Merle Haggrd - "Haggard Like Never Before"
Merle Haggard “Like Never Before”Hag Records – 4 Stars
Release date – 9/29/03
Brian J. Kenny
This originally ran in the Redding Record Searchlight in October of 2003
I was in Los Angeles earlier this summer when Merle Haggard’s new single “That’s the news” was released. I caught the last five seconds of it on the radio as I was trying to find my way through Compton. It is hard to really “get” a song from its last five seconds but I could tell from the announcer’s reaction that Merle Haggard had struck a powerful chord.
The song was described as a hard, protest song and Merle was described in such a manner as to imply that he is anti-government, and indeed almost anti-American. Callers responded in various levels of coherence and questions were poised as to whether or not he ever really represented Country Music.
The truth hurts and, as always, Merle Haggard is writing and singing about the truth as he sees it. Taken as a single, “That’s the news,” is the rare, delicate, mid-tempo, protest song that holds up under heavy listening. Taken as a concept, “That’s the News” is an affront to all of the propaganda that is being foisted on Merle Haggard as he tries to digest the true meaning of the often slanted headline news as one might see it on one of the myriad of cable 24 hour news channels. That people would react to this kind of honesty should come as no surprise and the publicity should compel brave souls nationwide to purchase Haggard’s latest album, “Like Never Before” (Hag Records, 9/29/03).
“Like Never Before” is a truly honest artistic expression that is propelled by the performance of Haggard’s legendary band, the Strangers, whose live grace is captured nicely by warmth of the recording. The current Strangers are a good a band as Haggard has ever had. The fit his voice like a glove, often sounding like one instrument supporting the voice of their leader. Their performance is as honest as Haggard’s lyrics, and it is this honesty that was bothering the callers in Los Angeles.
Despite the fact that it is marked by a voracious consumption of information and large doses of televised reality, popular culture may not be ready for Haggard’s honesty and his reflections on his reality. Some listeners may not be prepared to confront the truth that, despite the fact that the war in Iraq was declared to be “over” since May, solders are still dying there virtually everyday. These same listeners may not be ready to hear “Lonesome Day,” an upbeat tune dealing with the fact that post 9/11 society is willing to trade away liberties for security. “Lonesome Day” is reminiscent of both Bob Dylan and Bob Wills. The song begins “When the men in black come kicking in your door/and guitar playing outlaws lay spread eagle on the floor/when our celebrated heroes have been cuffed and locked away/it’s gonna be a lonsome day,” and culminates with amazing fiddle-trumpet unison lines and a tight up tempo swing.
However, the album is not limited to skillfully crafted “protest music.” The title track, penned by Stranger Doug Colosio, discussed life on the honky-tonk road and is driven by the harmonies of its chorus line and by Haggard’s guitar solo. “Garbage Man,” which follows “That’s the News” is aptly described by Haggard in the liner notes as “A fun song,” while “The Downside” is a masterful 1:59 song describing the conflicting emotions that can result from the end of a relationship. “Because of Your Eyes,” “I Dreamed You Didn’t Love Me,” and “I Hate To See It Go” are powerful, touching songs whose tasteful delivery makes them truly memorable and propels the truths that they encapsulate.
There are not many artists who can write equally honestly and gracefully about affairs of the heart, family affairs, and current affairs, but there is only one Merle Haggard and he is very hard to define or categorize. “Yellow Ribbons” illustrates this point well. The liner notes state “There used to be a time when soldiers went to war and folks at home would tie yellow ribbons everywhere” and the message is clear. Merle Haggard supports our troops while questioning the leaders who send them in harm’s way. “Protest singers” do not often take the time to sing about the men in the trenches who are tasked with carrying out the orders of the “masters of war.” A more image conscious artists would have chosen “Yellow Ribbons” as a single instead of “that’s the News,” but Merle Haggard put his image concerns to rest when he followed Johnny Cash’s Advice to come clean about his criminal past.
Honesty has always been Haggard’s defining characteristic and his greatest work has always blended lyrical and musical honesty in one moving musical package. “Like Never Before” is a great album. I was caught of guard by it at first listen but it has brought me back innumerable times and always offers something new. This is surely the mark of a great album.
One of the surprise tracks on the album is the Willie Nelson and Merle Haggard duet “Reno Blues.” This is a Woody Guthrie song describing the demise of a Philadelphia lawyer at the hands of a “gun-toting cowboy” who just happens to be the husband of the lawyer’s love interest. It is a wonderful song that leaves the listener wanting more as it fades out on Willie’s guitar solo. The fact that this song is not the highlight of the album speaks volumes of Merle Haggard’s ability as both a writer and a performing artist.
What then is the highlight of the album? Well, it just may be “Return To San Francisco,” a song that was written by Merle and Jim Upshaw. This song mixes pure, crooning vocals with masterful fiddle, steel guitar, and trumpet. Again there is a Bob Wills feel, Haggard even drops in a Wills-like “Ah,” but the song has a signature Haggard sound that is unique and wonderful and its message is one of hope.
In short, “return To San Francisco” is the perfect close to a unique and wonderful album. Protest songs discuss ominous matters and can cast a cloud over a listener’s mind, “Return to San Francisco” is the silver lining to that cloud. The world needs good music right now almost as much as it needs honesty. “Like Never Before” proves to me once again that the world needs more Merle Haggard.
Merle, please keep those tapes rolling.
BJK - 10/28/03
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posted by Brian J. Kenny @ 12:01 AM
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