Liberty
2005
Chicago Wind
About This Album
It's no secret that Merle Haggard's been on a roll in the 21st century. His independently released albums on Epitaph and Compendium were all acclaimed, and with good reason: Haggard has been the most consistent songwriter and performer country music has ever produced. Check his track record. Chicago Wind marks Hag's return to the majors, for the label he left decades ago, Capitol. Produced by Jimmy Bowen and Mike Post, it features 11 new songs, all but four written by Merle. While he's not using his touring band on this one, the musicians that surround him are Nash Vegas vets, from guitarists Reggie Young and Billy Joe Walker, Jr. to Herb Pedersen and legendary bassist Leland Sklar, just to name a few. Sure, it's slicker, the budget was bigger, and its edges have been rounded, but no more than they were on his Epic records. There's soul in bushels here. And most of it's slow, deliberate and tender. There's a softness in Haggard's gruff delivery that offers the same sensitive poet who recorded songs like "Shopping for Dresses" and "Going Where The Lonely Go." There are two "political" anthems here. "Where's All the Freedom" looks to the past as a way of evaluating the future.
Track List (try tracks 1,2,8 and 9)

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