Disco de Merle Haggard: “Unforgettable”

Descripción (en inglés) :

Personnel: Merle Haggard (vocals); Abe Manuel (acoustic guitar, fiddle, accordion); Joe Manuel (acoustic guitar); Gary Church (trombone); Bobby Wood (piano); Eddie Curtis, Leland Sklar (bass instrument); Larrie Londin, Biff Adam (drums). <p>Recording information: Spicewood, Austin, TX; Bradley's Barn Nashville, TN. <p>Few things seem unlikelier than a laid-back, lounge-themed album of standards by the maverick king of Outlaw Country, Merle Haggard. But the Hag is known for flying in the face of conventions, even his own, and UNFORGETTABLE is--as a result--smooth, smoky, and infinitely more suitable to a candlelit dinner at a high-end restaurant than a beer in a dingy saloon. Accompanied primarily by the elegant tinkling of the ivories, with some subtle strings and combo work behind him, Haggard brings his textured voice and warm, casual phrasing to the classic American songbook. <p>"As Time Goes By," "Pennies from Heaven," and the title track are among the usual suspects here. The real delight, naturally, is Haggard's voice, which never sounds forced or out of context. He delivers his excellent version of "Stardust," for example, in a mellow, age-deepened croon that still bears traces of his usual tug and twang. Even the most countrified tune on the album, Haggard's own "What Love Can Do," fits seamlessly alongside its dignified cohorts. Though he may be wearing a dinner jacket, the Hag still sounds like no one else, and his unique approach stirs up life in these old chestnuts.

As usual, merle turns in a great performance, but this disc is copy protected, and plays with clicks on both my phillips 963 players, like a long scratch on an lp.The phillips was produced in the last 2 years. On my older jvc, and older toshiba, i hear a buzzing twang in parts of some songs.It does play allright on my 7 year old sony cd changer.I will have to copy it using analog jacks from my sony to my cd recorder.It seems as if the music industry is trying to drive away the last of us paying customers

How many albums have (or don't have) the title "Unforgettable"? Better for Hag to stake out his originality rather than associate himself too closely with Nat, Bing, or Sinatra. Listening to this recording with these other singers in mind is an invitation to disappointment. Most noticeable when mining this musical territory is an inconsistency in Merle's vocal timbre and diction. He hasn't learned which vowel sounds require alteration for the sound to resonate or, for that matter, how to switch dynamic levels without altering the basic texture of his voice.

On the other hand, comparing Merle to numerous "legit" singers who have attempted to go "pop" or, for that matter, to Willie Nelson or Rod Stewart produces a far more favorable assessment. In fact, the reading of "Stardust" on this album strikes me as more deeply felt, affecting and natural than Willie's version. This is an album that kind of grows on you--not quite 4 stars but, in anticipation of playing it some more, I'm giving it the benefit of the doubt. Moreover, he's revived at least a couple of good old songs--"I'll Get By" and "The Gipsy"--that even Sinatra never got around to doing.

Count on Merle Haggard to give us a beautiful Christmas present -this beautiful, lush album of pop standards. His voice, after all these years, still swoops and soars and floats through these songs. Each number is gorgeously arranged - Johnny Gimble, Redd Volkaert and other greats contributed here so you know the music is utter perfection. Merle's song "What Love Can Do," co-written with his wife Theresa, proves that his songwriting prowress remains fully intact - as if we needed proof of that after "Haggard Like Never Before." What a miracle that this man is still not only in such fine voice, but also still writing songs that can make you cry.

Buy copies for everyone you love.

This cd is like a good cigar. It has a great start, and a silk smooth body, but kind of a bland finish. It is worth owning just to here Merle sing the classicis, he has that drop off of the table base in his voice, much like Bing Crosby, a very good effort by Mr. Haggard.

I own just about every album/tape/cd Merle ever made. I am a die hard Merle fan...BUT....Merle, you are way too mellow on this one. This to me is a cross between smooth jazz and lounge music. Not COUNTRY!! I'm sorry!! Whenever you come to our state I go to see you but if this is the future, I'll need lots of coffee to stay awake while you do this segment of your performance. Sorry "HOSS", get back to basics.