I’m a Lonesome Fugitive

Oh, it's country. Fuck off then

Dang, this is some good ass country music. Makes me want to take a shot of whiskey and punch someone in the face cause I can't give up my rough and rowdy ways.

Of course it's great, it's Merle Haggard. Great music for road trips, especially sections of highway that are less congested so you can just sit back and relax a tad.

Couldn't even finish this garbage. Hate this style of Country music.

Left me broken inside. Damn, Merle, why’d you have to be so loud. Country music really is the music of pain.

A country classic and liked it more than I expected to :)

Toe-tapping music at it's finest. I just wanna two-step around the room. :) Love me some, Merle!

Some good, ol' fashioned country music. If there's one thing that I've learned from this album generator, it's that I don't hate country music, I hate modern country music. The songs go down smooth and don't overstay their welcome. Hadn't heard of Merle Haggard before, but I'll definitely be listening to him more from here on out.

Excellent - a true classic of the genre. Good ol' honky tonk Country songs of heartbreak, loneliness, cheatin' women, and running away from responsibilities ;) Haggard's voice sounds great and is well supported by the traditional country sounds of pedal steel et cetera.

I prefer Merle a million times more than Buck Owens. Some will draw the line from Buck to Merle to Dwight Yoakam and they wouldn't be wrong. Merle gets major points for "Mama Tried" and "Okie From Muskogee" two all time bangers (both are obvious 5's). Neither song appears on this album, so seek those out if you've never heard them. If you're looking to do a deep dive on the wonders of Merle, fair warning: Spotify separates Merle Haggard from Merle Haggard & The Strangers, which is just annoying. This album just scratches the surface of the Merle legend, but it'll help you understand why Merle Haggard merits consideration for the Mount Rushmore of country music.

Grâce à cet album, j'ai enfin pu comprendre où voulait en venir mon camarade d'écoute robnouricière lorsqu'il évoquait le genre musical "Bob l'éponge". Je vais vous révéler ici le secret de ce genre musical. Lancez l'album de Merde, et concentrez-vous sur l'instrument à cordes utilisé. Maintenant, pensez fort à Bob l'éponge, dégustant un Krusty Crab dans l'enceinte de Monsieur Crabe, en compagnie de son camarade Carlos. L'immersion devrait être des plus totales, et des bulles ne devraient pas tarder à sortir de votre bouche. Un grand merci à rob et à l'album de merde du jour pour ce petit secret révélé.

A few artists truly pioneered the outlaw country movement in the late 60s into the 70s, and Merle Haggard was certainly among those; this is true outlaw country representation! While a bit of an oxymoron, Merle Haggard is in the outlaw country elite. Even when compared to country outlaw "founders" Waylon Jennings and Willie Nelson, Merle often came across rougher, grittier, grungier, and overall as a stronger example of the outlaw vibe. While I would say that Waylon and Willie have had some success outside of the outlaw country sphere, Merle didn't see his first major success until this album, arguably his first outlaw country album. Essentially, every song on this album is dripping in that folky, bad boy "outlaw" vibe. The impact here can not be overstated, as outlaw country artists like Merle have inspired countless other country artists that have emerged since to sing about grittier, more rebellious, less "polite society" topics. Listen to just about any country song that emerged after this major outlaw period and you can hear Merle's and other outlaw country artists' influence. Hearing this album leaves no doubt as to why Haggard has had a long-lasting, now immortalized place in outlaw country fame. A great inclusion showing a very specific and very popular movement in country music.

When I listened to the Rolling Stone 500 there was a 100 song anthology of his work on it. I think I was depressed for a week afterwards. This one was a much more manageable chunk of songs.

Un mauvais album de plus dans cette période sombre que certains qualifieraient volontiers de "Crise du Générateur". On réalise très vite que Merle Haggard est un proche de Buck Owens et qu'il va nous servir la même soupe à base de générique de Bob l'éponge. Merde Haggarl.

Cowboy prison sadness

I’ve always felt like the term “Outlaw Country” was nothing more than creative marketing. Like…this is just country music except with the occasional reference to being on the run. …and before you get all, “uh, ackshually…”, yes I know Merle Haggard served time and had a criminal past. The phrase “Outlaw Country” gives the impression that it’s gonna be the kind of music that’ll make you want break a beer bottle across someone’s face and then go rob the Circle K down the road. This ain’t that. This is just regular old country music.

What a silky smooth voice and backing strings

Good road trip vibes

Sorpresota. Otro disco perfecto.

Excellent album - very evocative.

Je n'écoutais quasi jamais de Country, et c'est une révélation

Perfection

Classic

Hell yeah. This is just good old fashioned country music. Loved it.

One of the greats.

Fugitive country. The original OG. Brilliant storytelling, influential, charismatic.

I have spoken before, during my review of Buck Evans' I've Got a Tiger by the Tail, about the kaleidoscope of reasons why an individual wouldn't like country. But why would an individual like country? Well, country is often simple, unpretentious fun. It fits both a rowdy honky-tonk Saturday night and a contemplative moment with a glass of bourbon. Its best singers have qualities rare in other genres: grit, directness and authority. Someone once told me that country is the only genre focused of expressing the listener's travails: when a country singer wails about being unable to make that month's rent, it is sung for the members of the audience who can't make that month's rent. And perhaps the greatest strength of country is the same as the greatest strength of soul: both genres are unsurpassed in making the listener feel a deeper sense of emotion. With soul, the emotion it conveys most profoundly is love; the emotion that country expresses with similar insight is, of course, heartache. Every cowboy sings a sad, sad song. Merle Haggard is my favourite country singer. I am in no way an expert on country, but I know enough to have a favourite singer, and that's Merle Haggard. Merle Haggard was one of the figures representing the most credible stance of country artists: the troubled, wandering bad boy constantly evading the law, not always successfully, and whose unsettled past provided their songs with authenticity and toughness. This is the tradition of Hank Williams, Johnny Cash and the outlaw country movement. Merle Haggard's drifter jailbird country was damn more authentic than most. An Okie from California, Haggard's teenage years can be summarised by the extensive rap sheet he managed. After a few periods of reform school, Haggard got inspired to pursue music, but poverty led him to attempt a robbery, which led him to attend San Quentin. He then changed direction and concentrated on becoming the most adept country songwriter there ever was. Oddly, his most famous song is the rather unrepresentative, conservative protest song Okie from Muskogee, which opens with the line "We don't smoke marijuana in Muskogee"; in later years, Haggard would love himself some blazing up of a fatso JJ (I understand that's what the kids call it nowadays). I'm a Lonesome Fugitive is Merle Haggard's third album, and exemplifies the Bakersfield sound, which was a California-based anti-Nashville style of country that readily took lessons and rhythms from rock 'n' roll. So, I'm a Lonesome Fugitive has real pep, and If You Want to Be My Woman is a straight-up blues number. But it should be noted that, since it's a 1967 country album, the record serves more as a showcase of Merle Haggard's songs from early 1967 than as a coherent album interlaced with themes and leitmotifs. But like Are You Experienced and Wild is the Wind, I'm a Lonesome Fugitive is a really good showcase. We experience most of the standard rounds in Haggard's revolver: convict troubadour numbers, (I'm a Lonesome Fugitive), murder ballads (Life in Prison), paradigmatic love songs (All of Me Belongs to You), juke joint blues rockers (If You Want to Be My Woman), odes to drinking away one's problems (Drink Up and Be Somebody), odes to just drinking (My Rough and Rowdy Ways). Every song here is mighty fine, and every listen so far has just made them mighty finer. But one property of this album worth noting is that this is not an album for teenagers. The audience this album aims for is adult, even middle-aged. The album's humour is wry and drenched in rye. The sorrows of this album are adult concerns of penury and the losses of serious love, not adolescent infatuations. Even resorting to booze to ease a broken heart, while not necessarily a mature response, is by definition an adult one. So, this has set me to thinking if the snottiness against country stems from age. I can understand perfectly if a teenager has no inclination to seek out some Willie Nelson. How would that teenager feel once they hit 35? Does the predilection to country music depend on how close you are to your first prostate exam? NoRadio, signing off.

It's 30 minutes of Merle doing his thing. He gets in and gets out, leaving you wanting more. Legend. Best track: Someone Told My Story

No country music is more pure than The Hag. One of my favorite artists, always brings me back to memories of being a kid and my dad having this on. I normally just hear the greatest hits albums, so this was great to hear some tracks I'd never heard.

Gem

Terrific

Makes me want to listen to more real country, some good rhythms

Good stuff

Man, what a fun, honky tonk time! This is another album that makes me glad I'm embarking on this adventure. Such neat, succinct, story-driven songs that just kept me boppin' the whole entire time. Even the slow ballads have their place here. I really, really enjoyed this, and I think the influence of several different genres really elevates this past their peers. Fav tracks: If You Want To Be My Woman, Mixed Up Mess Of A Heart, All Of Me Belongs To You, Somebody Told My Story

"I'm a Lonesome Fugitive" is the third studio album by country music singer, songwriter, guitarist and fiddler Merle Haggard and his band the Strangers. The song "I'm a Lonesome Fugitive" brought Haggard country music stardom. The Strangers included Ray Nichols (guitar), Ralph Mooney (steel guitar), George French (piano), Jerry Ward (bass) and Eddie Burns (drums). The album hit #3 in the US Country Charts and #165 in the US Pop Charts. The lead single "I'm a Lonesome Fugitive" was written by Liz and Casey Anderson and is based on the TV show "The Fugitive." Acoustic, electric and steel guitars playing. Great strong vocals by Haggard and backing vocals by his wife Bonnie Owens. He's runnin' from the law. It's hard to find a country album without a waltz and we get that right away with "House of Memories." Piano more in the forefront. Great steel guitar. Outstanding lyrics as his house is a prison. Speaking of prisons, Haggard was in prison and attended one of the Johnny Cash 1960 shows that would become the "At San Quentin" album. It's no wonder when Haggard sings "Life in Prison," it sounds authentic. More great harmony vocals by Owens and steel guitar by Strangler Ralph Mooney. Not all country has to be slow and "If You Want Be My Woman" gets the country dance beat going. A pouncing piano. Layered guitars and a guitar fade at the outro. Haggard does a cover of Jimmie Rodgers' "My Rough and Rowdy Ways." The steel guitar is more bluesy. The bass is loud and prominent. He wants to settle change and settle down but can't. This is a superb album. Great lyrics. Tremendous vocals by Haggard and harmony vocals by Owens. Top notch musicianship. He's checks all country song boxes: songs of love, about being down and out and being an outlaw. An album everyone needs to listen to no matter what your musical preference may be.

Fun honkey tonk blues. Love this vibe

This is good old real country.

It’s just good folky country. Very consistent and accessible

I loved it!

Wow, what a record. This really took me off guard. This is such a typical classic Country sound but just GUSHING with sincerity. Merle is such an astounding lyricist. I was on board from the beginning and really got taken on a journey through this album. Genuinely a huge pleasure to listen to, and I’m ashamed of all the so-called music fans on this site so quick to dismiss an artist speaking so bluntly and earnestly just because of the genre they happen to excel in. Top tracks: All Of Me Belongs To You, House Of Memories, Whatever Happened To Me, Someone Told My Story, If You Want To Be My Woman, Mary’s Mine, Skid Row

Not a fan of country music but I enjoyed this. I would listen to this again.

Country <3

Honestly, I loved it. I've grown to appreciate some of these old-guard country artists as I get a little older. The music may be a little simple, the lyrical themes are direct, but I love these artists, albums, and songs for their clarity (sonic as well as thematic). Merle Haggard has a great voice, particularly in his younger years, and he delivers sincerely throughout this album. The final song, "Mixed Up Mess of A Heart" sounds like it was lifted right off a Buck Owens record. (This should be only a small surprise, as Buck Owens' wife Bonnie--later Haggard's wife--sings harmony on this record.) If you have any appreciation for that old-school AM Country sound, this album will satisfy.

I'd like every current country artist to listen to this album and get back to their roots. From the opening guitar picking, this album is pure country.eir roots. From the opening guitar picking, this album is pure country.

Today would have been my dad’s 80th birthday and this was an excellent choice for the 1001 site to offer. Classic with a capitol C, this album is a wonderful gift. I got to spend a bit of this day with my headphones playing great country music, just like my dad.

The perfect album for the day.

A gift from beyond...and a wonderful classic country sound.

This album is a country gem and was much appreciated today.

Pretty good

It only felt very good, not essential.

Je m’attendais pas a un album country mais j’aime bien le style. C’est plaisnant de decouvrir un artiste comme cela. A reecouter. 4*

One for one what you would expect a country album to sound like and themed after, enjoyed it despite the genre

very good country

Hi: All of Me Belongs To You, Skid Row, Mixed Up Mess of a Heart If you're tired of Johnny Cash outlaw country, get into so MERLE, you won't be disappointed. I don't think country gets better than this.

Original country. Merle haggard was kinda cute when he was young

I'm not a huge fan of old country but this has some quality tracks.

Great songs. Four chords and the truth!

I dig this!

A lot more fun than I expected! I started listening to some of his other stuff, Love Affair With Trains is such a vibe

Pretty good country. I like the voice.

Die goede old school country hype. love it. geeft me zin om the ranch opnieuw te kijken. Stardew valley hype

Really good timeless stuff.

This style of country is always such a vibe, and few vibe with it better than Merle.

Outlaw country is my jam. Really liked this one

The old country lives

8/10. Some enjoyable old fashioned country music. I liked that that the songs never really dragged on too much, and thought this was a good length overall.

7/10 pretty good country songs with a nice vocal performance. the first song and the last song were easily the best, and unfortunately nothing else lived up

Somone who knows their genre and excels in it.

Gloriously simple old country.

I quite enjoyed this. Hadn’t heard it before, but was what I expected from a Merle Haggard album, in a good way. Am not averse to a bit of country, but I tend to err on the Johnny Cash / rockabilly side, generally. Some great country titles and lyrics here though, and I particularly enjoyed Drink Up and Be Somebody.

Mon péché cute

gott stuff

Aquele episódio do Bob Esponja q a Sandy fica cantando que quer voltar pro Texas 3,5

Bless you, Merle. This record is... *Scott Hall high pitch inflection* TOO SWEEEEEEEET! Merle's vocals are like marmalade.

MERLE!

Old timey country in the best of ways. 4.5

Really enjoyed this, surprisingly so considering I know nothing about traditional country music. Will explore more!

4/5. Classic country trope, but done well by one of the greats 👍

Yes.

yes mama!!! I love a 60s cowboy

Love me some bittersweet Bakersfield-style country. This is a classic country album, with Haggard in perfect voice. Musically, the Strangers are really tight, with some exceptional guitar work. Fave Songs: Drink Up and Be Somebody, Mixed Up Mess of a Heart, All of Me Belongs to You, Someone Told My Story, My Rough and Rowdy Ways

I would call it a classic of the genre.

An entirely unexpected treat. A few country albums have already popped up on my list and so far, whatever the reputation, I've not gelled with them. This however, lean and spare, is a great listen. Most songs a little over 2 minutes, very few ballads, almost punktry.

swinging!

I prefer the Nashville style over the the Las Vegas style of country music any day. Merle is all Nashville.

Good support for my theory that the best of any genre is probably pretty good.

Clive turned me onto Merle Haggard during one of our many "nothing to do during covid, let's get drunk" sessions. He knew all about this stuff where I only knew of Johnny Cash - Merle Haggard, Hank Williams (multiple), etc etc. He'd gotten into it through his parents so he had knowledge of all this almost-forgotten country from an earlier age. In any case, the lyrics could use some work but the music itself is fantastic. 4/5.

I liked this - a ‘proper’ bit of country with all the cheatin’ fightin’ and lovin’ you could ask for.

Sad cowboy jams

Man, I really hate Country Music, But this album is just great. You know how fast food chains use bright oranges and yellows in their dining areas to subconsciously push you out of the restaurant when you're done eating? I think the two words 'Merle' and 'Haggard' do something to my subconscious and make me rank this album higher than I normally would. Here is how my brain interprets those two words: MERLE = super old, wrinkly, rural, complacent and full of hard-earned life lessons. HAGGARD = downtrodden and full of despair. I think the description of those two words fit this album. I mean, if his name was '(The)Getup Kids' I would hate this album. Well, anything named 'Get Up Kids' I would hate. I think it's just the simplicity, tempo and sweet pipes of ole Merle that gets to me and makes it work. Lonesome Fugitive makes me feel like I lifted a rock and found something interesting that I'll forget about in an hour.

I love Merle Haggard so much. Here he is at the peak of his powers. Bakersfield at its best.

just looking at the cover i expect road trip country vibes... and i was right! this is just the willies roadhouse radio station in my grandpas truck driving to town from the cabin. the vibes are immaculate, album added 👍

The good stuff

This country man sure has some good yarns about going to prison and such. I'm a sucker for this exact country sound (and very few other country sounds)

Yes! Love this!

Classic Merle

Music to hop a train and roam the Midwest to. Before he was defined by “Okie from Muskogee,” Merle Haggard and his band spun country gold out of this set of melancholy tunes.

Legacy country music here. Sad, sweet, strong, and poignant, sometimes all at the same time. There is something (genuine?) about this one that made me feel connected to the music. Good stuff.

4.5 I’ll always be the first to admit that my distaste for country music is mostly due to my own ignorance about the genre. I have really only ever found one country artist that I truly enjoy (Johnny Cash). Otherwise there are a few singles here and there that I like, mostly from Fallout: New Vegas, but I never bothered to discover more country. That’s where this list comes in handy because in the case of “I’m a Lonely Fugitive” I think it’s fair to say I had a great time listening. The subject matter is quite melancholy and I think I only heard one John Deere reference. Surprisingly, I liked Merle’s voice and the guitar work was really intricate and well done. There were times I felt like this is the emo of country with lyrics like “My life will be a burden every day, if I could die my pain might go away” sounding like they were ripped straight out of Devil and God or The Black Parade. I liked just about everything about this album. Favorites: I’m a Lonesome Fugitive, House of Memories, Life in Prison, Someone Told My Story, Mary’s Mine, Skid Row, Mixed Up Mess of a Heart

7/10 fun country music but nothing special makes me wanna go fishing from the back of a pickup truck or some shit haha