This album is pretty much what I think of when I think of honky-tonk or outlaw country. You could easily picture the song "What I Hate" playing in the background when you walk into some dingy biker bar. It's a bit slow and reflective and that works well for Merle Haggard at his current age. If you don't know Merle Haggard this isn't a good place to start, but if you like him you'll enjoy this album. He's a solid lyricist and a good singer.
A great cover of Jackson on here with his wife Theresa.
Following the Rhapsody rating method I give it 2 out of 5 stars for Not Bad.
I have always liked some of Haggard but not all of his songs. That song you played was okay and a rather simple one. The sound is called Texas swing. Many say the father of that sound is Bob Wells. I don't consider is real country.
ReplyDeleteSally Anne