After releasing his tribute to Jimmie Rodgers, Merle Haggard immediately set about working on a tribute to his other major musical idol, Bob Wills. Haggard learned how to play fiddle and, within a month, he recruited many of the original Playboys to augment the Strangers and began recording the album that became A Tribute to the Best Damn Fiddle Player (Or My Salute to Bob Wills). Where Same Train, Different Time was a measured, heartfelt tribute, Best Damn Fiddle Player is a ragged, enthusiastic good time. Haggard, the Strangers, and the Playboys play their hearts out, breathing life into Wills warhorses like "Right or Wrong," "Stay a Little Longer," "Time Changes Everything," and "San Antonio Rose," while bringing attention to lesser-known songs like "Brain Cloudy Blues," "I Knew the Moment I Lost You," and "Old-Fashioned Love." The fact that Western swing re-established itself as a viable country genre after the release of A Tribute to the Best Damn Fiddle Player is a testament to the power and charm of this record.
Merle Haggard / Merle Haggard & the Strangers
A Tribute to the Best Damn Fiddle Player in the World (Or, My Salute to Bob Wills)
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AllMusic Review by Stephen Thomas Erlewine
Track Listing
| Title/Composer | Performer | Time | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 2:50 | ||||
| 2 | 2:36 | ||||
| 3 | 3:38 | ||||
| 4 | 2:48 | ||||
| 5 | 3:19 | ||||
| 6 | 5:56 | ||||
| 7 | 2:53 | ||||
| 8 | 3:00 | ||||
| 9 | 2:39 | ||||
| 10 | 2:32 | ||||
| 11 | 2:16 | ||||
| 12 | 2:38 |
