Disco de Merle Haggard: “Okie From Muskogee (Capitol)”

Here it is, the real deal -- Merle Haggard's classic live album from 1969, re-released in digital splendor. This is mighty Merle at his best, loose on-stage and in fine voice. This CD includes the best of his many versions of Okie from Muskogee, as well as a rollicking take on Mama Tried and Working Man Blues. The CD is true to its vinyl predecessor, including cuts originally intended to showcase Hag's band, as well as a cut by a since-forgotten Bakersfield vocalist, Gene Price.

It's too bad Capitol couldn't have been a little more creative with the re-release of this album, which has been out of circulation for a couple of decades. Generally, such repackagings include unreleased cuts, but nothing is added here. On the other hand, the bargain-basement price can't be beaten. There are also no new liner notes (although almost all the original packaging is here) and for some reason Ken Nelson's producer credit has been omitted (although the remaster producer's name is listed). These are minor quibbles that don't detract from the joy of having one of the finest and most influential albums in the history of country music available again.

I was fortunate enough to have caught Merle and The Strangers in 1970 at Madison Square Garden, just a few months after this brillant concert. Merle is on my short list of legends I was lucky enough to have seen in their prime. The others are Bob Marley and Van Morrison. My recollections of the MSG show are very similar to the Muskogge concert heard here. The Strangers and Merle sound like a fine tuned turbo-charged V8 and the song selection works absolutely perfect. Kudos to Capital for rereleasing this vintage performance. Kick back and enjoy. This is a NO-BRAINER!!!!

One of country music's most beloved performers is Merle Haggard. Merle is one of best from the classic years of country music that didn't have a famous relative to pave his way to stardom. Or be one of the pretty boys of today that have to rely on their looks not their voices.

This Cd is a snapshot of country's most popular performer at his best. The song Okie From Muskogee stayed at #1 for 4 impressive weeks and won single of the year. Other notable hits included Mama Tried, Silver Wings and a medley of his others timeless classics. An instrumental from his band The Strangers called Blue Rock. Billy Over Came His Size was written by Merle for this recording as he was heading to Muskogee. And as he quotes in the CD,"I had a little help writting this tune, with Jim Beam". Hobo Bill's Last Ride is a sad tale of a man that was down on his luck and depended on the rails as a means of travel. With no family or friends to surround him. Hobo Bill's dynasty came to a tragic end. Other notable titles include White Line Fever, Workin' Man Blues and If I Had Left it Up To You. Closing out the CD with The Okie From Muskogee. One of the most honest hard working artist of our time. Merle Haggard deserves a Lifetime Award.

I'm a pretty big Merle Haggard fan (I got into him by purchasing the 5 new compilations of 10 of his early albums), and before I bought this highly-rated compilation I wondered how such a popular, apparently great album could be so cheap ($3?!?!). Now, after owning it and listening to it, I have a theory--I think Capitol produced a boatload of a low-quality master, realized their mistake too late, and reduced the price to get rid of their stock. I could be wrong--the problems could be inherent in the original tapes, but either way, this release suffers from some serious sound quality issues. A subtle but maddening crackly, buzzy recurring distortion pervades a lot of the album, in the background and accompanying vocals and instruments alike. It's not constant, but it happens enough to drive me nuts, even on the first listen. To make sure it wasn't just my copy, I checked the electronic version on iTunes, and the same problem's there. Assuming that this electronic-sounding problem wasn't part of Merle and the Strangers' sound at the show, it's actually kind of embarrassing that Capitol would release a professional CD with such poor quality. Sorry Capitol, but a disclaimer trying to excuse "imperfections" by talking about "limitations of the recording techniques and equipment of the day" doesn't really cut it--countless albums, 60's and earlier, have been remastered at a much higher quality. If you're not the kind of person who this would bother, or love Merle so much that you think it's still worth owning (this guy included), then please buy it (it's a great concert), but if you think you might be annoyed by subtle but recurring sound quality issues, you may want to check out some other Merle first.

That said, the show recorded on this album is awesome. Merle plays a number of great hits, like the energetic opener "Mama Tried," and a medley of hit singles about drinking and law trouble. The arrangements are similar to the studio albums, but the live energy, Merle's banter and the crowd's energy set the live versions apart. It's one of the most intimate concerts I've heard on recording--you really feel like you're there in small-town Muskogee as the MC introduces Merle, the mayor hands him the key to the city, and the fans cheer when they recognize the songs. The fans sound pleased as punch to be immortalized by Merle's hit song, and they cheer like their lives depend on it.

Other standouts include covers of Jimmie Rodgers (with yodeling), a Buck Owens tune sung by one of the Strangers, a Strangers instrumental, and rare Merle tracks like "White Line Fever" and "Billy Overcame His Size." Listening to this again, I'm so impressed with how tight the Strangers are--the pedal steel and rhythm section cook with gas, and perfectly accompany Merle. By the end, I want to join in the Muskogee standing ovation and beg Merle for more music. If only Capitol had put out a higher quality remaster, this album would be perfect! Because of the flaws, I sadly wouldn't recommend this to a new Merle fan, and would encourage listeners (myself included) to listen past the defects to the great music beneath.

If your a true blue country lover, all i gotta say is man do i wish Country sounded like this STILL. I cant stand the crap on the Pop Country radio now. Some are good, but most is fluff for $. THIS is the real deal.

Its (Modern Country) so bad , a Pedal Steel playing friend of mine is playing with Jazz bands now (they dont want him in country, and he is GREAT).

No Pedal Steel in (Modern) Country - Blasphemy i say !!! Hats off to those few who stick to the roots. Just lucky to have this old stuff....GLAD IT WAS RE-RELEASED (was unobtainium til late !!).

Trivia: i beleive this is the LP you hear in the background in the Movie "PLATOON" when they are in their hut, playing cards.

also recommend:

-Flying Buritto Brothers

-Grateful Dead (Skull-Roses 1971 live)

-Graham Parsons solo (Grievous Angel and GP)

-Poco

-Tom Hall

-Dave Dudley

-Linda Rondstadt (Silk Pure-Hand Sown 1969-70)..yes its Country !

....any OLD Buck Owens, George Jones, Loretta Lynn, and of course Waylon and even Twitty !

*If any yall can recommend a Contemporary Country Group that does ROOTS style (pedal steel, crooning, etc)...leave a comment here (Joe Nichols comes to mind-a little).