Was good value - very pleased
It was so convenient being able to purchase it on-line, and it was delivered in a very timely manner. We were very pleased with the availability of an item that my husband had been looking for for quite some time.
We are very happy with the transaction.
Review of the CD I bought
No problems at all. I received the exact product I wanted in a reasonable length.
The Best County Singer ever salutes the Father of Country Music
When I got back Stateside I bought the two record set, which I have to this day. I was living in England when this album was issued and purchased the single LP condensation of the US two record set. Although sometimes I get a little impatient with Hag's narrations, I always play the entire side through. I was delighted to find it on CD but when I'm home I still listen to the LP, reserving the CD for use in the car. This set has a very authentic feel with Hag's Strangers doing a good job of replicating the sound of the JR originals. While I think that Hag's singing improved subsequent to this album, his vocals here are clearly a labor of love,complete with yodels.
A very important set of recordings .
Keeping The Tradition Alive
Merle produced two superlative tribute albums in the 1970's. As tribute albums go it dosn't get any better than this. "Same Train, A Different Time": The Songs Of Jimmie Rodgers and "My Tribute To The Best Damn Fiddle Player In The World": Bob Wills. With each of these, Merle demonstrates a deep rooted affection for not only the music, but for the men who defined the "Blue Yodel Sound" and "Western Swing". Without comming off as heavy handed or pompus Merle takes the listener on a musical journey through the past, into a time and place where hobos rode the rails, always on the watch for the railroad cops, always searching for that next town beyond the bend. A place where they might find a few days work peach pickin' or maybe choppin' wood. And with the Bob Wills album, Merle brings us back to the western Grange Halls where swing bands played a unique blend of country, swing and polkas all night long and fellas snuck out back to steal a kiss from their best gal. Merle knows the music better than anyone alive. He's played it and he's lived it and we can only hope he'll be around for many more years, keeping the sounds and the traditions alive of great musicians like, the "Singing Breakman", Jimmie Rodgers and the "King Of Western Swing", Bob Wills. Long live the sweet sounds of Bakersfield and long may you live old friend, Merle Haggard.
Brilliant musicianship
Firstly, the songs are the compositions of someone who needs no introduction, the legendary Jimmie Rodgers. Anyone who likes country-blues (especially the all-acoustic variety) will love this CD. Most of them are based on a 12-bar blues pattern, with the lyrics repeating the first verse twice over the first chord-change - a traditional form that was very dear to Rodgers. The words are a good reflection of depression-era themes, such as railroad hoboing (Hobo Bill), scrounging up a modest living (No hard time blues) and, of course, loving and leaving in their many facets (California blues, Jimmie's last Blue Yodel).
Haggard's vocal rendition is somewhat different then Rodgers,' but the result is equally engaging. While Rodgers' voice is haunting and languid, Haggard's is more round and palpable. Also, Haggard's yodeling is much less frequent, but when employed is extremely effective, equally "plodding" and never over-used. In a sense, it is by being completely himself that Haggard nails the spirit of Rodgers' songs.
The arrangements are one of the many strong suits of this CD. For the most part, pieces feature acoustic instruments - drums, bass, guitars, dobros (one played with the slide, the other a dobro-guitar), and blues-harp. A couple pieces have horns, played in a quasi-Dixieland style reminiscent of those in Rodgers' own recordings - while a violin, an electric guitar and a steel guitar surface in a minority of the tracks. Most pieces are moderate "2/4" two-steps, with the occasional waltz.
The accompaniment is provided by Haggard's own band (the Strangers) and the studio artists sometimes heard in his earlier recordings. Among the latter is none other than James Burton, one of the fathers of Country Guitar styles and, of course, the guitarist who toured with Elvis from 1969 to 1977. While most listeners are accustomed to hearing Burton's Telecaster, it is amazing to hear him pick away at a round-neck dobro with equal flair and musicianship (his fiery solo in "No hard time blues" is an oft-copied masterpiece).
Song-choice is varied and representative of Rodgers' output. Also, the recording is interspersed with a few (very brief) tracks of Haggard's narration of Rodgers' life and deeds - which can be easily skipped over once they are familiar to the listener.
Overall, I recommend this CD very enthusiastically to all who enjoy this style of music - a CD that has only strengths and no weaknesses. .
You can see a complete list of all Merle Haggard & the Strangers discography, or go back to the Merle Haggard & the Strangers tabs
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