Working in Tennessee, Merle Haggard's second album for Vanguard, plays a little slower and softer than 2010’s I Am What I Am, a record where Hag gently dwelled on his mortality. There are times where his age crosses his mind -- particularly on “Sometimes I Dream,” where he casually lists off things that aren’t likely to pass his way again -- but generally, he’s ready to “Laugh It Off” as he gripes about what’s playing on the radio, smokes a little dope, and enjoys playing a little bit of blues as he looks back to the past, even cutting a couple of old favorites (“Cocaine Blues,” “Jackson”) and a new version of “Working Man Blues.” Hag never rushes things, never turns up the volume, his western swing now bearing a closer resemblance to the gentlemanly amiability of Hank Thompson instead of the wild, woolly Bob Wills. He’s proceeding at the pace of a 74-year-old legend with nothing to prove, yet he’s not resting on his laurels, he’s just doing what he’s always done: singing songs so expertly his virtuosity almost goes unnoticed.
Working in Tennessee
Merle Haggard
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Working in Tennessee Review
by Stephen Thomas Erlewine
Track Listing
Title/Composer | Performer | Time | Stream | |||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
1 | Merle Haggard | 02:22 | SpotifyAmazon | |||
2 | Merle Haggard | 02:52 | SpotifyAmazon | |||
3 | Merle Haggard | 03:19 | SpotifyAmazon | |||
4 | Merle Haggard | 03:52 | SpotifyAmazon | |||
5 | Merle Haggard | 02:45 | SpotifyAmazon | |||
6 | Merle Haggard | 03:03 | SpotifyAmazon | |||
7 | Merle Haggard | 02:52 | SpotifyAmazon | |||
8 | Merle Haggard | 02:55 | SpotifyAmazon | |||
9 | Merle Haggard | 03:52 | SpotifyAmazon | |||
10 | Merle Haggard | 04:09 | SpotifyAmazon | |||
11 | Merle Haggard | 03:10 | SpotifyAmazon |