#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)

#489 Steve Earle- Guitar Town (1986)

In the case of this album, I can say at least that I've heard of Steve Earle, and that I've heard a song or two of his music which I'd categorize as country/rockabilly.  I can also tell you that once or twice in the mid 90's, I'd heard him interviewed by broadcasting legend Steve Dahl (of disco demolition fame) on Chicago radio and was captivated by his story telling and politics.  I recall he had a troubled past--a long time drug addiction and ensuing incarceration for a short stint, and that upon release had been re-energized as an artist and a writer.  This is my basic starting point as I cue up track one.

Guitar Town- While I can't generally categorize myself as a country music fan, I'm not a hater of the genre either.  I can appreciate when it's done well.  This is done well, it's not cliche in structure, sound, or lyrics.  I can't get enough of his signature tremolo guitar sound, but that cheesy organ was used by everyone and their brother in the 80's.

Goodbye's All We've Got Left-  I'm impressed by how crisp and clean it sounds.  The second single released (after the country and pop billboard charting title song) from the album shines like a brand new quarter in my earphones.  I read that GT was one of the first country albums recorded digitally using state of the art equipment for 1986.

Hillbilly Highway-  a footstomper that was the third charting single, but a little light on substance

Good Ol' Boy (Gettin' Tough)- "born in the land of plenty and there ain't enough" It's better than filler, but not much.

My Old Friend the Blues- When a song is strong like this one, it doesn't need alot of help.  This is Steve, a guitar or two, and a sad story that slowly builds.  Sweetly simple, and simply sweet.

Someday- A song about wanting to get out of small town America. It was the fourth country charter

Think it Over-  Another toe tapper, sounds like it could have come out of the 50's, as if Buddy Holly might have penned it.  The guitar picking style reminds me of Buck Owens (via the Beatles).

Fearless Heart- If I had to pick a song on the album I don't like, this is it.  It sounds like a bad Bryan Adams song all countrified.  Structurally, it could have come from a template, and the choice of guitar sound doubled with a jangly synth on the solo is horrible.

Little Rock n' Roller-  It was a nice enough song written from the perspective of a touring musician to his young daughter; that is until the bad synthesizer sounds crash in.  The songs of the mid to late 80's are marked or rather cursed with the Yamaha DX7.  It was hands down the most popular keyboard of the era, and makes everything sound like the theme of Doogie Howser to my ears.

Down the Road-  Steve's voice is pure, heartfelt, and honest.  The song opens (and closes) with just him singing, and it's easy to see why he was nominated for a grammy in the best male country vocalist category.  The backing upright bass, mandolins and guitars warm the song up enough, that I can ignore the 80's timestamp organ again.

Guitar Town was the debut album for Steve Earle, who'd spent the 10+ years prior writing hit songs for the likes of Vince Gill, Carl Perkins, Johnny Lee and even Elvis.  The next six years would prove both commercially successful for him, and personally challenging as he went to jail on heroin charges.  He emerged clean and focused. He went on to release more than 10 albums, has had key TV roles (The Wire) and has hosted radio shows on Air America as well as Sirius.

While I can't generally categorize myself as a supporter of this album being in Rock's top 500, the vocal performances and song writing are strong enough that I can't hate on it either.


Next Up- #488 D'Angelo- Voodoo (2000)