MELLOW MERLE MASTERFULLY MIXES PASSION, POETRY, & POLITICS by William Topel
The year 2005 brought us the latest Merle Haggard album, “Chicago Wind”. Long known as the poet balladeer of country music, Merle gave us his mellower side of his music in this album but did not forsake the meaningful lyrics for which he has been known for decades.
The opening song, “Chicago Wind” begins with a classical instrumental guitarwork, a la flamenco, before proceeding with the bluesy lyrics written by Merle, who wrote six of the eleven songs on this album. That opening song is just the prelude to what amounts to eleven musical performances befitting a finer concert hall setting or an evening at Austin City Limits, as Merle shows us that an older gentleman can sound like a younger folk artist, picking and strumming his guitar when needed, with the subdued country instrumentals in the background, & putting forth the melodic poetry from his experienced lips. Other songs written by Roger Miller and Dewayne Blackwell, two each, and one by Willie Nelson, complement Mr. Haggard’s solid authorship. The last song on the album, “Some of Us Fly”, is a duet with another solid contemporary songwriter, the famous Toby Keith, another Oklahoman.
The passion and poetry are supplemented by Merle’s social commentary, Via libertarian patriotism. The second song, “Where’s All The Freedom”, expresses the feelings that our liberties and social norms are being eroded during the time after 9/11:
“Where’s all the freedom that we’re fightin’ for
Is is still our creed from shore to shore
After a soldier fights, should we read him his new rights
There’s not that many to read anymore
Where’s all the freedom that we’re fightin’ for.”
“Where’s all the freedom that we fought to save
It is gone for good with yesterday
Hey there ain’t no fun around
It’s the same in every town
Can’t show the Ten Commandments anymore
Where’s all the freedom that we fightin’ for.”
“My grandson done gone to battle
And I’m somewhere below Seattle
Can’t afford to take my car to the grocery store
Where’s all the freedom that we’re fightin’ for.”
“My grandson done gone to battle
And I’m somewhere below Seattle
Countin’ the cars with police across the door
Where’s all the freedom that we’re fightin’ for.”
“Where’s all the freedom that we’re prayin’ for
Are we a nation under God anymore
How long do we cower down
Is this really still our ground
Our country is like a prisoner of war
Where’s all the freedom that we’re fightin’ for.”
(Copyright 2005 Merle Haggard Music, Inc., BMI).
The eighth song, “America First”, continues with Merle’s traditional and contemporary political and philosophical statements:
“Why don’t we liberate these United States
We’re the ones who need it the worst
Let the rest of the world help us for a change
And let’s rebuild America first.”
“Our highways and bridges are falling apart
Who’s blessed and who has been cursed
There’s things to be done all over the world
But let’s rebuild America first.”
“Who’s on the hill and who’s watching the valley
Who’s in charge of it all
God bless the Army and God bless our liberty
Dadgum the rest of it all.”
“Yea, men in position but backing away
Freedom is stuck in reverse
Let’s get out of Iraq and get back on the track
And let’s rebuild America first.”
“Why don’t we liberate these United States
We’re the ones who need it the most
You think I’m blowing smoke
Boys it ain’t no joke
I make twenty trips a year from coast to coast.”
(Copyright 2005 Merle Haggard Music, Inc., BMI).
If you have never heard of Merle Haggard before this, or if you have a Stereotype impression of how country music sounds, you really need to listen to this magnificent album by one of country music’s finest living singer-songwriters. Merle’s smooth voice has not waivered over the decades, giving testament to this album’s melodic mellowness that will enable couples to cuddle up on the dance floor for the duration of this album. Merle’s lyrics & voice & subject matter are timeless. Like fine wine that gets better with time, Merle Haggard’s “Chicago Wind” album is this country crooner’s mellow masterpiece.
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Original Investigative Journalism from the
Columnist Guild News Bureau
The opening song, “Chicago Wind” begins with a classical instrumental guitarwork, a la flamenco, before proceeding with the bluesy lyrics written by Merle, who wrote six of the eleven songs on this album. That opening song is just the prelude to what amounts to eleven musical performances befitting a finer concert hall setting or an evening at Austin City Limits, as Merle shows us that an older gentleman can sound like a younger folk artist, picking and strumming his guitar when needed, with the subdued country instrumentals in the background, & putting forth the melodic poetry from his experienced lips. Other songs written by Roger Miller and Dewayne Blackwell, two each, and one by Willie Nelson, complement Mr. Haggard’s solid authorship. The last song on the album, “Some of Us Fly”, is a duet with another solid contemporary songwriter, the famous Toby Keith, another Oklahoman.
The passion and poetry are supplemented by Merle’s social commentary, Via libertarian patriotism. The second song, “Where’s All The Freedom”, expresses the feelings that our liberties and social norms are being eroded during the time after 9/11:
Is is still our creed from shore to shore
After a soldier fights, should we read him his new rights
There’s not that many to read anymore
Where’s all the freedom that we’re fightin’ for.”
“Where’s all the freedom that we fought to save
It is gone for good with yesterday
Hey there ain’t no fun around
It’s the same in every town
Can’t show the Ten Commandments anymore
Where’s all the freedom that we fightin’ for.”
“My grandson done gone to battle
And I’m somewhere below Seattle
Can’t afford to take my car to the grocery store
Where’s all the freedom that we’re fightin’ for.”
“My grandson done gone to battle
And I’m somewhere below Seattle
Countin’ the cars with police across the door
Where’s all the freedom that we’re fightin’ for.”
“Where’s all the freedom that we’re prayin’ for
Are we a nation under God anymore
How long do we cower down
Is this really still our ground
Our country is like a prisoner of war
Where’s all the freedom that we’re fightin’ for.”
(Copyright 2005 Merle Haggard Music, Inc., BMI).
The eighth song, “America First”, continues with Merle’s traditional and contemporary political and philosophical statements:
We’re the ones who need it the worst
Let the rest of the world help us for a change
And let’s rebuild America first.”
“Our highways and bridges are falling apart
Who’s blessed and who has been cursed
There’s things to be done all over the world
But let’s rebuild America first.”
“Who’s on the hill and who’s watching the valley
Who’s in charge of it all
God bless the Army and God bless our liberty
Dadgum the rest of it all.”
“Yea, men in position but backing away
Freedom is stuck in reverse
Let’s get out of Iraq and get back on the track
And let’s rebuild America first.”
“Why don’t we liberate these United States
We’re the ones who need it the most
You think I’m blowing smoke
Boys it ain’t no joke
I make twenty trips a year from coast to coast.”
(Copyright 2005 Merle Haggard Music, Inc., BMI).
If you have never heard of Merle Haggard before this, or if you have a Stereotype impression of how country music sounds, you really need to listen to this magnificent album by one of country music’s finest living singer-songwriters. Merle’s smooth voice has not waivered over the decades, giving testament to this album’s melodic mellowness that will enable couples to cuddle up on the dance floor for the duration of this album. Merle’s lyrics & voice & subject matter are timeless. Like fine wine that gets better with time, Merle Haggard’s “Chicago Wind” album is this country crooner’s mellow masterpiece.
Original Investigative Journalism from the
Columnist Guild News Bureau
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