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Since there have been so many Merle Haggard compilations released over the years, it's easy to assume that his stint at Epic Records in the '80s is well documented, but that's not necessarily the case. First of all, many of the proper studio albums are either long out of print or have never made it to CD, so it's hard to hear the entirety of his catalog, and secondly, there just haven't been that many hits collections, and those aren't entirely satisfying either. Apart from 1984's His Epic Hits: First Eleven to Be Continued, released partway through his time at the label, there has been only one other U.S.-released compilation, 1990's Greatest Hits of the 80's, which covered the same territory, but not any better. So, it's been a full 20 years since there's been a good collection of Merle's Epic recordings released in America. In the meantime, Edsel released the excellent collection Yesterday's Wine 1981-1988 in 1998, which ran a generous 24 tracks and contained the bulk of his best work for the label. Given the length of that collection, it's not surprising that Epic/Legacy's 2004 The Essential Merle Haggard: The Epic Years, the first domestic comp in 14 years, has a lot of overlap with it -- in fact, 11 of the 14 songs on this compilation are also on Yesterday's Wine (the ones exclusive to Essential are "I Always Get Lucky With You," "I Had a Beautiful Time," and "The Okie from Muskogee's Comin' Home"). So, if you already own that, this isn't necessary, but Yesterday's Wine is difficult to find, going out of print just a few years after its release, so this becomes the best overview of Hag's Epic years on the market. At only 14 tracks, it's not as exhaustive as the Edsel disc, but this contains all the big songs -- "Big City," "Are the Good Times Really Over (I Wish a Buck Was Still Silver)," "Let's Chase Each Other Around the Room," "That's the Way Love Goes," "Pancho and Lefty," and "Going Where the Lonely Go" -- and is a highly entertaining listen, making it an excellent overview and introduction to an underrated phase of Haggard's rich career.
© Stephen Thomas Erlewine /TiVo
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Dennis Hromek, Bass - Lewis Talley, Producer - Merle Haggard, Composer - Merle Haggard, Vocal - Merle Haggard, Producer - Merle Haggard, Guitar - Merle Haggard, Lyricist - Merle Haggard, Performer - Dean Holloway, Composer - Dean Holloway, Lyricist - Ken Suesov, Engineer - Roy Nichols, Guitar - Roy Nichols, Harmonica - Russ Bracher, 2nd Engineer - Don Markham, Saxophone - Don Markham, Horns - Don Markham, Trumpet - Jim Upshaw, Assistant Producer - Biff Adams, Drums - Norm Hamlet, Steel Guitar - Norm Hamlet, Dobro - Jimmy Belkin, Fiddle - Slyde Hyde, Trombone - Tiny Moore, Mandolin - Tiny Moore, Fiddle - Mark Yeary, Piano
(P) 1981 Sony Music Entertainment Inc.
Dennis Hromek, Bass - Lewis Talley, Producer - Merle Haggard, Vocal - Merle Haggard, Composer - Merle Haggard, Producer - Merle Haggard, Guitar - Merle Haggard, Lyricist - Merle Haggard, Performer - Ken Suesov, Engineer - Roy Nichols, Guitar - Roy Nichols, Harmonica - Russ Bracher, 2nd Engineer - Don Markham, Saxophone - Don Markham, Horns - Don Markham, Trumpet - Jim Upshaw, Assistant Producer - Biff Adams, Drums - Norm Hamlet, Steel Guitar - Norm Hamlet, Dobro - Jimmy Belkin, Fiddle - Slyde Hyde, Trombone - Tiny Moore, Mandolin - Tiny Moore, Fiddle - Mark Yeary, Piano
(P) 1981 Sony Music Entertainment Inc.
Leona Williams, Composer - Leona Williams, Lyricist - Merle Haggard, Vocal - Merle Haggard, Performer - Merle Haggard, Producer - Merle Haggard, Composer - Merle Haggard, Lyricist - Ray Baker, Producer
(P) 1983 Sony Music Entertainment
George Jones, Vocal - George Jones, Performer - Don Markham, Trumpet - Don Markham, Trombone - Pete Bordonali, Guitar - Willie Nelson, Composer - Willie Nelson, Lyricist - Dave Kirby, Guitar - Jimmy Belkin, Fiddle - Hargus Robbins, Keyboards - Lea Jane Berinati, Background Vocal - Freddy Powers, Guitar - Terry McMillan, Harmonica - Karen Taylor, Background Vocal - Merle Haggard, Vocal - Merle Haggard, Performer - Bobby Emmons, Keyboards - Hershel Winginton, Background Vocal - Bobby Wood, Keyboards - Weldon Myrick, Steel Guitar - Bobby Thompson, Guitar - Dennis Wilson, Background Vocal - Billy Sherrill, Producer - Billy Sanford, Guitar
(P) 1982 Sony Music Entertainment
Steven Grahn, 2nd Engineer - Clint Strong, Guitar - Bonnie Owens, Background Vocal - Don Markham, Saxophone - Don Markham, Trumpet - Henry Palkef, 2nd Engineer - Denny Purcell, Mastering Engineer - Joe Chemae, Background Vocal - Gary Church, Trombone - Grady Martin, Guitar - Merle Haggard, Background Vocal - Merle Haggard, Composer - Merle Haggard, Producer - Merle Haggard, Lyricist - Merle Haggard, Guitar - Merle Haggard, Performer - Mark Yeary, Keyboards - John Nowland, Engineer - Red Lane, Guitar - Norm Hamlet, Steel Guitar - Norm Hamlet, Dobro - Jimmy Haas, Background Vocal - Mike Leech, Bass - Jimmy Belken, Fiddle - Ken Suesov, Producer - Ken Suesov, Engineer - Jon Joice, Background Vocal - Biff Adam, Drums - Steve Gibson, Guitar
(P) 1987 Sony Music Entertainment Inc.
Don Markham, Horns - Roy Nichols, Guitar - Tiny Moore, Mandolin - Tiny Moore, Fiddle - Fuzzy Owen, Assistant Producer - Sheril Rodgers, Composer - Sheril Rodgers, Lyricist - Ron "Snake" Reynolds, Engineer - Lewis Talley, Assistant Producer - Freddy Powers, Composer - Freddy Powers, Lyricist - Dean Holloway, Assistant Producer - Merle Haggard, Producer - Merle Haggard, Composer - Merle Haggard, Guitar - Merle Haggard, Lyricist - Merle Haggard, Performer - Glenn Meadows, Mastering Engineer - Mark Yeary, Keyboards - Bobby Wood, Keyboards - Norm Hamlet, Steel Guitar - Lloyd Lindroth, Harp - Mike Leech, Bass - Jimmy Belken, Fiddle - Ed "Fast" Hudson, 2nd Engineer - Dennis Hromek, Acoustic Bass - Ray Baker, Co-Producer - Biff Adam, Drums
(P) 1984 Sony Music Entertainment
M. Haggard, Composer - M. Haggard, Lyricist - Don Markham, Saxophone - Don Markham, Horns - Don Markham, Trumpet - Roy Nichols, Guitar - Roy Nichols, Harmonica - Tiny Moore, Mandolin - Tiny Moore, Fiddle - F. Powers, Composer - F. Powers, Lyricist - Jimmy Belkin, Fiddle - Lewis Talley, Producer - Slyde Hyde, Trombone - Merle Haggard, Vocal - Merle Haggard, Producer - Merle Haggard, Guitar - Merle Haggard, Performer - Mark Yeary, Piano - Jim Upshaw, Assistant Producer - G. Church, Composer - G. Church, Lyricist - Russ Bracher, 2nd Engineer - Norm Hamlet, Steel Guitar - Norm Hamlet, Dobro - Biff Adams, Drums - Ken Suesov, Engineer - B. Whitson, Composer - B. Whitson, Lyricist - Dennis Hromek, Bass
(P) 1981 Sony Music Entertainment Inc.
Sanger D. Shafer, Composer - Sanger D. Shafer, Lyricist - Merle Haggard, Vocal - Merle Haggard, Performer - Merle Haggard, Producer - Ray Baker, Producer - Lefty Frizzell, Composer - Lefty Frizzell, Lyricist
(P) 1983 Sony Music Entertainment
Lewis Talley, Producer - Merle Haggard, Producer - Merle Haggard, Vocal - Merle Haggard, Composer - Merle Haggard, Guitar - Merle Haggard, Lyricist - Merle Haggard, Performer - Dean Holloway, Composer - Dean Holloway, Assistant Producer - Dean Holloway, Lyricist - Roy Nichols, Guitar - Roy Nichols, Harmonica - Ken Suesov, Engineer - Russ Bracher, Engineer - Rick McCollister, Engineer - Jimmy Belken, Fiddle - Biff Adams, Drums - Fuzzy Owens, Assistant Producer - Norm Hamlet, Steel Guitar - Norm Hamlet, Dobro - Tiny Moore, Mandolin - Tiny Moore, Fiddle - Mark Yeary, Piano
(P) 1982 Sony Music Entertainment
Don Markham, Horns - Willie Nelson, Composer - Willie Nelson, Lyricist - Roy Nichols, Guitar - Tiny Moore, Mandolin - Tiny Moore, Fiddle - Fuzzy Owen, Assistant Producer - Ron "Snake" Reynolds, Engineer - Lewis Talley, Assistant Producer - Freddy Powers, Composer - Freddy Powers, Lyricist - Dean Holloway, Assistant Producer - Merle Haggard, Producer - Merle Haggard, Composer - Merle Haggard, Guitar - Merle Haggard, Lyricist - Glenn Meadows, Mastering Engineer - Mark Yeary, Keyboards - Bobby Wood, Keyboards - Norm Hamlet, Steel Guitar - Lloyd Lindroth, Harp - Mike Leech, Bass - Merle Haggard with Janie Frickie, Performer - Jimmy Belken, Fiddle - Ed "Fast" Hudson, 2nd Engineer - Janie Fricke, Vocal - Dennis Hromek, Acoustic Bass - Ray Baker, Co-Producer - Biff Adam, Drums
(P) 1984 Sony Music Entertainment
ED HUDSON, 2nd Engineer - Merle Haggard, Performer - Merle Haggard, Producer - Merle Haggard, Composer - Merle Haggard, Lyricist - RON 'SNAKE' REYNOLDS, Co-Producer - RON 'SNAKE' REYNOLDS, Engineer
(P) 1985 Sony Music Entertainment Inc.
Dennis Hromek, Bass - Lewis Talley, Producer - Merle Haggard, Composer - Merle Haggard, Vocal - Merle Haggard, Lyricist - Merle Haggard, Producer - Merle Haggard, Guitar - Merle Haggard, Performer - Ken Suesov, Engineer - Roy Nichols, Guitar - Roy Nichols, Harmonica - Russ Bracher, 2nd Engineer - Don Markham, Saxophone - Don Markham, Horns - Don Markham, Trumpet - Jim Upshaw, Assistant Producer - Biff Adams, Drums - Norm Hamlet, Steel Guitar - Norm Hamlet, Dobro - Jimmy Belkin, Fiddle - Slyde Hyde, Trombone - Tiny Moore, Mandolin - Tiny Moore, Fiddle - Mark Yeary, Piano
(P) 1981 Sony Music Entertainment Inc.
Chips Moman, Producer - Chips Moman, Guitar - Lewis Talley, Guitar - Merle Haggard, Background Vocal - Merle Haggard, Guitar - Grady Martin, Guitar - T. van Zandt, Composer - T. van Zandt, Lyricist - Mike Leech, Bass - Don Markham, Saxophone - Mickey Raphael, Harmonica - Bobby Wood, Background Vocal - Bobby Wood, Keyboards - Reggie Young, Guitar - Johnny Christopher, Background Vocal - Johnny Christopher, Guitar - Willie Nelson, Background Vocal - Willie Nelson, Guitar - Willie Nelson, Performer - Bobby Emmons, Keyboards - Gene Chrisman, Drums
(P) 1982 Sony Music Entertainment
ED HUDSON, 2nd Engineer - M. Haggard, Composer - M. Haggard, Lyricist - Merle Haggard, Performer - Merle Haggard, Producer - RON 'SNAKE' REYNOLDS, Co-Producer - RON 'SNAKE' REYNOLDS, Engineer - F. Powers, Composer - F. Powers, Lyricist
(P) 1986 Sony Music Entertainment Inc.
Album review
Since there have been so many Merle Haggard compilations released over the years, it's easy to assume that his stint at Epic Records in the '80s is well documented, but that's not necessarily the case. First of all, many of the proper studio albums are either long out of print or have never made it to CD, so it's hard to hear the entirety of his catalog, and secondly, there just haven't been that many hits collections, and those aren't entirely satisfying either. Apart from 1984's His Epic Hits: First Eleven to Be Continued, released partway through his time at the label, there has been only one other U.S.-released compilation, 1990's Greatest Hits of the 80's, which covered the same territory, but not any better. So, it's been a full 20 years since there's been a good collection of Merle's Epic recordings released in America. In the meantime, Edsel released the excellent collection Yesterday's Wine 1981-1988 in 1998, which ran a generous 24 tracks and contained the bulk of his best work for the label. Given the length of that collection, it's not surprising that Epic/Legacy's 2004 The Essential Merle Haggard: The Epic Years, the first domestic comp in 14 years, has a lot of overlap with it -- in fact, 11 of the 14 songs on this compilation are also on Yesterday's Wine (the ones exclusive to Essential are "I Always Get Lucky With You," "I Had a Beautiful Time," and "The Okie from Muskogee's Comin' Home"). So, if you already own that, this isn't necessary, but Yesterday's Wine is difficult to find, going out of print just a few years after its release, so this becomes the best overview of Hag's Epic years on the market. At only 14 tracks, it's not as exhaustive as the Edsel disc, but this contains all the big songs -- "Big City," "Are the Good Times Really Over (I Wish a Buck Was Still Silver)," "Let's Chase Each Other Around the Room," "That's the Way Love Goes," "Pancho and Lefty," and "Going Where the Lonely Go" -- and is a highly entertaining listen, making it an excellent overview and introduction to an underrated phase of Haggard's rich career.
© Stephen Thomas Erlewine /TiVo
About the album
- 1 disc(s) - 14 track(s)
- Total length: 00:48:25
- Main artists: Merle Haggard
- Composer: Various Composers
- Label: Epic - Legacy
- Genre: Country
(P) 1981, 1982, 1983, 1984, 1985, 1986, 1987, 2004 SONY BMG MUSIC ENTERTAINMENT
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