Search - Merle Haggard :: The Bluegrass Sessions

... and 1/2 .... Thrilling album that captures Merle's soulf

J. Ross | Roseburg, OR USA | 10/03/2007

(4 out of 5 stars)

"Playing Time - 43:45 -- Traditional country music stalwart Merle Haggard considers bluegrass people as "the salt of the earth ...kind of a no-baloney audience." Of the many albums he's made, none has ever been bluegrass. However, I do know that he performs a kick-up-your-heels rendition of the old-time and bluegrassy "Get Along Home Cindy," and maybe that would've been a good choice for this session too. Merle's also said that "If you're going to play something and you're going to hook it, you'd better hook it good. It either has to be real funny or it has to be real serious." After this assembled band attempted and failed to capture Merle magic in an old bluegrass standard, "I Wonder Where You Are Tonight," Marty Stuart, producer Ronnie Reno and recording engineer Lee Groitzch took a different approach to capture Hag's musical soul. They strategically gathered in a circle around a couple of mics and began recording in a more cozy, friendly style. Merle sang and strummed his Martin Blue Yodel guitar. The all-stars who wrapped their playing around his vocalizing were Marty Stuart (mandolin, guitar), Rob Ickes (Dobro, slide guitar), Charlie Cushman (banjo, guitar), Carl Jackson (guitar), Ben Isaacs (bass), Aubrey Haynie (fiddle), Scott Joss (fiddle) and J.D. Wilkes (harmonica).



After two days of working, a cherished record was born with classic country ala Jimmie Rodgers and Delmore Brothers, along with a heaping helping of Merle's own classics like Mama's Hungry Eyes, Big City, Holding Things Together, and Mama's Prayers. To also capture the influential septuagenarian's acoustic muse, five new songs written by Merle include Pray, America What Happened?, Learning to Live With Myself, Motorcycle Mama and Wouldn't That Be Something. Tenor harmonies are sung by Carl Jackson, and Alison Krauss must have stopped by to track in one high vocal harmony for "Mama's Hungry Eyes." Acoustic versions of Hag's classics are a treat to hear, even though there are times (e.g. Big City) when the instrumentalists seem to step on each other's toes a bit, perhaps due to the lack of rehearsal or unclear roles. Some songs have Merle directing traffic by calling out the musician's name or instrument whose break is forthcoming. While the time was limited, the album's thrills are plentiful. Marty Stuart's mandolin makes a particularly dazzling impression in "Jimmie Rodgers Blues Medley."



Of course, there isn't an abundance of driving banjo-centric material, but we are given acoustic expressive Haggard who is anything but wasted and worn. A ten-time winner of CMA's Top Male Vocalist Award (1965-82), he still shakes the foundation in a house of lyrics. He still draws inspiration from the likes of Lefty Frizzell, Hank Williams and Bob Wills. His life has given him a well of experiences from which to draw material. The new songs have some of that same ol' characteristic, archetypal, well-loved Haggard insight. He admits that a hard lesson in life is "Learning to Live with Myself." He's been very grateful that his "Mama's Prayers" continue to work. In classic Haggard style, some of his most profound advice might just come in his most straight-forward and simple offering at less than three minutes in length called "Pray." That song declares "Get your mind off yourself / think of somebody else / and pray, and pray."



Back in the old days, Muskogee was humorously labelled "a place where even squares can have a ball." Today some of his perspectives seem deeper and more profound as he sings that the "truth that stood for years is down the drain." In the song, "America What Happened?" his social commentary about change in America illustrates a nostalgic longing for a bygone era. "How did we ever go so wrong? / Did we get too high? / Did we sleep too long?" With the magnitude of his stellar songwriting and singing, Hag's got the potential to create a magnificent bluegrass masterpiece with simple, timeless messages. He already won the Recording Academy's Lifetime Achievement Award in 2006, and while "The Bluegrass Sessions" may not achieve landmark status, it certainly comes close and captures Merle's soulful acoustic sound. (Joe Ross, staff writer, Bluegrass Now)

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Great CD...not 'true' bluegrass but still a gem...

R. F. Cooney | Cranston, RI United States | 11/22/2007

(4 out of 5 stars)

"This 12 song CD by the 'Hag' has outstanding playing by some of the finest musicians in the world, including Marty Stuart, Carl Jackson and numerous others. Merle wrote/co-wrote 10 of the songs -- several are remakes, others are new. Merle's voice sounds as fine as ever, and the acoustic sound on those remakes is outstanding.



The closest sounding song to pure bluegrass, in my opinion, is 'Runaway Momma' while the others impress me as more country flavored. There is great dobro on 'Jimmy Rogers Blues.' Nevertheless, this is another great piece of work from a living legend. I love the song, 'What Happened' and the sentiment expressed, i.e., 'Where did America go?' -- maybe we all ought to listen to what Merle is asking/saying? 'Blues Stay Away From Me' is a great take on an old Delmore Brothers song.



Overall, Merle fans will want this one, others might want to start elsewhere with other CDs by Merle. I gave it 4 stars rather than 5 because I believe that the title is a bit misleading -- my opinion. Overall, however, a very solid effort that is surely worth a listen. Bottom line is that great singing/writing/playing is great no matter what the title is, so from that perspective this is indeed a 'special cd.'"

Acoustic Haggard

Smallchief | 11/07/2007

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Merle Haggard's songs are so tuneful and lilting that I find myself whistling along with him -- to the consternation of anybody near me. He's a poet of the downtrodden. His rough hewn themes deal with patriotism, prison, trains, mama, and getting drunk.



Many of the songs on the CDs are redos of Hag's classics written over a 30 or 40 year period. Despite the name, this CD isn't bluegrass, but rather acoustic country with an old-time flavor. Marty Stuart on mandolin and Rob Ickes on dobro contribute some excellent licks. There's a bluesy flavor to some tunes and "What Happened" hearkens back to his patriotic anthems of the 1960s. Haggard could sing the phone book and make it sound earthy and good.



Smallchief"