Merle Haggard - Chicago Wind
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CD Details
Artist: Merle HaggardEdition: Music CD
Format: Content/Copy-Protected CD
CD Release Date: 2005-10-25
Music Label: Liberty
Soundtracks:
- Chicago Wind
- Mexico
- Honky Tonk Man
- I Still Can't Say Goodbye
- It Always Will Be
- Leaving's Not The Only Way To Go
- What I've Been Meaning To Say
- Rebuild America First
- Where's All The Freedom
- White Man Singing The Blues
- Some Of Us Fly (with Toby Keith)
Music reviews of Chicago Wind
Music Review: Merle, updated for 2005...
Rating: 4 Stars
This is Merle's first CD to be produced by someone other than himself since "1994". As with that CD, this one is much slicker and mainstream sounding than Hag's self-produced efforts. It's interesting to note that with Jimmy Bowen's previous collaborations with Merle, one ("Serving 190 Proof") wasn't slick at all, and may have been Merle's best album. The second, ("Back to the Barrooms"), was a bit "Nashville" slick - but didn't seem like it with all of the drinking songs. The result of this CD is uneven, but it certainly has more commercial potential than anything Merle has done since he left the Epic label in 1989. Here's a track by track review:
1. Chicago wind - My favorite cut on the disc. Jazzy guitars, good song - excellent vocal. Merle seems to always find something new and unique to try.
2. Where's all the freedom - I actually like this more than "America first". I agree with the sentiment, and it's a catchy tune.
3. White man singing the blues - Merle stretches this out more than the original version, and the guitar work is excellent. I still prefer the original version, however (1973 - "presents his 30th album").
4. Leavin's not the only way to go - Considering that it was written for a broadway show (Roger Miller's "Big river"), it's no suprise that it's a bit of a big production number. It's a really good song, however (although it's hard to figure how this song would apply to Huckleberry Finn!). Another good vocal by Hag.
5. What I've been meaning to say - Pretty good love song, but diminished by Jimmy Buffett-styled instrumentation.
6. Mexico - Lightweight (a rare comment for a Merle Haggard song), but you CAN tap your toe to it!
7. Honky tonk man - This was written for the Clint Eastwood movie, and sung by Clint in the film. Also recorded for the sountrack by Marty Robbins. I don't particularly care for the song, but Merle sings it nice.
8. (Rebuild) America first - The first single and video from the CD. The timing of this song is perfect, and if this one doesn't get played on the radio, it will be an awful shame. With airplay, this could be a big hit for Merle, considering that the majority of Americans probably agree with the message (in regards to the war and the hurricanes).
9. It always will be - A nice love song, this was recently the title song of a Willie Nelson CD (written by Willie). Merle's been doing this one live for a while, so he obviously likes it a lot.
10. I still can't say goodbye - Nice song, surely close to Merle's heart (about difficulty in dealing with the death of a father). This was done by Chet Atkins in the late 80's. The production is very Nashville, but still a good cut.
11. Some of us fly - (w/ Toby Keith) As with their duet on Toby's latest CD, the big guy shows that he can sing given the right material. Excellent philosophical lyric, terrific fiddle playing by Scott Joss. My second favorite cut on the disc.
Overall, this is a good (and different) CD for Merle. Clearly it was Merle's intent to make a contemporary sounding disc on his first new CD with Capitol ("Unforgettable" was recorded long before Merle re-signed with the label). Even though I prefer Merle recording with his own band, and the production on "If I could only fly", "Roots", and "Haggard like never before" was more to my taste - "Chicago wind" is a refreshing change. I think Merle (and Capitol) have made a full-out effort to appeal to a wider audience, and artistically he has succeeded. If this one doesn't catch on, I think there is no hope for mainstream country music!
Mon Nov 07, 2005 10:49 pm
Description of Chicago Wind
Merle Haggard Photos
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More from Merle Haggard
 Unforgettable |  Hag: The Best of Merle Haggard |  Merle Haggard - 20 Greatest Hits |
Merle Haggard's return to his original label, Capitol Records, has revitalized him creatively and musically. Slick but unobtrusive production by Jimmy Bowen (Haggard's old MCA producer) and Mike Post showcase his vocals--as strong as they've been in years--on a blend of Haggard originals and skillfully chosen covers. The atmospheric title track vividly evokes desolation and loneliness. "Where's All the Freedom" and "Rebuild America First" reflect Haggard's thoughtful, libertarian patriotism, the latter including an unsubtle jab at the war in Iraq. "What I've Been Meaning to Say" and "Mexico" reaffirm Haggard's continued skill at creating brilliant love songs. "Some of Us Fly," a philosophical duet with Toby Keith, showcases Keith's often-underrated skills as a balladeer. The cover numbers--Willie Nelson's "It Always Will Be" and "Leavin's Not the Only Way to Go," one of Roger Miller's more reflective songs--fit hand in glove with the originals. Many perceive Haggard as a legend. Yet on Chicago Wind, he demonstrates the ability to remain timeless, yet thoroughly of the moment. --Rich Kienzle
Recommended Merle Haggard
 Big City |  If I Could Only Fly |  I'm a Lonesome Fugitive/Mama Tried |
 40 #1 Hits |  Down Every Road |  Roots Volume 1 |
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