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 |
