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Image: Merle's Haggard's-1983 Album Pancho And Lefty
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If you like the silky smooth, on key and tonally balanced style of Merle Haggard then you'll love the other half. If you're like me then you fall in the latter category. Willie Nelson is one of the finest songwriters in history. He's a National Treasure, but the man cannot sing a lick! I don't know how he ever got a contract and became so relevant? At any rate don't send me hate mail, it's just an opinion. With that said Merle's vocals on this album are sublime. The #1 hit "Pancho & Lefty" is the only track here to get excited about and even then Merle doesn't arrive until 3 minutes and 21 seconds into this 4 minute 49 second ballad. He then sings for less than 35 seconds never to be heard from again. I doubt this song would have gotten any traction at all if not for Merle's appearance. Furthermore, the overall feel of the musicians sounds like a 'karaoke' album. I often wonder if Merle and Willie were even in the studio at the same time? The Strangers were mostly absent during the recording of this album leaving a programmed feel that was popular at the time. The album was recorded in Texas, but has that undeniable cheesy Nashville 'overdub' sound from the era. Add Willie's 'western-single-note-pickin'-style' and this one not only falls flat, it barely makes if off the ground at all. But wait, Willie & Merle would do it to us again in 1987 with their 2nd duet album entitled "The Seashores Of Old Mexico". Both ventures makes me wonder what they were thinking? TWICE!!! :) Be sure to check out Merle Haggard's Official Site! |
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Image: Jason Cross-Life After All-2012
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