Haggard Like Never Before

Amazon.com
What does it mean that the man who famously took on the antiwar movement in 1970 with what many interpreted as the pro-Nixon "The Fightin’ Side of Me" reemerges more than three decades later with a devastatingly pensive antiwar song for the G.W. Bush era? Listening to "That’s the News," Hag’s latest blue-collar protest song, prompts one to conclude that the country giant hasn’t changed much at all; you’d still be on his fightin’ side if you attacked the troops, but their leaders are fair game. "Suddenly the cost of war is out of sight/ Lost a lot of heroes in the fight/ Politicians do all the talking/ Soldiers pay the dues/ Suddenly the war is over, that’s the news," he intones, and one is left to wonder what the let’s-kick-butt likes of Toby Keith would make of the nuanced Hag circa 2003. Like Never Before proves 2000’s comeback effort If I Could Only Fly was no fluke. Showing great care in presenting 10 sparely arranged originals (a Willie Nelson duet on Woody Guthrie’s "Reno Blues" rounds out the set), Haggard moves easily from honky-tonker to Western swing to ballads with the ease of well-traveled man who may have strayed off the path now and again, but has never lost his bearings. --Steven Stolder

Haggard Like Never Before,Merle Haggard,Hag,Bakersfield Sound,Country,Honky Tonk,Pop,Western Swing

Average customer rating:

Like Never Before

One of his best albums in years

Merle is still gettin' it done.

I think you're missing the point...

Good, gritty Haggard

Haggard Like Never Before
Merle Haggard
Manufacturer: Compendia
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

General | Country | Styles | Music
Honky-Tonk | Country | Styles | Music
Western Swing | Country | Styles | Music
General | Traditional Country | Country | Styles | Music
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ASIN: B0000BYQ9M
Release Date: 2003-09-30

Tracks:

Haggard Like Never Before
That's The News
Garbage Man
Reno Blues
The Downside
Because Of Your Eyes
Lonesome Day
I Dreamed You Didn't Love Me
Yellow Ribbons
I Hate To See It Go
Return To San Francisco

Amazon.com

What does it mean that the man who famously took on the antiwar movement in 1970 with what many interpreted as the pro-Nixon "The Fightin' Side of Me" reemerges more than three decades later with a devastatingly pensive antiwar song for the G.W. Bush era? Listening to "That's the News," Hag's latest blue-collar protest song, prompts one to conclude that the country giant hasn't changed much at all; you'd still be on his fightin' side if you attacked the troops, but their leaders are fair game. "Suddenly the cost of war is out of sight/ Lost a lot of heroes in the fight/ Politicians do all the talking/ Soldiers pay the dues/ Suddenly the war is over, that's the news," he intones, and one is left to wonder what the let's-kick-butt likes of Toby Keith would make of the nuanced Hag circa 2003. Like Never Before proves 2000's comeback effort If I Could Only Fly was no fluke. Showing great care in presenting 10 sparely arranged originals (a Willie Nelson duet on Woody Guthrie's "Reno Blues" rounds out the set), Haggard moves easily from honky-tonker to Western swing to ballads with the ease of well-traveled man who may have strayed off the path now and again, but has never lost his bearings. --Steven Stolder

Customer Reviews:

Like Never Before.......2004-01-18

Country radio would like to carve Merle Haggard's face up on Mount Rushmore and then play "Okie from Muskogie" once every six months or so on the "Country Gold" show. If all you listen to is country radio, you might think that Merle Haggard has died or fallen off the face of the earth. Well, like Waylon Jennings would say... "WRONG!"

This album, and "If I Could Only Fly" which came before it, are two of the best country albums I have heard in years. There is only one Merle Haggard, and he is still here, making some of the best music on the planet, whether Nashville is paying attention or not.

One of his best albums in years.......2004-01-15

Dedicating the album to his dental surgeon, who made the album possible, Merle opens the disc up with the title track, which describes the hardships of life on the road when you're an old, old man, ready to retire at last. And this time, it seems like he might mean it -- there's definitely a weariness at play here that's as genuinely moving as it is sad. His political/libertarian streak is also live and kicking, as heard on the sombre but sublime featured track, "That's The News," in which Merle seems to take President Bush to task, even while supporting the troops (a sentiment reprised on "Yellow Ribbons," towards the album's end). He's still looking out for the Men In Black, on the outlaw-paranoia anthem, "Lonesome Day..." As ever, it's a little hard to pin Merle down on whole liberal/conservative political spectrum, but it's clear that current events are still on his mind: he's a little bummed out but still soldiering on. And more power to him: this is one of his strongest albums in years!

Merle is still gettin' it done........2004-01-13

I've been waiting for this record to be released for quite some time now. Listeners to my radio show "Are You Ready for the Country?" have been waiting for this record for quite some time. I know I wasn't disappointed. We had Merle on the show for an interview and really featured this record all across the country to listeners. Mainstream country radio should feel ridiculous that they play the same songs over and over and over. Especially songs that aren't even "country". The songs aren't honest whatsoever and the listeners should call in to those radio stations and request the honest "new" music of Merle Haggard.

This record is so honest, but isn't that what we should expect from Merle Haggard? I've heard some folks claim that it's a good record but it's just not the same "ole Hag" from the past. Yes it is the same Hag.. he's gotten more "Haggard than ever before" but the man is still writing songs about what is going on in his life. He's no longer writing drinking songs because that isn't what's happening in his life any longer. The brilliant thing about Merle Haggard.. the thing that has always been brilliant about Merle Haggard is his honesty. This record may be the most honest one of them all.

The title track is just a real good country song. Merle pouring his heart out.. telling you the road is hard.. telling you he may not be on it for very much longer. It's got a great beat and there's a good solo by Merle in that classic Merle guitar tone.

"That's the News" is classic lyrically.. musically it's a bit weak. It's certainly grown on me though.

"Garbage Man" is a feel good tune. I told Merle it just makes you want to get up and dance. It's one from the old Milton Brown days.

The duet with Willie on "Philadelphia Lawyer (Reno Blues)" is just amazing. Both of these guys are singing great, musically it's classic Hag/Nelson stuff.

"The Downside" may be my favorite on the record. Honky Tonk country. This is the type of song Hag would've done in the 80's.

I could go on and on about every song but I'm not. Pick this record up. The honesty of the tune "I Hate to See It Go" is worth every penny.

The only downside to the record are songs like "Yellow Ribbons" & "Return to San Francisco". Good songs with good messages but musically they aren't that good. That's why I give this record four stars.

Wow, what a long review. Anyway, buy this album today.

I think you're missing the point..........2003-12-07

I love this album and I want to clear up something the amazon review and a few reviewers seem to be confused about. "That's the News" isn't a protest song against the war, its a protest song about how the media and certain politicians (hint, some are running for the Democratic candidacy) are pretending to careabout the sacrifices of our troops for their own political gain or simply ignoring it to run 24 hour coverage of a kidnapping case because "people are tired of war news." Look at it as a more mellow "Fightin Side of Me."

Good, gritty Haggard.......2003-11-27

Some very good, strong Haggard esp. the title song, The Garbage Man, Ten Feet Tall and That's The News. Re the last one: what's the point? the banality of war? A curious song from the man identified with Fightin' Side of Me-style, pro-US songs.

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