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This album is when Merle was in his prime.I first got this album on 8-Track when it was released.I was in a country band at the time and we needed music.We learned most of the songs off this album and albums to come.You can't go wrong with Merle, He's the heart of country music.
It's not constant, but it happens enough to drive me nuts, even on the first listen. The arrangements are similar to the studio albums, but the live energy, Merle's banter and the crowd's energy set the live versions apart. A subtle but maddening crackly, buzzy recurring distortion pervades a lot of the album, in the background and accompanying vocals and instruments alike. I could be wrong--the problems could be inherent in the original tapes, but either way, this release suffers from some serious sound quality issues. I'm a pretty big Merle Haggard fan (I got into him by purchasing the 5 new compilations of 10 of his early albums), and before I bought this highly-rated compilation I wondered how such a popular, apparently great album could be so cheap ($3.). If only Capitol had put out a higher quality remaster, this album would be perfect. Merle plays a number of great hits, like the energetic opener "Mama Tried," and a medley of hit singles about drinking and law trouble. If you're not the kind of person who this would bother, or love Merle so much that you think it's still worth owning (this guy included), then please buy it (it's a great concert), but if you think you might be annoyed by subtle but recurring sound quality issues, you may want to check out some other Merle first.That said, the show recorded on this album is awesome.
The fans sound pleased as punch to be immortalized by Merle's hit song, and they cheer like their lives depend on it.Other standouts include covers of Jimmie Rodgers (with yodeling), a Buck Owens tune sung by one of the Strangers, a Strangers instrumental, and rare Merle tracks like "White Line Fever" and "Billy Overcame His Size." Listening to this again, I'm so impressed with how tight the Strangers are--the pedal steel and rhythm section cook with gas, and perfectly accompany Merle. Assuming that this electronic-sounding problem wasn't part of Merle and the Strangers' sound at the show, it's actually kind of embarrassing that Capitol would release a professional CD with such poor quality. Now, after owning it and listening to it, I have a theory--I think Capitol produced a boatload of a low-quality master, realized their mistake too late, and reduced the price to get rid of their stock. It's one of the most intimate concerts I've heard on recording--you really feel like you're there in small-town Muskogee as the MC introduces Merle, the mayor hands him the key to the city, and the fans cheer when they recognize the songs. To make sure it wasn't just my copy, I checked the electronic version on iTunes, and the same problem's there. Sorry Capitol, but a disclaimer trying to excuse "imperfections" by talking about "limitations of the recording techniques and equipment of the day" doesn't really cut it--countless albums, 60's and earlier, have been remastered at a much higher quality. By the end, I want to join in the Muskogee standing ovation and beg Merle for more music. Because of the flaws, I sadly wouldn't recommend this to a new Merle fan, and would encourage listeners (myself included) to listen past the defects to the great music beneath.
That said if this is all one has to complain about then they're doing good. I've seen him live at least three times yet I consider this to be one of his finest vocal efforts.If I have one complaint it would be that there is a noticeable splice right before White Line Fever.
From the opening introduction to the closing bars of Okie From Muskogee, Merle Haggard and his Strangers are on fire. Only Carlton Hainey could have pulled off this masterpiece of a show.
Haggard was certainly at the top of his game when this album came out and in my opinion seldom sounded better. The interplay between Roy Nichols and Norm Hamlet is worthy fodder for a doctoral thesis on how country music is supposed to be played.
Listen closely to the subtlety of these two masters and you'll see what I mean. I realize that the album had to be culled and the choicest selections rendered, but Capitol could have done a better editing job.
This album as well as Fightin' Side Of Me are HIGHLY, HIGHLY reccomended.
The highlights of this bargain-priced live album are two-fold: Haggard's outstanding songs and the playing of guitarist Roy Nichols. You can hear almost note for note where Jerry Garcia found some of his licks. It's a bit dated, of course, but still a winner.
It is called "The Fightin' Side of Me". This album is great. I would just like to add the previous reviewer Donald mentioned another live album that is just one of my all time favorite live albums. It is a little tough to find though because it is on a double CD. If you search for "Just Between the Two of Us" you will see "The Fightin'Side of Me" which has "Harold's Super Service", "Medley: Devil Woman, I'm Movin On, Folsom Prison Blues, Jackson, Orange Blossom Special, Love's Gonna Live Here" "T.B.Blues" etc.It is truly an incredible album.
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