I’m a Lonesome Fugitive

Good old school country music

You'll be impressed at how well a man can sing the same song 15 different ways

Meh. Every song is about being on the run and then being saved by a girl. Standard country tunes, nothing special.

Reasonably well done but not quite my thing. Still country. 2.7

He may have called himself a lonesome fugitive but Merle Haggard had become a soon-to-be beloved pillar of country and this solid collection of songs does little to not reinforce that fact. Building off the hard life lived, Merle and his Strangers provides the kind of songs that could not only speak on that experience but it would help give a voice to many others, a vocation he'd be proficient at for years to come. Favorites: I'm a Lonesome Fugitive, All of Me Belongs to You, House of Memories, Life in Prison, Someone Told My Story, Skid Row, My Rough and Rowdy Ways, Mixed Up Mess of a Heart.

It’s like if the first few seconds of the beatles song ‘rocky raccoon’ were stretched out to half hour

Good album, country music was good in the past.

These are some of the most stereotypical country songs I've ever heard. It's simple, very easy to listen to and short. Not something I'd want to listen to all the time though.

It’s old school classic country music. Not particularly my jam but definitely deserves to be on the list as representative of the genre.

Southern country ish music from the 2000s trying to replicate the sound of the decades before. Not my thing at all, but I guess the execution is OK.

Nice little country album here. I like other Merle Haggard songs that I've heard and are more popular, so it was nice listening to an entire album. 3.4/5

Don't think I've listened to a Merle Haggard album. This was pretty good. 3.25/5

about what I would expect-old school country. good storytelling, & vocals

All I could think of is how contemporary country music sucks in comparison.

Meh

some iconic sounds on here

This was fine. There was a pleasant lack of wife beating, which has been rare on the country records on this list. I wouldn't listen to it again, but I didn't mind it.

This is some of the most country that country can be. It's not bad for what it is, but it's not more than what it is either. A man with a guitar, singing about the criminal cowboy life, add a backing band, that's it.

zwei bis drei

Manly country take on regret and longing. Really enjoyed but not really my usual cup of tea.

An enjoyable country record. While it’s a great example of pre-“bro country” Nashville sound, it doesn’t carry the same umph to me as Waylon or Willie or Johnny’s classic records.

A perfectly amiable classic country voice and album. Wasn’t particularly moved nor turned off, so just gets an average rating from me.

I must admit, my knowledge of Merle Haggard is rather limited to a few singles, namely "Mama Tried" and "Okie from Muskogee". I understand that he was one of the more prolific outlaw country singer-songwriters, and thus, his pedigree would justify an inclusion from his time with backing band The Strangers. Not to mention, this album's title track was Merle's first number-one single, which means it has historical significance. I wish the rest of the record made for a complete experience. Let me put it this way - I did enjoy half of the songs off I'm a Lonesome Fugitive. Merle did rather well delving into the darker, lonesome nature of the outlaw lifestyle, supported by the intricate guitar play and necessary pickup from the backing personnel. The opening title track sets the stage for the rambling life on the road, the desire for death after taking away his darling's life on "Life in Prison", the rampant alcoholism to pretend to be someone he's not on "Drink Up and Be Somebody", the unfortunate lifestyle of being homeless on "Skid Row", the torn emotions on display as his lover leaves town on the midnight train in "Mixed Up Mess of a Heart", these songs help give depth into the multiple facets of going down such a path. It was a rather smart choice for him to cover Jimmie Rodgers's "My Rough and Rowdy Ways", as even those lyrics of drinking and gambling add to the tumultuous characterization. As for the other half of this album, they tend to fall into slow, plodding relationship songs. Aside from the aforementioned "Mixed Up Mess of a Heart" and "If You Want to Be My Woman", the rest sounded rote. Not terrible, but not very distinct, and they don't add much to the outlaw character vibe with other songs on this record. All of this to say that I'm a Lonesome Fugitive left me with mixed feelings. It's a fine enough country record to put on. It does feel like this record was chosen out of historical significance. I'm cherry-picking my favorites and going from there.

I like Nelson better. A little slow to get to the action.

Pure country. Strong, clear vocals. Clean guitar, sounds beguilingly simple. Tragic themes but still somehow positive.

Solid country album but nothing that blew my mind.

Merle just calmly and sweetly singing about some heavy topics. Not a country fan, but the man is a good musician

Bog standard country 5/10

Musically, I don't really like this type of country. The instrumentation and the simplistic nature of the arrangements doesn't hold my interest. But this was better than most due to the fact the lyrics were interesting - I could see how the imagery would totally appeal to a 50s audience. Not one I'll come back to, but worth 3 as a good example of the genre and historically important.

I've learned to appreciate Merle thanks to my bff Chris Sullivan, who says the man is quite the lyricist!! While not my genre, I am grateful and happy to listen to talented musicians, even if it's country : )

Too twangy for me although the songs are well written, great voice, typical great country story telling.

Merle, Johnny...they nail the flawed, down-and-out, vibe of the past. Part lonely, definitely let down, all around salty.

A solid entry in a vast catalog that covers 6 decades. Closer to Bakersfield here than in his 70s output. Sturdy of not quite great.

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.

Relaxing, somber, old fashioned country music is the core sound of "I'm a Lonesome Fugitive". The album was well written and sounded great.

Started off with a great song and great promise, but the rest of the songs didn’t follow through. Good guitar and good voice

Sounds a bit like Hank Williams. Album is from 1967. Sounds like classic old country. I’d like to hear some of his more contemporary stuff.

Had no idea this guy was actually on the run at one point. That backstory definitely adds weight, even if the songs didn’t fully grip me. Like old-school country before it got polished up. Not much grit for a fugitive, but it still flows real smooth. Felt more like a man trying to stay out of trouble than someone causing it. Which… makes sense, I guess. Spins: 2 Playlist Additions: - I'm A Lonesome Fugitive - House Of Memories - Drink Up And Be Somebody

There is something very homey and comforting about this music on the surface. It embodies the rural, agrarian lifestyle of days gone by. But as I really listen it sort of gets under my skin. Yeah she left you and you can mope about it but what did you do to her. For example, Whatever Happened to Me, at first it seemed sad and heartbreaking, but then I thought, but what did you do for her, why did she not want to stay? I don't know....I give it a 3 for the time frame, but would really like Merle to do a little self-reflecting but doubt he ever will.

This is some easy listening old timey country. It's the kind of music you can eat biscuits and gravy to. My favorites were Drink Up and Be Somebody, If You Want to Be My Woman, and Mixed Up Mess of a Heart.

Modern Country music is pure SHIT. Yes, that is intentionally all caps to drive the point home. I’ve got nothing good to say about it, and when I’m forced to listen to it, I’d literally rather be eating paint just for fun. It is by far the WORST genre of music that exists, and it can’t disappear soon enough. But CLASSIC 1960’s Country is pure gold. Simple, heartfelt, universal to EVERYONE (compared to today’s mostly white male hetero-normative evangelical nationalistic bullshit). Merle peppers his songs about love, heartaches, yearning and loss with heart. He sounds like most Country stars from that time but there is such a great feeling of calm and security in them. While there are songs on here that drag, I can still appreciate their vibe.

I was a little confused on my first listen. It felt like it was missing an "edge" of some sort, despite the fugitive theme, and the lyrics didn't seem to go with who I assumed Merle Haggard to be. Turns out, they go EXACTLY with who Merle Haggard happened to be. He was IN San Quentin (as a prisoner!) when Johnny Cash was there singing Folsom Prison Blues. So yeah, this was pretty legit lol. That being said, I didn't feel like I fully connected with any of the songs, though I like his voice and the country sounds of yesteryear. It was still a super pleasant listen and props to him for evolving from a convict to an icon.

Of one those rare cases where an old country artist ACTUALLY served time in prison. Not that this specific record is considered "outlaw" country in my eyes, but the first track "I'm a Lonesome Fugitive" hits a little different in that case. The rest is comfy and quality, old country, complete with your usual steel guitar and themes of heartbreak.

Favorites: Drink up and be somebody, mixed up mess of a heart Solid. Nothing too special, imo

Belle voix, textes et musique exemplaires du country

The kind of country I can bear to listen to.

If we were to blast a country album into space to show the aliens what it's like, this would be a fine choice. The guitar playing makes this album stand out, even when the songwriting doesn't.

Merle is a legend, just nothing too special to me here.

⭐️⭐️⭐️/5. Old country really is best country. So much soul and grit in every song.

Fun little country Bakersfield album. twangy Telecaster, clipped drums, and sharp, clean arrangements that focus on Haggard’s voice. The album themes lasso through prison, freedom, regret, and rootlessness. Songs like Life in Prison and House of Memories showcase his ability to turn personal pain into home truths. His delivery is restrained but emotional. A sparse, honest, and magnetic debut. I’m a Lonesome Fugitive makes Merle Haggard feel less like a country singer and more like a man you overhear telling his life story in a truck stop at 3 a.m. Essential listening for fans of outlaw country, prison poetry, and heartache that doesn't beg for pity.

This isn't my usual style of music, but I did enjoy parts of it - mainly the title track and the last two. A lot of the in between was a bit too repetitive for me lyrics-wise. Too many of the same clichés about being screwed over by some woman or another. Also a bit too much talk of women like they were property, but I guess it was the 60s after all. Bumping this from a 2 star to a 3 to help counter the Neanderthals who just give an automatic 1 to all country albums. One thing I did to amuse myself while listening was to re-imagine the lyrics as gangsta rap songs. It's funny how similar a lot of the themes are - worked particularly well for the title track and Skid Row!

I wanted to to like this more than I did but I also didn't not like it

I thought this was gonna be awful, but it was ok (once I'd found the right album - who has more than one album called the same thing??). Some of it was pretty bluesy, which was nice. I can't reconcile the "hard man" ex con lyrics with the sound of those tracks though. My rough and rowdy ways sounded like a nursery rhyme. It's probably a 2.5/5, but I'll be nice today and go 3.

Solid old-school country, but nothing outstanding.

yee haw

I’m not typically a country fan, but every time I hear Merle, I question how true that statement is.

Quite pleasant and not bad for doing work. But I feel like this is no different from so many other albums on this list.

5/10 - I feel like the old timey country music all feels the same to me and the only reason they are getting lower and lower ratings is because I’ve heard a lot of it now.

Decent country. Nothing special

country soft e carino

Blackman had the blues Whiteman had country Guess who got the raw deal

Super chill and easy on the ears and mind. It's albums like this that make me appreciate country music. Smooth voice, cool and easy-going music, absolutely groovy. Great record.

Gorgeous voice

3.5

Ok but a bit samey

Good ol’ country music the way it should be sung and played. Sometimes a bit slidey and twangy but overall Merle’s got a classic country voice.

This is the only kind of country / western music that I enjoy

Cliche in a good way

EEPY

I hated this less than I thought I would!

Its aight

Old

3/5

Not my style but appreciate the artist

3.33

This is just about what I'd expect from a country album.

i like the bit where he begs for death

-this is definitely country music. not much more I can say… I honestly didn’t hate it, not at all. some of the songs were absolutely beautiful -at the same time, very little of it stood out to me personally. I’m glad this project has given me a better appreciation of country music though, it’s good that I was able to enjoy this -Favorites are If You Want To Be My Woman and Skid Row

Good listen.

I liked the vibe.

I like me some country, currently writing my bachelor thesis about western and women so this one goes into the PLAYLIST

Some good songs, but too early for Merle to really be Merle. When the put all the songs on the front it’s a collection of singles, not an album.

Solid classic country music. Not sure if it belongs on a list of required listening before you die, but it was a nice glimpse back in time before country music became the awful country pop that took over in the 90s

3/5

3.5

Feel like I’ve heard this album hundreds of times before. Usually it’s better, though to be fair it is often worse. Can’t conceptualise why anybody thought this was special.

Classic archetypal foot-tapping hummable American country, enjoyed this a lot.

I had heard a little bit of Merle Haggard over the years, but this is the first time that I’ve really listened to him. This is just good old fashioned country music, and for me it was enjoyable and pleasant to listen to. But it didn’t really grab me either. Another 3 star record for me.

Still not a big country fan but I enjoy listening to it more now. Maybe I get used to it.

Enjoyable, simple country. Enjoyed it

Pretty interesting country album, I'll say. Good change in songs, as each sound fairly different. high 3 stars

Listenable.

Even more honkeytonked

3.5

3.5

3.5

If I had to think of a reason why this one was included over *Mama Tried*, I would have to say is that this was the beginning of Merle Haggard's run of hits starting with the title track. But I don't think this album as a whole really states who Merle Haggard is. I listened to the *Mama Tried* album shortly after listening to this one and that is truly the sound of Merle Haggard country fans know and love. At least it's more of what I think of when he's namedropped. As for the album *I'm a Lonesome Fugitive*, it's good but I think it is comparatively a pretty bland album. Parts of me wants to give it a 3½ because, let's face it it's Merle and it is kind of the beginning of his fame. But I'm going to keep it at a pretty high 3-star album, because ultimately I don't think it feels like a 3½. (6.95) ★★★

Nice album in the Bakersfield country style. 3.5 stars

Thought this album was just alright. I don't think Haggard had really come into his own as a writer yet, as the best songs on the album are the ones he didn't write. The title track is good as are the last few songs. 3 stars.

Standout tracks are: "House of Memories", "Life in Prison", and "Skid Row".

Classic country... again

Lonesome furtive

Not terrible but not really my cup.of tea.

surprisingly nice

Not my bag but OK.

I'm aware that I like this kind of music because of my heritage. But taste is always valid. But not a huge fan of the crooooning

Just some rootin’ n some tootin’

im a lonesome fugitive- 5 all of me belongs to you- 5 house of memories- 5 life in prison- 5 whatever happened to me- 5 drink up and be somebody- 5 someone told my story- 5 if you want to be my woman- 5 Mary's mine- 5 skid row- 5 my rough and rowdy ways- 5 mixed up mess of a heart- 5

Foundational album but not start to finish listening for me.

I never could get into Merle. He’s OK, but probably not even in my top 10 country musicians. I don’t know what it is. Anywho. This was fine.

I've had a good time with this one. Getting into country, I was interested about Merle Haggard. He has a very good classic voice and good presence in the tunes. The sound here is straight up country, in a good sense. Played and sung very well. Good song. Would go back to it. Ps. Great selection lately from the generator.

Nimikkobiisi ei omissa korvissani nouse muiden yläpuolelle, mutta levy tuottaa kokonaisuudessaan niin tasaista nautintoa, että kuka tahansa yllättyisi. Biisit erottuvat toisistaan, ja useimmissa niistä on "punchline", joka tekee tavanomaisesta kuulemisen arvoista. Ok: kappaleet OVAT aika tavanomaisia. Laitoin levyn silti välittömästi soimaan uudelleen. 3,5

That's some pretty good country

Good old school country. I don't possess the musical vocabulary to express why I like this, but its good.

What do we have today? Another country album? Alright, here we go. As I've said previously, country just isn't my genre, no matter how hard the generator tries. What I will say is that not all country is the same. While I really don't enjoy honky tonk and the Nashville sound, some Bakersfield and outlaw country has been better. Some of it is excellent. Merle Haggard leans on that side for me. He was a prisoner at San Quentin when Johnny Cash gave his famous performance there and he has ties to (the not terrible, in my opinion) Buck Owens. It's kind of interesting in that Haggard really was a convict and could use that image to sell records, a clear one up on Cash. And the music is ok. But it's no Johnny Cash and not one that I'd likely return to.

a couple of great songs - I'm a Lonesome Fugitive, My Rough & Rowdy Wats - but several pretty ordinary ones.

Gotta love some classic country.

Well yeehaw golly gosh darn it diggity woo!

O country sempre me cativou muito mais do que o sertanejo brasileiro

Straight-up country. Lots of longing.

Kedvenc/Favourite: Skid Row Egyáltalán nem volt rossz, érezhetően nagy zenetörténeti jelentőségű. Nekem kicsit talán túl tisztán country, kellene még bele valami kis csavar, hogy igazán megszeressem. Élvezhető volt, de nem hiszem, hogy sűrűn visszatérek majd hozzá. It wasn't bad at all, it's clearly an important piece of musical history. For me it was a little too pure country, I would have needed some twist to really like it. It was enjoyable, but I don't think I'll come back to it often.

Not my type of music but it seems like it’s probably a great road trip soundtrack

Good classic country. From the time when musicians like this told stories. It's not my favorite genre, but certainly wouldn't turn it off if it came on.

Varsin hyvä kantrilevy. 3/5

I can appreciate some good, old-fashioned country like this, although I rarely get excited for it. But what I like the most about classic country is the focus on strong, simple songwriting. The songs are usually pretty short, they have a clear perspective and some nice imagery. This Merle Haggard album has all of that. “Someone Told My Story” was a highlight. It's a fun, self-aware song about songwriting. And the upbeat rock n roll of “If You Want to Be My Woman” was a pleasant surprise too.

Beautiful country twang album. I think Merle is one of my brother's top 5 artists so I've heard a lot of his tunes but rarely have I sunk into a record. This is a solid one- gotta get the brother perspective though on where this lands in the rankings. For me it's a solid 3.

I'm a Lonesome Fugitive is a very middle of the road album, even in it's own genre. It's an album that's not bad but also not great. The music, lyrics, and vocals are serviceable but not very interesting and are pretty much what you would expect from an album like this. There were a few tracks that were better than others but i don't think they were better enough to make a really huge difference. The album is pretty short and does not feel like it is making jarring transitions which are both points in it's favor. This album isn't a bad one but i still think you can do better. Best Song: If You Want To Be My Woman Worst Song: Skid Row

He's a good lyricist. I'm less into the music, but it's not bad. I could see this one growing on me.

Really falls off towards the end but some solid genre staple stuff for most of it

Less fun for the lack of "Mama Tried" on here but still good.

I have a love-hate relationship with steel guitar. Funnily enough, I enjoyed every other song on the record. The rest of it didn't do much for me. I guess this specific kind of country (the older country that people tell you to listen to if you 'don't like country') isn't always for me.

He’s a force with his outlaw country quintessence. By the end of the album you’re a little besieged by the heart brokenness, hard luckedness, lost long lovedness. But you’re not to sad about it.

Musically good, but damn the man is an american tool. Must be a psy op.

I enjoyed the steel guitar work. This album was easy to listen to and if I was in a small town dive bar I think it would fit perfectly. But nothing here makes me want to queue it up again anytime soon.

So so

Classic country, with some faster songs showcasing honky-tonk done right and some even bordering on bluegrass. There are no attempts to push musical boundaries or to venture into experimental songwriting. This is so middle of the road, I'd say it actually defines the road; all other music veers to one side or another, but as far as song structure, chord choice and movement, and vocal harmonization, this exemplifies the standard. Merle Haggard didn't define the standards, but he makes no effort to stray from it at all. At all. Having said that, it's not bad; it's just predictable, easy-listening music for the masses. If no one kept to the standard, would there be any standard? Any litmus test needs to define its 7 by which to measure deviation. I do prefer the classic country to the post-Garth-Brooks, soft-rock-with-a-twang bastardization of the modern incarnation. This is an honorable mention in music, but I wouldn't give it more accolades than that. Middle of the road = middle of the star rating. A solid 3.

Props to Merle for writing his own songs. He's an outlaw country guy, and sure enough the songs are about prison and such, but compared to some of the others I've heard in this genre, something about these songs are really clean, the arrangements are kind of predictable and perfectly executed, like songs from an old Disney film. It comes off incongruous and a bit hokey given the subjects of the songs. I think a lot of it is due to the simple bass lines (boomp..bomp..boomp..bomp), but I guess that was typical of honkey tonk in the 60s. The songs here get in and get out, though, so that's a plus.

I’m certain many people would agree that Merle Haggard was a very important figure in country music. I don’t have any personal experience with him, but I am able to recognize the historical impact of his music. Much like someone such as Johnny Cash, Haggard represented the Everyman. Someone who spoke for the average person. This came out during the late 60s, where true rock stardom started to become more common because of bands like The Beatles or The Rolling Stones. People were becoming fanatics, much like we know in modern times. And the gap between musician and fan was becoming even bigger. This is sort of what country, or even folk music has always represented. A more intimate and realistic connection with the music and the artist. But even this intimacy doesn’t last forever, as seen with Bob Dylan. And his fame is what pushed him to pursue electric music. This album sits somewhere in-between the worlds of traditional popular folk music and the growing electric movement at the time. But really it’s a very classic 60s sounding country album. I generally believe the further back you go with country, the better it is. But I can only go back so far before it starts to have the same issues as similar rock & roll music from the same time period. I just don’t enjoy it very much, and it’s not my personal taste. There are some good songs on this, but most of it sounds very similar, and it only benefits from being so short. Rating: 5/10

Mama used to pray my crops would fail

First time listen via streaming

This benefited from a week in which I had another pioneer of the Bakersfield sound and this is much more the superior work. Not a country fan by any means but this had enough tempo and crossover to be a good listen.

When I was in junior high my friends and I decided there was nothing much funnier than saying to each other, “You look like you listen to Merle Haggard!”

Not a country fan by any stretch, but I didn't mind this at all.

I love old country and I like Merle but this one just ain't it for me. Production sounds a little too polished and the songs aren't anything too special. Still true outlaw country BUT he is from Cali and I think that's the problem here.

Hard to beat Merle, but Ralph Mooney steals the show

heard this was crime album and was hoping it would be the 1960s white people equivalent to drill music. im sorrowfully disappointed to say its not really like that pretty whatever, but some songs are crazy tho. on the track life in prison he wishes for death and it lowkey caught be off guard. country music is crazy sometimes

Pretty good old country.

I mean- it’s good if you are into country. But this ain’t it for me.

I’m not a big fan of country but this isn’t horrible. Most of it sounds the same.

Nostalgic - this is the type of country music I grew up on and while it's enjoyable to revisit, not the type of music I enjoy as an adult.

6/10 Straight down the line country music, done well. Excellent voice, able to tell a story very well Nice production, simple stuff that sets a backdrop Didn’t necessarily set my heart racing Best: Whatever Happened To Me

Country and Western

Imagine “old country music.” Got it? Great! Now you know what I’m a Lonesome Fugitive sounds like. Is it bad? Not really, no. In fact, some of it is pretty fun, proto-outlaw, even! But most of it is cliché as hell, and if it is one of the progenitors, it’s still an absolute chore to get through. Its best moments are the barn burners, and its worst moments are the ballads. Unfortunately, the highs are still pretty mid, and the lows are pretty exhausting. I also feel like 12 tracks is a lot of this type of material. None of this is bad, but it’s very stylistically-specific, and if you’re not fully into old-school country music, this isn’t going to change your mind. Also, from my understanding, this is a horrible record to represent Haggard’s legacy, so that might be an issue, too. I’m not mad that I had to listen to this, but maybe there’s something better out there to scratch the same itch. Unfortunately, I will probably forget the majority of this record by next week.

The lyrics definitely got my attention. Very focused, sad album.

Lidt kedeligt

The first song had a very twangy and interesting guitar solo, I will say that. Some of the... phrasing in the songs was a bit weird. Particularly "House Of Memories," where he sang "My house is a prisonnnnnnnnnn". Still, I enjoyed it as a classic country album, it did define the sound pretty well. I don't know if I will come back to it, but I appreciated it. Top tracks: "All Of Me Belongs To You", "Whatever Happened To Me," "Mixed Up Mess Of A Heart"

I like classic country artists more than pop country artists and Merle Haggard is definitely classic country. His voice almost sounds like Buck Owens at times and his sound is guitar-first yet stripped down. I liked this album but not as much as other classic artists. He's got some clever, sardonic, and/or ironic lyrics and I particularly got a kick out of the title track, House of Memories, Life in Prison, Drink Up and Be Somebody (my favorite), If You Want to Be My Woman, and Mixed Up Mess of a Heart. I'm just not sure I'm coming back to listen to more of Merle.

Typical old school country twang- good for what it is but not really my style

Perfect outlaw country record.

It's fine.

not my genre

Overall: 6/10 This is a pretty solid country album, and it's very close to being the best country album I've gotten so far. Merle had a wonderful voice and a great band backing him up. I could see myself putting this on during my next playthroughs of Red Dead Redemption 2 or Fallout: New Vegas. Fav Song: Drink Up and Be Somebody Least Fav Song: Mary's Mine

Prima album maar vind het ook moeilijk te plaatsen in het algehele genre. Niks springt eruit maar qua vibes gewoon chill.

Mwa ja zoals gezegd klinkt het gewoon als vrij standaard maar wel chille country. Heb niet lang genoeg met het album gehad om er meer uit te halen, might revisit sometime maar nooit zo'n haast met country.

Love that classic country sound

Classic old school country with Merle.

That’s some country music all right

Merle sounds the same here in 1967 as his last album... wow. Sad and lonely lyrics, as if he's a fugitive...

My measurements for a good country song is whether it would sound good covered by Me First and the Gimme Gimmes. Not many of these would. It isn’t a bad album in itself, but it gets quite monotonous in spite of its short running time. I liked Drink Up and Be Somebody, though. More of those kind of harmonies!

music is decent enough, id prefer more outlaw than country… but you gotta give it up to merle keepin it short n sweet

Classic country isn't that bad tbh

not his best, but definitely a good one in the catalog.

I knew the name Merle Haggard but hadn’t listened to any of his music. Classic country that’s stood the test of time

Country isn’t a genre that I gravitate towards and I guess this album, not really knowing that much about country music is OK. It’s not something that would get another listen, not because it’s bad more so I’d rather listen to something else.

Great voice and good performances but the songs don't pull me in. Let me be clear that these songs are vastly superior to modern country pop songs that try to do what these songs do. I just don't get any kind of feeling when I hear them. "Someone Told My Story" is my favorite of the collection.

A solid effort from one of the doyens of the country scene. Familiar themes of love and loss and the American Way are all present and correct.

It was okay

2.5/5. Pretty simple, not bad. Given the other albums in this genre, I don't think this one sticks out.

Expected this to be a 2, maybe a 1. Wasn’t that bad. Go Merle.

Classic Nashville! This has interesting song writing, but it's like a musical dinosaur with how poorly that old twang has aged. Even modern country has moved on from this sound.

Enjoyable album all-round

I respect the music, but the twanging country is not for me.

I was a bit surprised that I liked this as much as I did. I like the steel guitar and Merle's got a good voice, IMO. Some of the lyrics were clunky, though. But it was short, which probably helped. Oddly enough, I think I'm getting a bit more country in my old age. Just not modern country. That's still the worst.

"Good old" country sound - not my taste in music, but listenable

While a bit of "outlaw" country seems just another marketing trick, this has a certain realism to it that is immediately present. Everything is up front, the tropes fresh, the guitar new, no dogs; trains, yes, but I can't recall any trucks. A line like "fingers claw the darkness in my dream" is more poetry than typical country.

Toe-tapping-tastic!

Music is amazing if you think about it—similar instruments and basically the same language construct (notes, scales, tone) yet the vast differences that come from the human mind to make sounds are endless. This is where my mind went while listening to Merle Haggard.

Beautiful voice, good lyrics, okay music. I'm not a huge Country fan, but overall a good album.

T w a n g

This left Little impression on me I'm afraid to say. Not much to think or feel about it

the OG country ballad

This was a proper country sort of album. I don’t love country music but I could imagine myself driving into the sunset with a piece of grass in my mouth and my cowboy hat resting on my lap whilst listening to this at full volume. Aside from me living my cowboy dreams vicariously through this album, I thought the guitar was so cool on tracks like Life In Prison and Skid Row. It just sounded so authentic and gritty when paired with the laid back vocals. Overall better than I thought.

Interesting selection to represent the minimal country on this list. I'm not a big country music buff, so this one is new to me - hearing some folk, Rockabilly and quasi-classic rock shows how similar the lanes on some genres can run. 3.5/5

Album 507 of 1001 Merle Haggard - I’m a Lonesome Fugitive Rating : 3.5 / 5 Another old country album comes my way. I do like this period of country music. It is what how I was introduced to country, so it is appreciated. A decent album but got tired of the continuous "woe is me" whining. I get it...it is the genre....just not a favorite.

Solid Cracker Barrel music. 2.5 stars.

I’ll take classic country over that modern pop country garbage any day. Still not my favorite genre, but it has its place.

i found this pretty charming. great album cover too

Average

Country

Great earlier country. Much imitated voice.

Countrytastic

Netter Country.

I enjoyed it more than I thought I would. I went out with my dog, sat with her on a bench in our local park and put this on on my headphones and it was a pretty nice moment. I have never really listened to anything country and I definitely enjoy the cowboy/Wild West stylistic so that was a nice listen. Merle has a great, charismatic voice! I think I might give it a couple more spins in the future, let's go with 3.5/5

Favourite song - Someone told my story

Another album where the "related songs" that played on Spotify after it finished were more interesting than the album itself. Nothing against ol' Merle or anything, but there's more interesting honky tonk music out there -- some of which was on the old K-Tel "Keep on Truckin'" album. Still, it's fine and good to get another genre after all that damned crooning. Unexpected bangers: Drink Up and Be Somebody, My Rough and Rowdy Ways.

That sure is a country album.

This was some fine old-school outlaw country. Not much more to really say. Solid high 3 / 5.

One of those albums that are just a solid 3. I feel like a lot of these older country albums are just good music, but that's about it. Happy it wasn't any longer than ~30 mins.

I liked the title track but then it kinda fell off for me and was too samey. Fave Tracks: I'm a Lonesome Fugitive 2.9/5

Merle was a name I always associated with country and that is a genre I typically avoid, however this is more in the lane of a Johnny Cash on some songs. That kind of country I can take and probably need to investigate more of. Another unexpected name that came to mind while listening to this is Ice Cube. All of the prison related songs are the same kind of theatrics that Cube has. Obviously Merle isn't getting life in prison or on the run as a fugitive, so I don't really know what to make of the obvious lack of authenticity for those songs. If I turn my literal/logical side of brain off it becomes a decent listen with a couple songs to that may make a country type playlist of the songs I actually like from the genre. Favorite track "I'm a lonesome fugitive" 3/5

Pretty good storytelling and voice. Not my all time favorite country though.

Yeah, not bad. Not my favourite

A comfortable country/folk feeling, I liked it mostly (Drink up and be somebody was probably the least enjoyable).

A solid country cowboy album with classical motifs. It's what you think of when you hear the genre country. To me, it's solid, but I'm a lot more a fan of the alternative country that was more self-aware and questioned itself.

I'm not a country music fan and was apprehensive when this appeared. But it's not the worst country I've had so far. The traditional nature of this is what gives it a pass. If I needed to play an alien an album to explain country music it would be this and I didn't hate it. But it's also twee, musically infantile and spectacularly dated in the most.

i’m not a country gal (though i did grow up in the south), but this was an enjoyable listen

This album follows the general rule that good country music wallows in self-pity about problems that are completely the narrator's fault. A real un-self aware sad sack piece of shit is what you want, and Merle gives it to you here. The title track is a standout, as is "Drink Up and Be Somebody." The chorus of "Life in Prison" is bleak enough to fit a black metal song. Great stuff all around.

Saddle up cowboy! Honestly, I could imagine listening to this in a dive bar on the outskirts of Las Vegas and enjoying myself. It's a vibe. -JMW

Country is not my favorite genre, but this older stuff has its charm. Here, Merle sounds very similar to Buck Owens on the Tiger By the Tail album I rated a while back. To me, it seems pretty standard for its time, but I'm sure it's more of a standout for country music fans. Favorite track: Someone Told My Story (but many of the songs sounded similar)

Liked a couple of old standards but otherwise I’m not sure why this album is on the list.

This is usually my thing, but I didn't love THIS thing. Thus 3.

Good old fashioned country from an actual criminal like it should be.

These are nice songs and I dig his voice

That’s the good thing about this project. Discovering completely uncharted territory…

Another good example of "the Nashville Sound"; the engineering is so rich and clean - I'm not sure any recordings sound better - and the musicianship is absolutely top-notch. The problem is always that Chet's insistence on consistency and perfection produced a whole lot of almost fungible tracks. None of these songs grab me like Merle's Swingin' Doors or the Bottle Let Me Down.

This was okay. A little slow for me but good.

I do like that he actually has lived a life about the songs in which he writes. One of the things that really bugs me about many of the suburban country writers of today.

Let's chalk that up. More country than Beyonce's new album for sure.

So country it makes my toes twang.

It’s decent. I confuse him with Waylon Jennings but Jennings has more teeth that sink in to your attention. All in all, just ok.

Yep. That's 60's country.

eigentlich ganz cute

Not dreadful

Low key a great listen

Twangy.

short and sweet. listened 3x. for country, not bad. 3.3/5

This album wasn't bad. Some of the tracks are corny and some a bit out-of-touch, but a pleasant enough listen. 3/5.

I really enjoyed the first song. Then I enjoyed the very similar sounding second song. Then I listened to the entire album and realized it was basically one song, done 12 different ways. I imagine this was the ‘country pop’ of the 60’s. Not bad, but definitely not great.

All classic country is basically just emo music for people in the bible belt. Every song is 'my woman just left me', or 'I miss my ex', or maybe even a little 'I killed my woman and now i'm sad about it'. I should listen to stuff like this when i'm on a downer, it would probably go over well. "If i could die my pain might go away", jesus man, it's gonna be ok.

Nice. San Andreas vibe.

Really nice country album.

It might be country, but at least it's not cuntry. Classic western shit.

Not my cup of soup but I appreciate the songwriting

Good ol' Hollywood country. Nothing too distinctive, but an extra point for the Wrecking Crew

favourite song: skid row people who completely write off country as a genre are absolute losers imo

While I can dig Merle Haggard, this was earlier in his career, and a little too rustic for my taste.

Pas mal, un peu cowboy, agréable à écouter.

60’s country. Yeah, just that. Not like it’s bad, but it doesn’t really differentiate itself from the rest.

Very country, sadly not very exciting as well. It's a nice background music for sure! The voice is pretty good too.

Maalaismusiikkia, sopii jyväskyläläiselle. 3/5

Hit wel een beetje die cowboy country kriebel

Straight-ahead, classic country. Almost to the point of sounding like parody at times listening to it now. Still, good listening / example of the genre

Just because Merle Haggard bums me out doesn't mean it isn't VERY good. This is what I think about when I imagine that dark, wry, witty humor pervasive through country music. It really requires you to be in the right mood to perk up and listen, otherwise it just sounds like pleasant enough country. Tune into the background, and you get a real feast of great musicians. But it's all about those dark lyrics, gently delivered, with a wink and a grin. 3/5 for a "good" time.

I feel like I have heard so many parodies of this kind of country music that it was hard to take it seriously. Big Lurkeen Lumpkin vibes. However, it was a nice catchy listen. Simpsons reference: No

Was very pleasant to listen to during a sunny run in Spain.

A good country album with some real determination and emotion in it. Merle really delivered, almost on accident since he didn't write the titular song. Captures the old western aesthetic with a bit more vulnerability than Marty

Ok, I didn't expect this buuuuut, I actually kinda liked old Merle and his old school country ramblings. 3.25 stars.

merle ate

3.5

One of the better old country albums I've heard. The genre is not really my thing but there was a nice mix of slow and upbeat songs

Very classic country vibe and sound. Enjoyed the listens and storytelling, but probably won’t listen again. 3/5 given the historical significance.

De estilo country y con buena voz, es un disco de no mucha duración que se deja escuchar y que tiene cierto ritmo. Un estilo muy americano

Some solid tunes. I tend to like Merle Haggard but this didn’t leap out as one of his best albums. Maybe his singles were just better. Not terrible but definitely not something I’ll be returning to soon. 3/5

It’s pretty and sometimes witty, but fades into background, not attention grabbing.

A bit too much country twang for me, but it wasn't overly offensive luckily!

1. 4 2. 3.5 3. 3 4. 3.5 5. 3 6. 3.5 7. 3 8. 3 9. 3 10. 3.5 11. 3 12. 3.5 = 3.29

As advertised, nothing more. Yeehaw.

Easy listen early country…same story, same chord structure, different rhythm.

Really enjoyed listening to this one, hadn't done so before.

Was looking forward to some classic country on this list and this one didn't disappoint

pretty nice album. feels like a good road trip album lol

Not my typical style of music, but I found some of the songs very endearing. Especially liked If You Want to be My Woman for some reason. Maybe that’s where my life is at right now. Probably won’t listen to this one again but it was good.

The lap dance is so much better when the stripper is crying

Decent country music

Inoffensive. Enjoyed the vibe

Fine

aight

A slower album with country elements and a mostly sad tone throughout the entire project. Not my usual music but I could tell he's a very talented singer who held his notes well and could make a room cry with his music if he wanted to. Probably wouldn't listen to most of these songs back but I did enjoy my time listening to this album for the most part. 6/10

Fun for parties?

yeah, this really does sound like mid sixties country music. not bad or anything, but maybe not my fav!!

3.5 It was fine and fun, and I enjoyed listening to it. From this genre, I prefer songs that tell a kinda extravagant story like “Folsom Prison Blues” or “El Paso” and there were glimmers of those in this album, but it felt more on the generic side. Easy listening, though, but nothing really blew my mind.

Old country...too much twang.... 3/5

Country, sin más.

It’s pretty much exactly what you’d expect from a vintage country legend - a classic twangy voice with lots of embellishing drawl telling tall tales about a romanticized cowboy life that every hick within a 1000 mile radius thinks they understand on a deep profound level. It’s not unpleasant, but it is extremely corny and outdated.

fairly nice country album. Had a nice time listening to it. 6.8/10

Rating: 6/10 Best songs: Mixed up mess of a heart

This is in my opinion one of the best country artists of all time. He’s gritty, American, and makes music for the average person. That’s what country music is and should be about. Merle was able to tell great stories in his songs that were very relatable. The man wrote so many songs and it seems like each album really only had a hit or two but all the songs are pretty consistent. Very great stuff and will always listen to Merle. Merle himself is a 5 star artist but this album just lacks a little bit but is still very good. 7.6/10

So this is classic country. Much better than modern country that is for sure. Still not a huge fan but also not as unlistenable as what country music is by today's standards. I do think I've learned, thanks to Musgraves, that I much prefer female country singers to male as the voice twang isn't as noticeable. Not terrible but also not something I would say is a must hear. 3 out of 5.

pretty good 3.5

Not my favourite style of music, but I enjoyed it.

Man, the 60s and 70s were a weird time in america. This was what country shit-kickers were listening to when they got drunk on cheap beer in dirty bars. Crazy. But in any case, its a decent album. 3/5

This is an old western sad cowboy album. The vibes are very similar to Gunfighter Ballads And Trail Songs, which is also on this list, but that album does the same thing much, much better. This one’s ok and definitely makes me feel like I’m in the Old West, but it’s not one I’m likely to come back to intentionally.

Some nice songs but maybe got a bit repetitive, good that it was only 30mins long in that regard.

Of it’s time, not my cup of tea and repetitive. But ok if you like that sort of thing.

3/5. This is way too personal which is what makes it good. There are some really depressing and direct lines in here about suicide, depression, alcoholism, prison, identity crisis, heartbreak, etc. There are some normal country songs sprinkled in between which brings this score down. Just like "Wee small hours" from Sinatra, making the whole album about similar themes makes it better, especially with these deep and serious lyrics. Still some great ones here.

Past without nostalgia makes this music a little hard to dig your claws into. The rail landscape of the cover was already disappearing in '67, and the persona of the buttoned-down fugitive was always something of a construction. In song, that all becomes lightly and lively unsettling. Haggard's the face and voice, not yet of something his own.

I love this album but it is a bit samey throughout

Decent country...of the type I like decently well. 2.5/5

Country animado. Ni fu ni fa.

A fine album with great songwriting - just not a style that I really appreciate. 3 stars