Merle Haggard Album: “Branded Man [King Compilation]”

Hey guys and girls - chances are if you're reading this, you're looking for a Merle Haggard album to buy. If you're looking for a Greatest Hits, this might not be it, although it has major appeal to Hag fans. However, and I say this with much reservation (and owning nearly every Merle album produced in the 60's): this is THE quintessential Hag album. Not one single dud on here. This is a tight, polished, cohesive album - a vision of what good music should be.

It's a shame how we discard music/musicians because it's our "father's" or "grandfather's" music. Frankly, country fans are the most supportive of musician's past...but the bottom line, BOTTOM LINE, is that this album is what good music should be. There are a few of Merle's classic hits (2 of these songs went Top 10), but this is overall a classic album. There should be hundreds of reviews here - this should be in any proud country boy's collection (I wouldn't say this if I didn't think so - some of his albums have some so-so songs).

For $5.98, put it into rotation for a while - if you like classic country, without the gimmicks, fanfare, or hoo-rah, check this out. Merle Haggard can sing you a hell of a tune, and the backing musicians are tops - sincerely. And man, can he write a song...goodness.

I'm not one to state that MY opinion is the RIGHT opinion - hey, this isn't for everyone. But spin this album a couple of times if you want to hear the roots, and you'll thank me, I promise.

One of his best.

1. Branded Man 2. Right Or Wrong 3. Fulsom Prison Blues 4. Hobo Bill 5. I Can't Be Myself 6. A Soldiers Letter 7. San Antonio Rose 8. Silver Wings 9. Okie From Muskogee 10. Mama Tried 11. Orange Blossom Special 12. Take Me Back To Tulsa 13. Big City 14. Movin' On 15. Workin' Mans Blues 16. Corrina Corrina 17. The Fugitive 18. Ida Red 19. The Bottle Let Me Down 20. Love Is Gonna Live Here Again