This one is titled "Ol' Country Singer" and apparently it's brand new. I stumbled on to it at Wal-Mart over the weekend but can't find it (for certain) to post a review on Amazon. There is the original Live at BB... as well as one listed there with no image and no track listing.
Here's my review...
“Ol’ Country Singer” is quite an understatement. Haggard’s arrangements are modern and yet at times transport the listener back to the Texas dance halls of the 40’s and 50’s. Clearly, for Merle Haggard it’s more about the band and the music than simply his wonderful singing. Janie Fricke is credited with “Guest Vocals” and she really does an excellent job on several cuts, most notably “Kern River”. The fiddle and steel guitar are given plenty of room to play and it’s particularly noticeable as they play it out on Folsom Prison Blues. Sound quality is excellent as in Merle’s earlier (1999) Live at Billy Bob’s album. Credit producer Rick Smith for efforts on both CD’s.
As has become typical of Merle Haggard albums, there are tributes to his mentors – in this case, Johnny Cash, Jimmy Rodgers and Bob Wills. Lefty Frizzel is honored in a slightly different way with the lead guitarist Norm Stephens in the band. Merle is among the very best at connecting music of the past with the modern (real) country sounds of today. Were it not for him, many of us fans might never have known the music of Jimmy Rodgers or Bob Wills. Their respective tributes– “Texas Women” and “Get Along Home Cindy” are my favorites on the album. There’s simply no way you can listen to those songs and not want to tap a foot and sing along.
Long time Haggard fans will appreciate the relevance—35 years later – of “The Fightin’ Side of Me”. It’s evident from a couple of entertaining lyrical adjustments to “Footlights” that Merle still holds that song out as being the most about him.
While I could never name my favorite Merle Haggard song, my favorite album is the first Live At Billy Bob’s Texas – Motorcycle Cowboy. This one has to rate right up there with that one. You can’t beat a live Merle Haggard album.
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HagFan
[This message was edited by Ron Page on 23 August 2004 at 08:14 AM.]
