Thursday, January 19, 2012

#484 Merle Haggard and the Strangers- Branded Man (1967)

Back from the SOPA inspired internet blackout.  I think it's important to bring it up in this blog, because the act could have the effect of limiting our exposure to music, art and information.  I wouldn't be listening to Merle Haggard on a cold January morning without internet freedom; let's find out if that's a blessing or a curse.

Without going back and counting, I'll bet I've been wrong more times than I was right on this blog, about my preconceived notions of an artist or genre of music that I wasn't familiar with.  I've said in the past, I'm neither a fan nor a hater of country music.  I've jokingly said over the years that I like country music, but only 15 minutes at a time.  Branded Man is one of the shortest albums I've encountered yet at just under 30 minutes.

Branded Man-  The title track of the album, seems autobiographical.  Merle had multiple run-ins with the law since the age of 13 that concluded with a 3 year stay in San Quentin for attempting to rob a tavern.  In today's world, this might be called "street-cred".  The single hit #1 on country charts.  Decent three part harmonies, but nothing else about the song impresses me; no payoff.  That last major 7th note ends the song is very Debbie Downerish.

Loneliness is Eating Me Alive-  I immediately like this, and no it's not just the piano.  This sounds an awful lot like Willie Nelson.  It's a slow shuffle and bluesy, and while it has absolutely nothing to do with Christmas, I can't get that image out of my mind as it plays.  Weird.

Don't Get Married-  Another autobiography prison song, with a Latin feel.  Ha, sucker, he tried stealing a diamond ring for the girl he wanted to marry.  Now he's asking her to wait for him.  Nice harmonies, nice book and nice feel... but it seems cut short.  Someone get these poor fellas a bridge and maybe a story twist?

Somewhere Between-  Again, loving the harmonies, but I'm realizing what's been the rock in my shoe with each of the songs thus far.  It's the constant soloing guitar.  It just doesn't seem to fit: sound, playing, and note choices.  Replace each of the solos and phrase-work with a fiddle, and it would be much improved.

You Don't Have Very Far to Go-  The awkward intro chord changes remind me of Roy Orbison's "You Got It". The whole song actually does come to think of it.  Damnit!  If that guitarists throws in that weird major 7th note resolution one more time..he's fired!  If that's his signature note, then I want him to print from now on.

Gone Crazy-  Steel-guitar.  A little too much of it, almost seems to compete with Merle's singing.

I Threw Away the Rose-  A song about losing love and control to the bottle.

My Hands are Tied-  Another Latin inspired song in 3/4 time.  A song about prison but maybe not the iron bars type?  No, it is about the iron bars type... not a lot of symbolism on this album.

Some of Us Never Learn-  OK THAT GUITARIST IS FIRED.  Another song about alcohol.  Oh wait, is that Merle's playing?  That sour-note must be his idea, why else would it be almost featured on each song?  Maybe he never learned.

Long Black Limousine-  Somebody died.  His old lover.  Ah, there's that spoken middle part that always remind me of Boys to Men.  At least this song has a little ironic twist.  Finally something literary.

Go Home-  More Latin 3/4 time.  A tale of love and Texas racism.  Well, maybe a half-tale, a story with no point.  Maybe Del Griffith co-wrote these ditties.

Well this time I'm putting the W down in my column.  I thought this album wasn't going to appeal to me, and it didn't.  I'm giving every album the same fair objective shake.  Are these songs without merit?  Well, the title song hit #1, and a bunch of qualified people voted it on this list, so perhaps the merit is just lost on me.  Merle's got a solid country voice, but if that's his guitar style, it just plain old sucks on this album.  The harmonies and backup singing is a joy to listen to, but hardly groundbreaking or relevant in some way.

A half an hour poorly spent?  Even a bad day of listening to music is better than a good day in prison.

Next up #483  The Notorious B.I.G. - Life After Death (1997)

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