Same Train, A Different Time: Songs Of Jimmie Rodgers

Amazon.com essential recording
Oddly enough, Merle Haggard first heard the songs of Jimmie Rodgers on Lefty Frizzell's 1951 tribute record. Just as Frizzell (as well as Hank Snow and Ernest Tubb) did, Haggard took advantage of his station atop the country charts by paying homage to country's first legendary figure. Recorded across seven sessions between August 1968 and February 1969, the double-album Same Train barely registered on radar screens upon its initial release, but it remains a loving memorial to one of Hag's idols as well as one of Hag's most sensitive and engaging vocal performances. After all, Haggard could easily relate to the displaced and disillusioned characters that Rodgers portrayed. It's also testament to Rodgers's genius that his characters stayed relevant and his music fit seamlessly into the Strangers' clothes 40 years after the fact. --Marc Greilsamer

Same Train, A Different Time: Songs Of Jimmie Rodgers,Merle Haggard & the Strangers,Koch Records,Bakersfield Sound,Country,Country & Western,Pop,Traditional Country

Average customer rating:

Review of the CD I bought

The Best County Singer ever salutes the Father of Country Music

Keeping The Tradition Alive

Brilliant musicianship

The Hag's Best Ever

Same Train, A Different Time: Songs Of Jimmie Rodgers
Merle Haggard & the Strangers
Manufacturer: Koch Records
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

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Recordings 1927-1933

Peer Sessions

ASIN: B000001SOA
Release Date: 1995-01-24

Tracks:

California Blues
Narration #1
Hobo's Meditation
Waitin' For A Train
Mother, The Queen Of My Heart
My Carolina Sunshine Girl
Narration #2
Train Whistle Blues
Why Should I Be Lonely?
Jimmie's Texas Blues
Blue Yodel No. 6
Narration #3
Mule Skinner Blues (Blue Yodel No. 8)
Peach Picking Time Down In Georgia
Down The Old Road To Home
Travelin' Blues
Miss The Mississippi And You
Frankie And Johnny
No Hard Times
Narration #4
Hobo Bill's Last Ride
My Old Pal
Nobody Knows But Me
Narration #5
Jimmie Rodgers' Last Blue Yodel (The Woman Made A Fool Out Of Me)

Amazon.com essential recording

Oddly enough, Merle Haggard first heard the songs of Jimmie Rodgers on Lefty Frizzell's 1951 tribute record. Just as Frizzell (as well as Hank Snow and Ernest Tubb) did, Haggard took advantage of his station atop the country charts by paying homage to country's first legendary figure. Recorded across seven sessions between August 1968 and February 1969, the double-album Same Train barely registered on radar screens upon its initial release, but it remains a loving memorial to one of Hag's idols as well as one of Hag's most sensitive and engaging vocal performances. After all, Haggard could easily relate to the displaced and disillusioned characters that Rodgers portrayed. It's also testament to Rodgers's genius that his characters stayed relevant and his music fit seamlessly into the Strangers' clothes 40 years after the fact. --Marc Greilsamer

Customer Reviews:

Review of the CD I bought.......2007-02-08

I received the exact product I wanted in a reasonable length. No problems at all.

The Best County Singer ever salutes the Father of Country Music.......2005-11-04

I was living in England when this album was issued and purchased the single LP condensation of the US two record set. When I got back Stateside I bought the two record set, which I have to this day. Although sometimes I get a little impatient with Hag's narrations, I always play the entire side through. I was delighted to find it on CD but when I'm home I still listen to the LP, reserving the CD for use in the car. This set has a very authentic feel with Hag's Strangers doing a good job of replicating the sound of the JR originals. While I think that Hag's singing improved subsequent to this album, his vocals here are clearly a labor of love,complete with yodels.

A very important set of recordings

Keeping The Tradition Alive.......2005-07-24

As tribute albums go it dosn't get any better than this. Merle produced two superlative tribute albums in the 1970's. "Same Train, A Different Time": The Songs Of Jimmie Rodgers and "My Tribute To The Best Damn Fiddle Player In The World": Bob Wills. With each of these, Merle demonstrates a deep rooted affection for not only the music, but for the men who defined the "Blue Yodel Sound" and "Western Swing". Without comming off as heavy handed or pompus Merle takes the listener on a musical journey through the past, into a time and place where hobos rode the rails, always on the watch for the railroad cops, always searching for that next town beyond the bend. A place where they might find a few days work peach pickin' or maybe choppin' wood. And with the Bob Wills album, Merle brings us back to the western Grange Halls where swing bands played a unique blend of country, swing and polkas all night long and fellas snuck out back to steal a kiss from their best gal. Merle knows the music better than anyone alive. He's played it and he's lived it and we can only hope he'll be around for many more years, keeping the sounds and the traditions alive of great musicians like, The "Singing Breakman", Jimmie Rodgers and "The King Of Western Swing", Bob Wills. Long live the sweet sounds of Bakersfield and long may you live live old friend, Merle Haggard.

Brilliant musicianship.......2005-04-21

Anyone who likes country-blues (especially the all-acoustic variety) will love this CD.

Firstly, the songs are the compositions of someone who needs no introduction, the legendary Jimmie Rodgers. Most of them are based on a 12-bar blues pattern, with the lyrics repeating the first verse twice over the first chord-change - a traditional form that was very dear to Rodgers. The words are a good reflection of depression-era themes, such as railroad hoboing (Hobo Bill), scrounging up a modest living (No hard time blues) and, of course, loving and leaving in their many facets (California blues, Jimmie's last Blue Yodel).

Haggard's vocal rendition is somewhat different then Rodgers,' but the result is equally engaging. While Rodgers' voice is haunting and languid, Haggard's is more round and palpable. Also, Haggard's yodeling is much less frequent, but when employed is extremely effective, equally "plodding" and never over-used. In a sense, it is by being completely himself that Haggard nails the spirit of Rodgers' songs.

The arrangements are one of the many strong suits of this CD. For the most part, pieces feature acoustic instruments - drums, bass, guitars, dobros (one played with the slide, the other a dobro-guitar), and blues-harp. A couple pieces have horns, played in a quasi-Dixieland style reminiscent of those in Rodgers' own recordings - while a violin, an electric guitar and a steel guitar surface in a minority of the tracks. Most pieces are moderate "2/4" two-steps, with the occasional waltz.

The accompaniment is provided by Haggard's own band (the Strangers) and the studio artists sometimes heard in his earlier recordings. Among the latter is none other than James Burton, one of the fathers of Country Guitar styles and, of course, the guitarist who toured with Elvis from 1969 to 1977. While most listeners are accustomed to hearing Burton's Telecaster, it is amazing to hear him pick away at a round-neck dobro with equal flair and musicianship (his fiery solo in "No hard time blues" is an oft-copied masterpiece).

Song-choice is varied and representative of Rodgers' output. Also, the recording is interspersed with a few (very brief) tracks of Haggard's narration of Rodgers' life and deeds - which can be easily skipped over once they are familiar to the listener.

Overall, I recommend this CD very enthusiastically to all who enjoy this style of music - a CD that has only strengths and no weaknesses.

The Hag's Best Ever.......2004-07-16

I bought this album in 1969 when it was first released and I still have it now. Even though my old record player is in bad shape I still listen to it whenever I get the time. One can not just sit and listen to one or two of the songs on this album and then cut it off, because when it starts you find yourself getting caught up in the singer the times and music and before you know it you have listened to every song on this two album set. I do not believe that there ever has been or ever will be someone quite like Merle Haggard. He has a voice with depth and quality that no one can duplicate or be compared to. He is truly one of a kind. I too feel that if Jimmy Rodgers was alive to hear this music he would truly be amazed at what he was hearing and wished (even though he could sing these same songs superbly) he could sing them the same way that the Hag could and does here. I have always been a fan of the Hag and always will be. God don't make singers of country music like him any more. This is the kind of music that takes you back to front porches and porch swings. Back to when time seemed to stand still. This music will live forever because of the heart and soul that was put into this music by Jimmy Rodgers first then Merle Haggard. Thanks Merle for sharing Jimmy Rodger's songs and your great talent with all that will give an ear to this great form of music.

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