF HAG WHITESTOON OK

Merle Haggard's classic country sound comes through in a strong manner with, "If We Make It Through December", "I Think I'll Just Stay Here & Drink"! Kinda makes you want to go have a beer or 2! This album is full of the bar, love ballads from the "old days"! Thanks Merle Haggard!

The one song on this album that will keep people coming back to
him for more is "wake up". It has his trademark fiddle, sax and
almost blues type of sound throughout this song. It's truly one
of the greatest songs he has ever written.