Merle Haggard releases a wonderful new CD, that stands on its own as a standard for the Country & Western industry.
I
was raised on Country & Western music. And classical. But until I
was a teen, thats just about all I heard. If it wasnt Beethoven or
Bach, it was Johnny Cash or Charlie Pride or Merle Haggard. And I have
to admit, I got my first Elton John album and I pretty much never
looked back. I can listen to C&W. I can enjoy it - I like the rebel
spirit, the love of freedom, and the intense sorrow that country music
is so good at expressing. But I havent gone out of my way.
And
then Johnny Cash died. I suddenly realized that there was a reason this
man was one of my favorite singers - regardless of the genre - because
he had heart. He had soul. He could reach through the speakers and make
you feel his pain, his anger, and yes, his joy. So few people can do
that. So few people realize you dont just sing louder.
I was
trying to get an interview with Eddie Izzard. Naw, I dont expect most
of you to know, but hes a comedian and a charming actor. I was sent to
his California spokesperson, who said that he was working on a film and
not doing interviews. But she did send a list of the other people she
represents. I saw one name that I recognized - from when I was a kid. I
couldnt get an interview - hes in the studio right now - but his rep
was kind enough to send me a press packet and his latest CD, "Haggard
Like Never Before."
[BB]
Haggard Like Never Before Merle
Haggards voice is like fine grit sand paper. If theres nothing rough,
it just slides right over. But when the emotion is there, you feel it.
He reaches out and grabs your hand and says "look - look at whats going
on!" His voice hasnt lost anything through the years. It has range,
depth, and all the feeling you could want.
But even better are
the songs. He takes a firm poke at Bush in "Thats the News." And since
Mr. Bush doesnt care if I take a poke at him, Im all for everyone else
doing it. This album - and please remember, album means a collection,
not a round black disk - is ultimately listenable. The music is
beautifully performed, not over arranged as sometimes happens, and
flows over you like the feeling of a second beer.
Merle Haggard But
the best thing about this album is that it doesnt compete with itself.
When Mr. Haggard is singing, you hear him singing, and the backup
singers are just that, in the background. Theres no music trying to
drown him out or for him to shout over. The music is there, perfect in
its simplicity.
Mr. Haggard exposes himself willingly - as a
husband, a lover, a father, a friend, and as an American in these
troubled times. Every song is good - there are no songs on this
recording that you want to skip over - and just when hes gotten me all
weepy, he lifts me back up with the next cut. And if after listening to
this one you haven't gotten enough, Capitol Records has just released a
new album - forty of Merle Haggard's #1 hits.
I think the most
cohesive way to express how good this album is would come from June
Carter Cash and Johnny Cash, longtime friends of Mr. Haggard. They
might be gone, but the circle is still not broken - Merle Haggard is
holding it for them.
Photos courtesy of Dept 56.
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