I’m a Lonesome Fugitive

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

One of the better put together country albums out there. Merle has a voice and it’s also one of the best in country music.

I'm sorry, but there are a thousand country albums that sound just like this and are just as memorable.

I have been surprised by quite a few of the classic country albums on this list. And sadly this isn't one of them. Merle's story of being a fugitive is hardly a sympathetic one and him going back and forth about bring a hard man but then a man in pain didn't really sound genuine to me. None of the songs stuck out, either. I don't expect to be back to this album.

Not my jam but there were several enjoyable moments.

4 Stars only for my old roommate Steve

3.5/5

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.

He's the foundations of country but he's not my music.

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.

Classic country songs to listen when you are just sitting there doing nothing

This kinda Country ain't for me now. Not very memorable.

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

The Hag never fails to impress

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)

Gear: Grado Hemp Artwork: 🚂 Mix: 🦻 Musik: 🤣 Wertung: 🚓/5

Country music is an abomination.

Blah. Meh. Old timey country music. Horrible.

Remember in middle school when you would ask your friends what kind of music they liked and the standard response was “Everything but country?” This album is why. In its defense, if you like this kind of country, I could see this being a quality example. But, I stand by my original statement.

Five wives, six children, 66 studio albums, born in a boxcar, multiple escapes from prison, a plethora of convictions for crimes he both did and didn’t commit that were ultimately pardoned by Ronald Reagan, and lived to be 79 years old. Merle Haggard’s life sounds too crazy to be true. Merle Haggard recorded dozens of amazing songs during his career but sitting down for an entire album of his is rarely something I want to do. This one is no exception. I can’t deny his talent or that he touches greatness at times, but he was a working musician who was putting out songs like a factory puts out widgets. Creating art wasn’t really his goal and so it’s no surprise that he only did so rarely. His albums are the sound of a talented craftsman making solid music, and so worth hearing, but out of his decades-long music career you can listen to the times he really made something that surpassed that in a couple of hours.

Not surprised by some of the low ratings here, there's no accounting for taste. If you can't appreciate this I feel sorry for you because Merle's the real deal.

This was a fun western album that I really enjoyed listening to.

Grew on me as it went along.

I’m not really a fan of country music, but I found myself tapping my foot to pretty much every song.

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.

I enjoyed this one. Not a 5 but above a 3, sounds like a 4 if my math is right. Was not a good album to run too, tempos were just too slow. But since I can't run well, it was fine music to walk to, which was most of my outing, anyway. Looking forward to playing this album backwards so I can get my dog, wife and job back.

Favourite songs: Skid Row, If You Want To Be My Woman, Drink Up and Be Somebody, Life in Prison, Mixed Up Mess of a Heart, Someone Told My Story, All of Me Belongs to You, I'm a Lonesome Fugitive, My Rough and Rowdy Ways Least favourite songs: Mary's Mine 4/5

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

This is a decent old school country album. It's a good example of the way the genre used to be.

More 60s US country. Not my thing. But there's a little more here than in some of the previous albums I've been dealt. A bit more blues and some variety on the pace and overall feel. I still didn't like it much and was glad when it was over.

It's just ordinary country, but the guitar work prevented me from getting sleep.

These are nice songs and I dig his voice

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

This was much more enjoyable than I thought and it makes me feel like the Ranger with the Big Iron on his hip

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.

The blueprint that everyone is trying to copy from. Some of the later country albums that appear on this list (looking at you, "Buenos Noches from a Lonely Room", or whatever you're called) are merely the palest imitation of Merle Haggard. Was surprised it wasn't all heartbreak and ballads on here, there's a few tracks that are just straight-up blues cuts on here. Great record. Favorite tracks: "Mixed Up Mess Of A Heart", "All of Me Belongs To You"

A juxtaposition between the positive energy of country and jet-black lyrics that tackle male mental health issues with admirable, almost heart-breaking honesty.

Old school country is not my thing. Gave it a listen but no need to listen again.

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

I’m shocked that I liked this as much as I did

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.

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

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

The perfect album for the day.

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.

Not the best

Commendable tunes, partner.

it made me feel like a cowboy in a saloon nursing a whiskey and it fit the vibe i had at the moment but i cannott see myself listening to this all the time. the songs were very repetitive and sounded the same, but if you wanna escape reality and pretend you're a lonw cowboy exploring the south, sure, its cool.

Eh, it's almost fine, but I think I'd rather listen to Johnny Cash any day of the week.

A little too old timey country for my taste.

THIS is Merle Haggard?? Wow. Not what I was expecting, in the best way. Ready for a deep dive now. If you think you don’t like country and want to skip it, maybe give it a chance; it’s classic country, more melancholy than redneck.

This type of country all sounds the same to me, just boring.

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.

typical classic country music. sentimental, simple and decently personal. some tracks are perfect for bootin' and scootin'. but i genuinely... i just don't like this genre that much. i'm sorry, i just don't. end of story.

eigentlich ganz cute

A bit of Bakersfield sound for your morning. When rock and roll broke through the mainstream, country found solace in it's electric guitar and leisurely backbeat. This, at it's core, is what gives Merle Haggard his smooth, warm sound. Listening to Haggard is like smoking menthols or drinking good whisky, and it's a delight. I can sleep easy knowing I can wake up early and put on Merle Haggard while watching the sun rise.

Not dreadful

It’s crazy that Beyoncé really ended up being Destiny’s child after all.

Low key a great listen

not a huge fan

Twangy.

Wonderful melodies, some songs have utterly depressing lyrics. It's Classic Country - Bakersfield sound. Favorites are My Rough And Rowdy Ways, and the more upbeat numbers, If You Want To Be My Woman, Skid Row, and Mixed Up Mess Of A Heart.

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.

So I think my mom might like Merle Haggard, but this guy is not for me. I think I would have been kinder if this album was from the late 70s or 80s, but this releasedin 2001. It's attitudes seem dated, and it's music is average.

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.

Music that would played at Guantanamo Bay.

I listened to this sitting in a coffee shop by myself at 8am drinking a black coffee and for some reason I felt down on my luck. He's got a great voice, the guitar work is simple but well done and fun. Vibe is there through and through. I was listen to Mixed up Mess of a Heart and kept just thinking it's a damn shame, and I have no idea what I was referring to. I jogged across a light when relistening and Drink Up and Be Somebody was on. It weirdly felt like a powerful song in that moment.

Right away the sound quality is top tier. Great voice, solid musicianship. Good music to dance to or hit the road with the windows down. Favorite, All of Me Belongs to You. For the most part this is a solid album and still has the country sound, but nothing really pops. Much respect.

More hillbilly music, pass

Meh, not my cup of tea.

Listened to his stories of woe on ride back from airport…. Guitar picking was cool…. Read up about him and he stayed true, and though not one I’d play, album is a bit special.

Nice. San Andreas vibe.

Really nice country album.

I'll often say I don't like country, but I like old country. This is old country.

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

Not my cup of soup but I appreciate the songwriting

Easy-listening American country music with typical melancholic themes behind the songs. No one particular song stood out to me. Not sure why this is an album to hear before I die.

a bit simple boring in the wrong genre for me

Trying to shake off “The Blue Brothers”’s précis of country music as a hostile bar eternally alternating ”Stand by your man” and “Rawhide”, I read up on Haggard and remembered that the genre is a modern movement, born of 20th century capitalism and technology, John Dilinger as much as John Wayne, and that it is profoundly odd, as well as occasionally moving. Merle Haggard hits these markers, and the sequencing of this record is a simple pleasure itself, undulating, speeding up and slowing down as he lays down a series of images and regrets that have stick. Skid Row managed to get my two year old singing “Welllll!” within a single listen, which by itself made me grateful for this record. Nifty guitar work’s throughout, which I only noticed when I started listening out for it.

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

Cool vibe but every song sounds more or less the same and covers more or less the same subject matter. Just listen to “I’m a Lonesome Fugitive”, and then move on. You’ve heard the whole album.

Yikes no

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.

ah more country. hope all your crops wilt away

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.

It's fine...I'm just not much of a country fan

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.

This is a nice album. It really shows the outlaw country vibe that some artists had in the 60s. Merle’s voice really is the key here. With a Johnny Cash inspiration, he gave way to country crooners. Some of the lyrics, though, do sound a bit out of place at times, like “Life in Prison”. I guess that means I wouldn’t like a lot of Johnny Cash songs. The album does have 10/10 songs in the form of “Mary’s Mine” and “All of Me Belongs to You”, though, but it deserves an 85.8%, or a 4.29/5.

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

Country may not be my favorite genre, but I always enjoy listening to it!

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

Nah man, fucker ikke med country

Great country music. I was never a big fan of country music, but i lived in the US for sometime, and you inevitably end up listening to it, its part of their culture. Never heard of this guy Merle Haggard, but i will sure keep on listening to gis music.

Maalaismusiikkia, sopii jyväskyläläiselle. 3/5

Nope

Country <3

really enjoyed this

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

Hit wel een beetje die cowboy country kriebel

Nä fy fan. Sämsta sortens country. Inte min kopp te. Tråkig musik. Otroligt sopiga texter. Det känns så simpelt, oengagerande. Lyfter aldrig.

Det gäller att den här typen av textdrivna musik faktiskt har bra texter, men tyvärr är det banalt på barnboksnivå över hela linjen.

Sucky

Not my bag... too twangy.too predictable

It's a vibe. Not my vibe, but it's a vibe.

3.5 rounded up.

Loved it. Don't think of myself as liking country, but this is so good.

Not particularly my thing

Well I’m surely in a bad roll. I know for sure there are some great albums coming but most of the last sorts have been quite lame. This one was lame for sure, the new Spotify teaser feature surely came in handy.

Never to be forgiven for the jingoism of Okie from Muskogee, for it persists in country music to this day. Reeks of resentment when not stinking of sentimentalism. "I don't like country music, but I don't mean to denigrate those who do. And for the people who like country music, denigrate means 'put down'." Bob Newhart

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

Slow and painful. The album is too long. Very morose

Ich habe wenig gefühlt

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

I loved it!

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

Good god this is unspeakably boring. You know that dreadful film where the Beatles don't exist, so someone plays Beatles songs with Ed Sheeran (I think that's the plot, it was shocking). Anyway, this is like if the Fabs didn't exist, but nor did any other progressive sixties music, any drug or alt culture, or cultural revolution. It's easy to imagine this is what Don Draper put on when he turned off Tomorrow Never Knows halfway through. I love Don, but I don't want to live in that world.

Ça n'aide pas que je ne suis pas fan de country, mais selon moi c'était l'un des albums les plus standard que j'ai entendu dans le genre. Certains albums plus vieux sonnaient plus originaux que celui-ci. Généralement peu captivant et trop similaire, jusqu'à la fin où quelques pièces rehausse de tempo un peu. Trop peut trop tard. 4/10

2/5

A lot of songs sounded the same, but all in all a very enjoyable listen.

Not of interest to me. Unconvincing lyrics delivered in a crooning manner. The concept of a lovable/redeemable rough guy just doesn't appeal and comes across as exceedingly contrived. It is a pose, an affectation, a lie, a contrivance. Additionally--strong problems of paternalism embedded in the lyrics. It's ok for a man to be rough and rowdy and economically untrue, but he owns his woman none-the-less.

Some old country was a good change of pace.

This is good old real country.

yee haw

Good old fashion country music for two steppin and drowning your sorrows in a bottle of whiskey. Not the feel good album of the year but classic.

Un disco de country muy de manual, con su slide, su steel, su cantante delincuente. Un buen disco de country que no destaca por nada en particular.

A Good Country Album

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.

Gott...

Terrible

a mix of beautiful and fun

Good stuff, even though country is not my “go to” genre.

Country is not a favourite genre of mine, but this wasn’t too bad to listen to. It helps that both the songs and the album are short, but even then I got a little bored after 12 songs that sounded almost identical to one another. I think I’d enjoy listening to this while driving a combine harvester round the rural bits of GTA:San Andreas, but that’s the only 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.

Was ok, maybe a little boring for me. I actually can't remember a single song on here

I just enjoyed the album. It didn’t blow my away but it was fun and made me smile. He was no Johnny Cash but he was good. Mixed up Mess of a Heart was particularly fun.

I have always loved Merle. I have not heard this album but it was refreshing to hear some deep cuts not just his songs you hear all the time.

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

I’m going to give this a 4. Day 14. Okay. So It’s late right now, and I’ve listened to the first 3 tracks on this record, they’re pretty solid. I’m sure the rest is just as good. Unfortunately, it’s time to get my next album and I didn’t have time to listen to the whole thing. I wish I could go back and edit my reviews, but I can’t. But I will still listen to this one. I’m basing my rating on the first 3 tracks and also how Country music usually sounds to me, so a 4/5 but it’s not entirely correct if you know what I mean.

kind of awful. maybe a banger in there

Fun honkey tonk blues. Love this vibe

Didn't like this. Country music I'd nit for Me Low 2

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

Det mest stereotype country man kan forestille sig

I really enjoyed this, I had not listened to much Merle Haggard previously.

Not much to say, I'm still not a fan of country music, and this album definitely haven't moved the needle at all. It's pretty similar to Johnny Cash album I've encountered on this list, for sure thematically. Otherwise, I don't have much to say about it.

merle ate

proper good ol boy country. should have been left in the 19th centaury

I liked it, You can hear how he influenced a lot of the Outlaw Country artists.

Not my bag whatsoever. My eyes they are a rollin.

Leiðinlegt ... gat ekki hlustað í gegn

Very much enjoyed.

"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.

Hier blüht das Pfadfinder Herz - Feine saubere und klare Country Musik, ehrliche Geschichten, passende Musik - abwechslungsreich um nich langweilig zu werden aber schlüssig um im Album Kontext zu bleiben. Nicht so wild wie Johnny Cash und nicht so reißerisch wie John Denver. Mein Favorit ist “House of Memories”.

no favorites, whoever wrote the lyrics sound annoying to me sorry

Not for me.

3.5

Country. does nothing for me.

cool idea/backstory, she’s a little too rural pool bar for me but she ain’t overstay her welcome and she is what she sets out to be. mostly.

Great album

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

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

yay!

For fuck sake… can we apply a filter to filter out Country music?! My review is its exactly as uninspiring and predictable as every other country album. Perhaps a slight less annoying.

Couldn't really shake Conway Twitty out of my head, very much of the era where music followed very stringent rules so there wasn't much variation, which is somewhat acceptable when it's big band stuff but dire when it's rockabilly/country. All the songs were mercifully short, almost ridiculously so, not even the solos got more than a couple of bars. Not for me at all, just generally bad.

I think there have been a few too many rotten Country albums on this list. This one is better than the average - good walking rhythms, but thematically standard. Life In Prison was decent.

More shite Country music! However this was so quick and short that it almost didn't bother me. Highlights: Life In Prison

More country... Not for me, but probably preferred it to Emmylou we had the other day. Mercifully short. Felt extremely dated 1.5

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.

Country artists just don’t sing about killing their girlfriends and contemplating suicide in prison like they used to 4.5/10

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

OK the only time I’ve even ever heard this name was through a Bloodhound Gang a lap dance is so much better when the stripper is crying. This is straight up country. I’m not gonna be able to do this one. Sorry. One star.

Drink up and be somebody

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.

I liked it a lot, it requires a certain mood, but will definitely revisit. Also reminded me of the Bloodhound Gang song The lapdance is so much better when the stripper is crying, which is an absolutely disgusting masterpiece.

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

Good stuff

not for me

Decent country music

Inoffensive. Enjoyed the vibe

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

Not my taste. I think I understand what people like about it. Favorite song: there was this song I liked better than the rest, but it turned out I didn't turn off youtube's autoplay (I did, but somehow it didn't work) and it was not from the album.

Definitely not!

Fine

4.2 - Merle Haggard covers most of the classic country themes on this early record - murder, running from the law, heartbreak, vagrancy... The simplicity of the arrangements and production allows the richness of the stories and the voice to really shine. Here's another record that affirms Rhett & Link's advice to "listen to more Merle."

aight

What in the Alabama, cousin-f*cking, country bumpkin shit is this? Just kidding, it was already for Cracker Barrel music. 4/10

Not my kind of music. Just too slow and boring. My favorite was “If you want to be my woman”. Luckily for me it was a short album. There’s plenty of other genres I’d rather listen to. 4/10

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

This is granpa music. This is country music. This is not really my kind of music. It’s not that I don’t like country music, it’s more that I don’t really enjoy it very much. The composition of the songs are just fine, slide guitar (if it is actually a slide guitar) is nice, if not a bit repetitive and overused. Merle’s voice is nice but once again pretty repetitive. Each song tells a story about working class, women, and such but they really all sound the same. Just not for me. 3/10

Fun for parties?

HATED IT!! country booyyy I do not love you. :(( sorry Merle

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

4.5 stars. This is prime country. Title track is the standout. Other greats are "Drink Up And Be Somebody" and "Mixed Up and Messed Of A Heart", but start to finish this is just really good old country. Interesting music with steel guitar, piano, catchy hooks, and Haggard's iconic singing.

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.

No.

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

It's saccharine vibe makes it all a bit of a drag to listen to

I can' listen to this. Wish he would choke on his fucking memorieeees!

Kill me. The worst kind of country. No, wait. Is there a good kind?

I just dislike country music.

Nope!

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

Albums like this make you realize how good country can be when the artist is talented and actually gives a shit about the music.

Nope !

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

It’s country. It’s shit.

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

Country!!!

Sure a great album if you like Honkytonk, i dont.

Ah, country & western, my second most despised genre after prog rock. Music for small town rednecks.

I'm not a country music fan, and Merle Haggard isn't doing anything to change that.

Not vital to this book or my life

Country ❤️

Jättebra

Are you really, Merle?

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

I’m really growing more into country. Merle Haggard is one of the biggest in the genre and you can tell he has a knack for songwriting! Beautiful short songs with strong stories! 8 out of 10

Having just watched Dewey Cox, I could semi enjoy a few tracks by imagining him singing it and believing it to be a pisstake. However, when the realisation dawns that this was an actual album. My god. 1.5*

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

A very different genre to what I'd typically listen to. But some really nice relaxing tunes! I listened to it while doing some admin, and reading quite dense documents and it complimented those activities nicely. I particularly enjoyed the last song with a choir, had an almost gospel feel and was a great album closer.

As much as I am not a fan of new country, some of the old country just doesn't resonate with me. I know these albums are old but I can't help picturing old grandma's snapping their thumbs and bobbing around to these songs. Which isn't a bad thing... It's just not for me. I love the story telling aspect of this album. Some catchy hooks for sure. Too twangy for me. Guitar work is great. I'm still open to hearing more of this genre in this era.

Old country. Just ok. 2 stars

cuntry got a 47 on the test!! only up from here!

Country isn't my thing. This is a no.

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

Terrific

Dang, this whole album just makes me think of her.

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.

Classic Country. Hurtin’ music. Great voice, great guitar and great lyrics.

Gem

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

No.

much lamer than expected

I can't stand country music.

Niet mijn genre.

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.

Miellyttävämpää kuin eilinen mutta kuraahan tämä.. arvotonta... oikein mitätön..

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

snooze

I think this is exactly the type of music the soundtrack to Walk Hard was aiming its satire at.

Sounds like bog standard Country. Nothing special.

I'm a Lonesome Fugitive is the third album by Merle Haggard and The Strangers. This country album was a hit in the US and brought Haggard fame. It's a moving and overall great album from beginning to end. Give it a shot!

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

Unknown album for me - only know MH songs from a compilation cd. Opening song is a classic, but I would not listen to this country album again.

Hard to stay tuned to this country music.

slay

Yikes: it's another country album which is just my idea of hell on earth. Wouldn't subject my worst enemy to listen to all of the country albums on here bc to be frank, they aren't that good. If you want some middle-aged man singing about fuck all in the american deep south then this is for you, but me, no.

Country animado. Ni fu ni fa.

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

Dross

Not sure why so many people absolutely hate country. Some of these songs are stupid, but overall pretty fun

Not sure what I was meant to think of that. Some lovely guitar work though

None of these songs are "hits", yet everyone of them seems familiar. Lot's a slide guitar, two step beats. Better than other 3 star albums.

Smooth easy listening cowboy country. Simple tunes, pretty melodic, short, merle's voice is very clean. All around pleasant in the style.

Вот мой нелюбимый стиль кантри когда певец только поет, но не играет Не дошел до истории, может там охуенно

Я не могу для себя объяснить, почему Джонни Кэш - это круто, а это - не звучит также круто. Ну вот как так? Как минимум записано бодренько, хорошо. Да и история у чувака очень душещипательная конечно... но не реднек я!

Maybe I shouldn't rate this one - I simply don't like country. And in particular not this one...

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.

Meh

Lol, why country gotta be for the sad boys

I love the Bakersfield Sound. This album is a fantastic listen.

Listening to Merle Haggard just give me nostalgia of driving through the country side of Grand Theft Auto: San Andreas listening to K-Rose. It's very sombre, gives that classic feeling of country lonlieness and losing your way. Just makes me feel like I'm driving down a country road with nothing around me for miles. I love the way he can drag his voice on and make it bounce. I like this sort of country. 'Drink up and be Somebody' is one of my favorite so far. Love that classic yern of getting drunk and losing your wife, house, dog, truck and guitar. The female vocals also add a lot of depth to it, another country trope I adore. It gets really honky tonk with 'If you want to be my woman'. Same for the rest of the album. Also really love 'Skid Row'.

Stark contrast to the heavily processed digital pop of a lot of the recent fare Ive gotten from this list. Real instruments played by powerful talents, minimally processed vocals. It is not strictly my genre but it's top of that game.

Pretty good country music.

It's country.

Couldn’t get into it. Sorry just not my cup of tea

Yee--and I won't stress it very energetically---haaaaaaaaw... aaaawww... aaww... *yawn*. (Had to pay tribute to the best review on this app--and also one of the shortest. It was for Marty Robbins, if my memory serves...). Yeah, Merle Haggard is a pivotal figure for the whole outlaw counrty subgenre, blah blah blah... Yet I will always prefer Robbins, Willie Nelson and Waylon Jennings in this category. And also Johnny Cash's deep booming voice, it goes without saying. Merle Haggard might have been the real thing as a San Quentin inmate, OK, I get that. But when Johnny Cash played there (and Folsom!), you can feel a real sense of danger and urgency in those live records. And I'm sorry to say that even with the topics addressed in Haggard's lyrics, there's none of that sense of danger and adventure in the man's frigging *music*. There are some cool guitar licks here and there, I'm gonna give it that. But a lot of it is so damn predictable... All the figures I've mentioned up there have taken some musical risks at some point or another in their long career. And it's a risk I'm not feeling at all in this album. It's an all-too generic example of what Country and Western usually does. Here is the problem I have with many fans of this overall genre, by the way. They always discuss the lyrics (see some examples of that in the reviews)... but they rarely address the music. Because, well, let's be honest for a second : most of the tunes here are objectively interchangeable. Their chord changes are boring as hell. It's flat, VERY flat. Like those endless midwest plains... Then, if I go to more subjective reasons to hate the genre, those tunes provide many example of that for me. Their energy is placid, even totally inert, and unfortunately, it's also devoid of any hypnotic qualities that would redeem those flaws. Being energetic or hypnotic is something other "simple" styles such as punk and reggae do, for instance. But it's very rare for country to go there. Or in that case it becomes... bluegrass. And "I'm a Lonesome Fugitive* is definitely NOT a bluegrass album. Pretty sure many country fans will be angered by this review. But even though I always try to keep an open mind (hence my interest for Nelson and Cash), I'd rather be honest here. It's a little brutal, I admit it. But I hear that's how outlaws act sometimes, don't they? 2/5 for the purposes of this list. Which translates to a 7/10 grade for more general (and less biased?) purposes (5+2). Next please. Number of albums left to review: 474 Number of albums from the list I find relevant enough to be mandatory listens: 250 Albums from the list I *might* include in mine later on: 119 (maybe for Haggard's historical importance for C&W, in spite of my low grading) Albums from the list I will certainly *not* include in mine (many others are more essential to me): 155

Not for me

Solid rough livin country songs. The band is fun to listen to. Amazing that he heard Johnny Cash as a prisoner at San Quentin - what a story! I would listen to this again.

This album's a drag. Chock full of country cliches that never let up.

Sad and not bad cowboy music. I wouldn't change the station but not a thing I'd always wanna jive with. I think I've heard of Merle Haggard and wish mainstream country music today was more like this. Although I guess this is considered outlaw country?

Yee Haw

-didn’t write a BL, retroactively reviewed on 25/08/23, generated on 8/08/23- AL: I liked this. A very good pure country record. Lyrics on point, good guitaring, and Merle Haggard has pretty compelling country vocals which hold their purity but don’t overdo the twang. Would listen to quite a few of these tracks again. FT: “House of Memories”, “Drink up and be Somebody”, “Mixed Up Mess of a Heart” 4/5

Good!

3.5, good stuff