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Topic: Jones sings Haggard, Haggard sings Jones |
Eric McEuen
From:
Albuquerque, NM, USA
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Posted 16 Nov 2006 9:57 am |
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This CD was already mentioned in this thread, but I think it deserves its own.
I'm enjoying the new CD from Possum and Hag, Kickin' Out the Footlights...Again. I'm not an expert on country, but I've heard enough to know that singers don't come much better than these two. IMO, country CDs don't come much better than this, either.
The CD has 14 tracks. Each man sings five of the other's classic songs, and they join up for four duets. Beyond the charm of hearing Hag sing "She Thinks I Still Care" or Jones sing "Sing Me Back Home," it's fascinating to hear what each one brings to the table on songs the other made famous. And while their voices aren't what they once were, each one still sings like no one else.
To my ear, this is a more mature album than their previous collaboration, A Taste of Yesterday's Wine. By "mature" I mean less gimmicky, and also more reflective. Since it opens with a duet on Hag's "Footlights" (and the line "I'm 40 now" is long gone), a reflective tone is no surprise. But it's to their credit; they're both singing as honestly as ever, and I find it moving. And they have fun, too - especially on the last duet, "Don't Get Around Much Anymore," where they make fun of their pasts, their senior citizenship, and the sad fact that they aren't on country radio anymore.
The instrumental backing is stellar. The sound is organic, using real instruments and great players. Pig Robbins is on piano, and Brent Mason and J.T. Corenflos play some great six-string - including slight twists on classic Hag intros that made me laugh out loud.
Oh yeah - Paul Franklin plays some nice steel.  He plays a mindblowing 10-second intro to "Sick, Sober and Sorry," but his playing all over the album is terrific as usual. (Norm Hamlet plays on "Don't Get Around Much Anymore," the only track that uses the Strangers.)
Looks like I've gotten long-winded. In short, I love it. Thanks, George & Merle![This message was edited by Eric McEuen on 16 November 2006 at 09:58 AM.] [This message was edited by Eric McEuen on 16 November 2006 at 11:45 AM.] |
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Gary C. Dygert
From:
Frankfort, NY, USA
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Posted 16 Nov 2006 10:11 am
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| Sounds like a must-have for geezers like me. |
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Gabriel Stutz
From:
Chicago, USA
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Posted 16 Nov 2006 11:47 am
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I just heard quite a few of the tracks on XM last night, and it sounded great to me. They were also interviewing GJ about the record, and the state of country music, and he had some very interesting things to say, namely stop calling this stuff on mainstream "country" radio "country music". He also got on Alan Jackson's case a little bit for making an album that sounded too modern. I believe his exact words to Jackson were "Get off it, boy." It was good to hear one of the greats letting loose on the state of the music.Hopefully they'll rerun it. I believe it aired on Willie's Place.
Gabriel |
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Eddie Lange
From:
Nashville, TN
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Posted 17 Nov 2006 11:01 am
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| I think this is the best the Hag has sounded on record in 10 years. Things Have Gone to Pieces knocks me out, such a classic song. |
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Theresa Galbraith
From:
Goodlettsville,Tn. USA
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Posted 27 Nov 2006 4:52 am
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| I'll add it to my Christmas list! |
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Andy Greatrix
From:
Edmonton Alberta
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Posted 27 Nov 2006 1:39 pm
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| I just bought it, and not only is the singing very moving, but the musicianship is world class. Great rhythm section and slick lead playing on guitar and steel. [This message was edited by Andy Greatrix on 27 November 2006 at 01:40 PM.] |
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Lem Smith
From:
Long Beach, MS
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Posted 28 Nov 2006 12:15 am
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| I agree with you Eddie. This is, to me anyway, Merle's finest work in years, although the other things he has recorded have been great too. One of the best recordings to come along in quite a while! |
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Cody Campbell
From:
Nashville, Tennessee
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Posted 28 Nov 2006 9:00 pm
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| Quote: |
| the charm of hearing Hag sing "She Thinks I Still Care" |
It's great to hear a new vesion from Hag, but he recorded it back in the sixties too. I have it on the "portrait of Merle Haggard" record.
I found that record a couple years ago. It's not an actual album, just a compilation of singles, i guess. (It's got "workin' man blues", "mama's hungry eyes", "who do I know in dallas?", "silver wings", and others). |
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Eddie Lange
From:
Nashville, TN
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Posted 29 Nov 2006 12:04 pm
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| Cody, "Portrait" was a regular Capitol album, it just had that many hits on it! That's how hot Merle was at the time. |
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Tommy Minniear
From:
Logansport, Indiana
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Posted 29 Nov 2006 3:30 pm
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Eddie,
You are correct. I bought the album when it was first released. Pretty impressive line up of songs when you consider that at the time LP's were released "after" an artist had a hit single. This was the era of cover songs being used to fill out an LP. Hag didn't need them.
I immediately recalled the "Portrait" LP with She Thinks I Still Care, when I heard his new rendition on the "Kickin' Out The Footlights" LP.
I like both versions equally well.
Tommy Minniear |
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