Peer Sessions

Amazon.com
Beginning with Jimmie Rodgers's "Peach Pickin' Time in Georgia" and continuing through the next couple of tunes, Merle Haggard sounds almost too laid-back, too nostalgic, on this collection of chestnuts from the venerable Peer-Southern catalog. But by the time he hits W. Lee O'Daniel's "Put Me in Your Pocket," the delicacy of both the stately band and his parched vocals begin conveying the sense of a life lived hard and, perhaps almost coincidentally, well. Ultimately, the late-night sound becomes as comforting for the listener as it clearly is for the star. Only Haggard, after all, could get away with Rodgers's "Whippin' That Old T.B.," or with putting the contrasting Floyd Tillman standards "It Makes No Difference Now" and "I Love You So Much It Hurts" on the same CD in the 21st century. --John Morthland

Peer Sessions,Merle Haggard,Audium Entertainment,Bakersfield Sound,Country,Country & Western,Honky Tonk,Pop,Traditional Country,Western Swing Revival

Average customer rating: Peer Sessions by Merle Haggard Better Than Good Doesn't Get Any Better Than This... Not a weak song on the album merle unplugged (almost)

Peer Sessions Merle Haggard Manufacturer: Audium Entertainment ProductGroup: Music Binding: Audio CD General | Country | Styles | Music Honky-Tonk | Country | Styles | Music CDs $7 - $10 | Honky-Tonk | Country | Today's Deals in Music | Formats | Music All Bargain Titles | Honky-Tonk | Country | Today's Deals in Music | Formats | Music General | Country | Indie Music | Stores | Music Similar Items: Roots Volume 1 Haggard Like Never Before If I Could Only Fly Same Train, Different Time Chicago Wind ASIN: B0000658O8 Release Date: 2002-05-21

Tracks:

1. Peach Pickin' Time in Georgia
2. If It's Wrong to Love You
3. Sweethearts or Strangers
4. Put Me in Your Pocket
5. Anniversary Blue Yodel
6. Shackles & Chains
7. Miss the Mississippi and You
8. It Makes No Difference Now
9. Whippin' That Old T.B.
10. Hang on to the Memories
11. I Love You So Much It Hurts
12. Time Changes Everything

Amazon.com

Beginning with Jimmie Rodgers's "Peach Pickin' Time in Georgia" and continuing through the next couple of tunes, Merle Haggard sounds almost too laid-back, too nostalgic, on this collection of chestnuts from the venerable Peer-Southern catalog. But by the time he hits W. Lee O'Daniel's "Put Me in Your Pocket," the delicacy of both the stately band and his parched vocals begin conveying the sense of a life lived hard and, perhaps almost coincidentally, well. Ultimately, the late-night sound becomes as comforting for the listener as it clearly is for the star. Only Haggard, after all, could get away with Rodgers's "Whippin' That Old T.B.," or with putting the contrasting Floyd Tillman standards "It Makes No Difference Now" and "I Love You So Much It Hurts" on the same CD in the 21st century. --John Morthland

Customer Reviews:

Peer Sessions by Merle Haggard.......2007-04-02

I personally loved Merle's Peer Sessions CD. He sounded so relaxed and just let it go. I think it was one of his best. I thoroughly enjoy listening to it. I would highly recommend it to anyone who likes Merle's style.

Better Than Good.......2006-06-03

Not a lot I can say but that Merle Haggard, no matter what he does, is hard to beat. This album is really good. It's one of his best, the best being Hag.

Doesn't Get Any Better Than This..........2005-05-09

This CD, released in 2002 but recorded in the mid to late '90's, is simply superb. I grew up with "real" country music, and this is as close as one gets these days...other reviewers have mentioned this but it is worth repeating. The CD has a 'live' feel to it, with the band in top form, and Merle's singing as solid as ever. True, he has recorded some of these songs earlier in his career, but the maturity evident in these recordings is almost beyond belief. This CD is never far from my CD player. It is absolutely 'soothing' music by a true legend. The songs (12 total) written by Jimmie Rogers, and Jimmie Davis, are wonderful choices for Merle's voice...the others by Tillman, Haley, Dodd and Mitchell, and Lee O'Daniel are also great and round out this incredible 'session.' In this CD you get a taste of the many Merle 'styles.' Each song tells its own story as is customary in country music...in fact this CD is like a "mini-history of classic country music." (Roy Horton, from the notes). And the duet with Jimmie Davis -- what can you say except 'Wow!" And let's not forget the incredible playing of Owen Bradley on the piano!

If you are a fan of traditional, classic, country music this CD needs to be in your collection, along with others by Merle, George Jones, Johnny Cash, Eddy Arnold, Jim Reeves, etc.

If you're a Haggard fan, this is one you should own, probably do, and if not, what are you waiting for? It doesn't get any better than this...

Not a weak song on the album.......2003-12-12

I have listened to country music all my life (48 years) and never heard anything better than this. These are classic songs performed by the man I consider the greatest living practitioner of the art. Do yourself a favor and get this album.

merle unplugged (almost).......2003-10-04

This is an extraordinarily appealing record. It's like having Merle and few instrumentalists sitting around in your living room performing old songs that they clearly love. It seems ungrateful to suggest any reservations, but if I were going to I might wish for a little more variety in the selections, maybe one uptempo number (maybe another Bob Wills number) in the midst of all these sleepy tunes, and a little less polish on Miss the Mississippi (Emmy Lou can present the tune as elegant but still country; here, the two qualities don't quite mesh.)
Still, this is a record I wouldn't be without. I only wish my parents had lived long enough to hear it.

Music Album:

1. Picture in a Frame
2. Pirates of the Mississippi
3. Private Radio
4. Revolutions
5. Rise Above It
6. Road Music: 23 Truckin' Hits
7. Running Wild
8. Shiver [Import]
9. Sidetracks
10. Sing a Song for You

Music Album