Haggard Like Never Before by Merle Haggard

Haggard Like Never Before

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Haggard Like Never Before

Features

Audio CD (September 30, 2003)

Number of Discs: 1

Label: Hag

Reader Reviews
IF I COULD ONLY FLY, Merle Haggard's acoustic predecessor to this disappointing release was a masterpiece. There wasn't a song that was casually written or carelessly performed. The recording and mix were ideal. It was as close to a mature album by a true country artist as I'd ever heard. HAGGARD LIKE NEVER BEFORE is a plugged-in, less inspired release. Clocking in at about 31 minutes, it provides a very brief program of good -- but not great -- songs at full price, and there isn't a cut in the bunch I can easily recall after three playings. THAT'S THE NEWS, the second song on the release falls especially flat in light of the country's engagement in Iraq. It sounds like an anti-war song, but not quite. It waffles, and the musical line just doesn't take the listener anywhere. GARBAGE MAN is a weak blues effort for an artist of this caliber. Only the poignant I HATE TO SEE IT GO has some of the heart and soul I associate with this wonderful artist. The band is capable, but the arrangements are uninspired. The whole enterprise lacks energy in a way that troubled me. I love almost everything Merle Haggard has produced, but this isn't one. I've moved this to the top of my sell pile. By any other artist, it would rate one star.

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