Must have Merle Haggard

[big jimmy]

Looking to expand my collection of Merle. What do I need for my listening pleasure?

 

[elihu]

Looking to expand my collection of Merle. What do I need for my listening pleasure?

There's a 4 CD set of Merle songs called "Down Every Road" that's a good companion for me and my truck.

Great singer, writer and player-I don't think I see his like again in my lifetime.

 

[brookdalebill]

You have to get the first album, From Now On ....
He did not make a bad album, but I like the early stuff, up to say, 1985.
He always had the Strangers, and All Stars like Johnny Gimble and Reggie Young on his albums.
He never sang a bum note, and was a perfectly good guitar player.
If I Could Only Fly was my favorite "newer" album.
Check out the MH Introduces The Strangers, and Best Damn Fiddle Player (70's Bob Wills Tribute) albums, too.

 

[Tommyd55]

You have to get the first album, From Now On ....
He did not make a bad album, but I like the early stuff, up to say, 1985.
He always had the Strangers, and All Stars like Johnny Gimble and Reggie Young on his albums.
He never sang a bum note, and was a perfectly good guitar player.
If I Could Only Fly was my favorite "newer" album.
Check out the MH Introduces The Strangers, and Best Damn Fiddle Player (70's Bob Wills Tribute) albums, too.

I've always liked Back to the Barrooms, though I didn't really care for the title track.. there are some great cuts on it though.. Back in my High School days (Austin) it was Silver Wings on the jute box.
I have always considered Merle as one of the finest singers ever.. I would have to say Merle and John Lennon are my two favorite vocalist ever.

 

[drf64]

Looking to expand my collection of Merle. What do I need for my listening pleasure?

There's a 4 CD set of Merle songs called "Down Every Road" that's a good companion for me and my truck.

Great singer, writer and player-I don't think I see his like again in my lifetime.

First you need a truck

 

[JSMac]

This one is fun and has some great pickin'.

 

[Stanford Guitar]

Is there anything that isn't must have??

 

[John Owen]

As @brookdalebill said, he did not make a bad album. Other than the ones already mentioned, two of my favorites are:
- Same Train Different Time - Merle sings Jimmie Rogers: This is the album that made me realize how cool Merle was. I was in high school and had convinced myself that country music was embarassing or something like that. This album opened my eyes to how great Merle, Jimmie Rogers and country music in general are simultaneously.
- Bluegrass sessions - This is one of his later records. Great songs and some of the best musicians on the planet (including Marty Stuart and Rob Ikes among others).

 

[ndcaster]

+1 Down Every Road, great collection and wonderful booklet

Same Train, Different Time (Jimmie Rodgers tribute)

the Bob Wills tribute album

and then every other cut you can find on YouTube so you can round out the eras you like

Merle was a phenomenal singer.

 

[burnedpopcorn]

There are five guitar solos in this one, my latest lesson on Six String Country, “I Think I’ll Just Stay Here and Drink.” It’s also my favorite pandemic song.

 

[Killing Floor]

Yeah, I came here to say All of It!

 

[Dan R]

This is when I finally understood Merle Haggard. A friend had the record and I became a huge fan. I'd heard and seen Merle on TV and radio but this record made me a lifetime fan. I love all things Merle Haggard. He is the greatest.

PS Reggie Young on lead guitar. RIP

"Going Where The Lonely Go" and "Big City" are must haves also. I like "Kern River", but it took some time for it to grow on me.

 

[ndcaster]

Merle is one of a very few artists who make me want to collect vinyl. These two records would be near the top of the list:

 

[loco gringo]

That's The Way Love Goes
Serving 190 Proof
Big City

 

[ndcaster]

Live at Anaheim is terrific. Biff and the boys are so good on rhythm that announcers have to warn people to stop dancing in the stands.

 

[elihu]

First you need a truck

 

[BB]

As said....everything by Merle! I really like the albums 'Friend In California', 'Chill Factor' and 'Sea Shores Of Old Mexico' with Willie. Killer songs, killer singing and killer musicians.

 

[gtrwrks]

As Sad as it can get -

 

[ndcaster]

this is a great tune from the Anaheim concert

 

[capgun]

I don't think I see his like again in my lifetime.

Or any lifetime.