Search - Merle Haggard :: I'm a Lonesome Fugitive / Branded Man

"The Hag" at the Top of his Game

R. Webb | u.s.a. | 06/02/2008

(5 out of 5 stars)

"FINALLY,Capitol released these early recordings of Merle Haggard and the Strangers. This is the real "Bakersfield sound",the type of country music I love and listen to. The best way to describe this distinctive sound which stands aside from the rest is the lead guitar played by none other than Roy Nichols or James Burton(they call it chicken pickin'.) also don't forget the gut-wrenching, winding steel from Norm Hamlet. In the sixties,Merle Haggard and Buck Owens(can't forget Buck.) were always head to head competing with each other,Haggard eventually married Owens' wife Bonnie Owens.(a little trivia.) - Branded man/Lonesome fugitive,are two of "the hag's" early records,and make up a pretty good compilation,-this one is the best of the four titles I own in my collection. The others are titled as follows,Bonnie and Clyde/Sing Me Back Home,Pride in What I Am/Mama Tried,Strangers /Swingin' Doors-"Swingin' Doors",the second solo Capitol recording, is the best of all the early Merle Haggard albums,buy them all - Make no mistake this is Merle Haggard at the top of his game."

The Best Introduction to Merle!

Iowahawkeye "Warren" | Astoria, NY United States | 05/06/2008

(5 out of 5 stars)

"I had not purchased any Hag until these remastered two-fers came out last year. I have to tell you, i haven't been able to stop listening to this cd since i opened it a few months ago. The remastering is strong, his voice up in the forefront, all instrumments are clear as a bell. Not too much bass, but you'll know when these songs come up on your Ipod just how pristine and clear the remastering is. Every song on "Branded Man" is fantastic, and almost all the ones on "Fugitive" are just ad good. I personally love all the harmonies on "Branded Man" and hope all is later stuff is similar or expands on this premise. I dare you to get these songs out of your head! HIGHLY RECOMMENDED."