Working in Tennessee

Merle Haggard | Format: Audio CD

Product Details

• Audio CD (October 4, 2011)
• Number of Discs: 1
• Label: Vanguard Records
• ASIN: B005HGZVJ2
• In-Print Editions: Vinyl  |  MP3 Music
• Average Customer Review: 4.8 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (22 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #34,598 in Music (See Top 100 in Music)

Editorial Reviews

Haggard's second Vanguard album (his first was 2010's remarkable I Am What I Am ) introduces a set of stellar new originals, revisits some Johnny Cash classics and puts on a new spin on his own Working Man Blues featuring Willie Nelson and Merle's son Ben. That one joins Cocaine Blues; What I Hate; Laugh It Off; Jackson; Under the Bridge , and more from the enduring country icon, available on CD or vinyl LP!

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

26 of 27 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars Merle Haggard is still uncompromising on "Working In Tennessee" October 14, 2011

By Perverted Alchemist

Format:Audio CD

Merle Haggard is a country music icon who has a career that has spanned almost 50 years in the business. He has been a part of two movements in country music that were considered influential- Outlaw Country and the Bakersfield sound. He has racked up numerous hits over the years- a few of which have become his signature songs, like the classic "Okie From Muskogee" and the confrontational "The Fightin' Side Of Me". Over the last ten years, he has been on a comeback, producing albums that were critically acclaimed (2000's "If I Could Only Fly") and one that was well received but poorly promoted (2005's "Chicago Wind"). He released a bluegrass album in 2007 and made a return in 2010 on Vanguard Records with "I Am What I Am". One year later, he releases his newest effort "Working In Tennessee"- which, like the last recording, was produced by Haggard and Lou Bradley.

The album starts off with the title track "Working In Tennesee", a song about a ditch digger who dreamt of being a musician. He reflects on the quality time he spent with his wife on the romantic "Down On The Houseboat" while he sings about the nature of people on "What I Hate". On "Under The Bridge", he sings about a recently homeless railroad worker and urges people to not sweat the small stuff on the amusing "Laugh It Off". Merle also pays tribute to the blue collar men on "Truck Driver's Blues" and "Workin' Man Blues" which features an appearance from the legendary Willie Nelson and Merle's son Ben Haggard. Being that Merle is no stranger to critiquing the music industry, it's no surprise to hear him tear Nashville a new one- just as he has done on the song "Too Much Boogie Woogie". He also does a couple of cover songs on the album- both of which were made famous by Johnny Cash- the violent morality tale "Cocaine Blues" and "Jackson" in which Merle sings with his wife Theresa Haggard. For the most part, "Working In Tennessee" is a relaxed record in melody from Haggard, but proves that he still hasn't lost his sense of humor or his flair for being outspoken. Even at seventy-four years of age, he is still the man we all know and love.

11 of 11 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars Still Around And Still Relevant November 17, 2011

By The BarnKeeper

Format:Audio CD|Amazon Verified Purchase

All the country icons have left or are fading from the scene. The Man In Black and Waylon are gone. Ray Price and the Possum are up there in years and we won't see the likes of them ever again. Today's "country" music is in reality watered down Los Angles rock. But the Hag is still around and coming out, on the average, with one new CD a year. This CD figuratively reminds me of the title old Hank Thompson song "The Older The Violin, The Sweeter The Music". While the music isn't all that sweet and shouldn't be, the old Merle Haggard rebellious spirit is still very much alive. Just listen to "What I Hate" and the cover of the Cash/Carter classic "Jackson" or the very relevant "Under The Bridge". The man improves with age Yes there are sentimental sad songs like "Down On The Houseboat" and "Sometimes I Dream" so there is a "sweet" side to this CD but the most important aspect of the CD is that it demonstrates that real country music is alive and well even if today's "now" DJs won't play it. My favorite song on this compilation is "Too Much Boogie Woogie". On this one he laments about the sad state of today's country music and even criticizes the "Grand Ole Opry' ("and now there's people pickin' on the Opry and we don't know who they're with...too much boogie woogie and not enough Connie Smith"). Hank Williams III tried something similar a few years ago with "The Grand 'Ole Opry Ain't So Grand Anymore". Although on point, that song was cluttered with four letter words and could not be played on the air. "Too Much Boogie Woogie" is clean. Let's see if today's "country" DJs will play it. Don't hold your breath in anticipation. There is only one Merle Haggard! Enjoy his classic material but also consider adding this CD to your collection. It's what should be produced today but won't. Yes, political correctness has taken hold of country music but not the Hag. May he live forever!

9 of 9 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars Poet Of The Working Man: November 6, 2011

By Warren B. in C. B.

Format:Audio CD|Amazon Verified Purchase

"It ain't gonna get no better than this." For this price everybody should buy this CD even if you think you don't like country music. Everybody can
identify with at least one song on this CD if not all of them. A mix of Merle original songs plus a few standards and a plus, printed words to each song.

Merle writes em' and sings em'and the big plus is always the best back up musicians he can find. Merle himself is a fine picker, even written up in Guitar
Magazine years ago.

Everybody has their own music but "Working Man Blues" and "What I Hate" stand out on this CD and should be heard by everyone but will not get any airplay.