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Fret Wilkes · April 19th, 2005, 11:14 AM

don't get your sweet country pickin' fangers all covered with erl"

I had the GREAT pleasure of seeing Merle Haggard at The Orpheum in Boston, Ma. this past Friday and Saturday night.

Friday night was a tad frustrating in that my seats were waaaaaaay in the back on the floor, under the balconey. Lots of people drinking and talking in the balconey/hall area over our heads and making it difficult to really focus on Merle, but STILL enjoyed the show very much. (Haggard AND Dylan after all!)

Saturday was just plain OUTSTANDING! Seats in the balconey...great sound and view. The Strangers were EXCELLANT and Merle's guitar playing and singing were great. Merle was simply awesome all around, great stage presence, a genuine LEGEND. Dang, Merle can sing!!!! I left the Orpheum on Cloud-9.

To paraphrase the Pure Prairie League from the song title listed in my header..."there he was, the GREATEST COUNTRY SINGER ALIVE!"

Thanks MERLE...truly wonderful.
Fret

Andy R · April 19th, 2005, 11:36 AM

I saw Hag at the Ryman last year, and it was like a reigous experience. The Hank Williams of our time.

Mark Davis · April 19th, 2005, 02:42 PM

Merles voice just keeps getting better he is way better of a singer than he was in the 70's.

hekawi · April 19th, 2005, 02:49 PM

report on the guitars played by merle and the band, please.

by the way, that is my all-time favorite pure prairie league song.

Fret Wilkes · April 19th, 2005, 03:03 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by hekawi

report on the guitars played by merle and the band, please.

by the way, that is my all-time favorite pure prairie league song.

Well, Merle was on his signature Tuff Dog Telecaster through what looked like 2 tweed Bassmans. The rhythm guitar player played a white maple neck Telecaster with white guard also thru what looked like a Bassman. Merle' tone had a little grind on it when he wanted. The tone was very good if not classic 50's Telecaster.

Fiddle/mandolin player played what looked similar to a Fender electric mandolin.

Norm Hamlett played pedal steel (couldn't see the brand) and dobro.

Jimo · April 19th, 2005, 05:15 PM

was also performed by "Big Brother and the Holding Company"....cheers!---JIMO :D

Fret Wilkes · April 19th, 2005, 05:21 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jimo

was also performed by "Big Brother and the Holding Company"....cheers!---JIMO :D

No kidding! (Johnny..."I did not know that".)

What year was that? Is it their tune?

Thanks

Jimo · April 19th, 2005, 05:24 PM

I don't remember the year--but it was on one of their albums after Janis left them, I pretty sure I am one of the only people who bought it---It was a funny song---Our band used to play it in Checotah Oklahoma, where a bunch of Merles relatives are from--just to yank their chain----hahaha------cheers!----JIMO :D

Smokin OP · April 19th, 2005, 08:48 PM

According to All Music Guide, Nick Gravenites wrote the song. Big Brother did it in 1970 on the Be A Brother album.
I knew this song from a Pure Prairie League album. Still do it occassionally... a little mando/banjo at break neck speed can be fun!

jhundt · April 20th, 2005, 12:29 PM

He's pretty well-known too...

Fret Wilkes · April 20th, 2005, 12:45 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jhundt

He's pretty well-known too...

Well, I thought Dylan was outstanding. Than band was very good as usual. I missed Larry Campbell a bit though. Donny Herron was very good if not quite as dynamic a steel guitar player as Larry. I noticed in Highway 61 Larry usually tears the roof off the joint on the straight steel. Donny seemed a tad timid, but he may grow into the position...I'll have to check out a BUNCH more shows! The George Receli / Tony Garnier rhythm section is just outrageous. Man, can George play them drums!

Saturday night...Ballad Of Hollis Bown, Lonesome Death Of Hattie Carrol, Every Grain of Sand AND Bilnd Wille McTell!!!!! YIKES!

Dylan continues to ROCK! Stu Kimball on Stratocaster and Telecaster (blackguard) and another gent on a Strat plus Donny Herron doing the steel/banjo chores.

Dylan now hits the AAA ballparks with Wille Nelson for May/July.

Check it out!!

April 19th, 2005, 11:14 AM	#1 (permalink)
Fret Wilkes Tele-Afflicted Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: Harmony, R.I. Age: 52 Posts: 1,500 47 Photos	I'll fix your flat tire Merle... don't get your sweet country pickin' fangers all covered with erl" I had the GREAT pleasure of seeing Merle Haggard at The Orpheum in Boston, Ma. this past Friday and Saturday night. Friday night was a tad frustrating in that my seats were waaaaaaay in the back on the floor, under the balconey. Lots of people drinking and talking in the balconey/hall area over our heads and making it difficult to really focus on Merle, but STILL enjoyed the show very much. (Haggard AND Dylan after all!) Saturday was just plain OUTSTANDING! Seats in the balconey...great sound and view. The Strangers were EXCELLANT and Merle's guitar playing and singing were great. Merle was simply awesome all around, great stage presence, a genuine LEGEND. Dang, Merle can sing!!!! I left the Orpheum on Cloud-9. To paraphrase the Pure Prairie League from the song title listed in my header..."there he was, the GREATEST COUNTRY SINGER ALIVE!" Thanks MERLE...truly wonderful. Fret __________________ See, I didn't reconize ya when ya first drove up till ya stuck yer hand out and wove then I seen right off who ya was and knowd ya.

April 19th, 2005, 02:49 PM	#4 (permalink)
hekawi Friend of Leo's Join Date: Apr 2003 Location: greenville, sc Posts: 2,610	merle report on the guitars played by merle and the band, please. by the way, that is my all-time favorite pure prairie league song.

April 19th, 2005, 05:15 PM	#6 (permalink)
Jimo Tele-Holic Join Date: May 2004 Posts: 736	re: I'll fix your flat tire Merle..... was also performed by "Big Brother and the Holding Company"....cheers!---JIMO :D

April 19th, 2005, 05:24 PM	#8 (permalink)
Jimo Tele-Holic Join Date: May 2004 Posts: 736	I forget---again I don't remember the year--but it was on one of their albums after Janis left them, I pretty sure I am one of the only people who bought it---It was a funny song---Our band used to play it in Checotah Oklahoma, where a bunch of Merles relatives are from--just to yank their chain----hahaha------cheers!----JIMO :D

April 19th, 2005, 08:48 PM	#9 (permalink)
Smokin OP Tele-Meister Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: Leesburg, GA Posts: 351	According to All Music Guide, Nick Gravenites wrote the song. Big Brother did it in 1970 on the Be A Brother album. I knew this song from a Pure Prairie League album. Still do it occassionally... a little mando/banjo at break neck speed can be fun! __________________ It's so country, it couldn't go pop with a mouthful of firecrackers.

April 19th, 2005, 11:36 AM	#2 (permalink)
Andy R Tele-Holic Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: nashville Posts: 702 4 Photos	I saw Hag at the Ryman last year, and it was like a reigous experience. The Hank Williams of our time.

April 19th, 2005, 02:42 PM	#3 (permalink)
Mark Davis Doctor of Teleocity Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: Bakersfield Ca. Age: 59 Posts: 17,168	Merles voice just keeps getting better he is way better of a singer than he was in the 70's.

April 20th, 2005, 12:29 PM	#10 (permalink)
jhundt Friend of Leo's Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: Netherlands Age: 55 Posts: 4,032 13 Photos	How was the other act? He's pretty well-known too...

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