I’m a Lonesome Fugitive

Not revolutionary but I'm a sucker for this kind of folk. It's music for armchair nostlagia. It inspires recollections of wilder days and deeds done. Read through the tracklist, it's 12 slightly different sad sips of whiskey. 'Drink up and be somebody' takes the crown and wins the woeful olympics. Get feeling, but not too much boys.

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

Love Merle Haggard, part of the soundtrack of my childhood. This isn't my favorite album, but it's still pure Haggard.

Although I would never choose to play this album for myself, if my grandpa punched this cassette into the stereo of his beat-up pickup truck and we listened on a long drive into town, I wouldn't be upset about it.

Average early country but still better than modern country by a mile

i'm a lonesome fugitive by merle haggard is a whole ass vibe!! with a title like that, it's no surprise this album is country with a capital c. the entire album follows along with a theme haggard created after hearing (and subsequently covering) "i'm a lonesome fugitive." his own prison stint only encouraged the theme, and i love the connection and the dedication. i enjoyed following along with haggard's story, and like a lot of country, i found it easy and relaxing to listen to this album. i'm just saying that the album would've improved with including "mama tried".

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

Rarely does an album's title so concisely reveal its own intended purpose. He's always on the run and he's very, very lonely. What more did you want, something happy? While it's lovely seeing Merle in *some* capacity here, I can't help but think that you could quite easily swap out this for Mama Tried-- if only because then you get to listen to the title track of *that* album, one of the greatest country songs of all time. A 3.5/5 leaving town, not knowing where it's bound.

Good music to cook burgers to. 3/5

Good old country music. Overall it's quite boring musically, and most of the songs are too similar too so I don't think I'll come back to this album.

Slow C&W is a hard no. Bore off

He seems a wee bit lovesick, no?

Old school outlaw country. One of the genres I love, largely thanks to my dad. A great example

There's better Merle stuff out der

This feel kind of like proto-Outlaw Country. Stuff like Skid Row is the raucous stuff I love. Some of it is a bit too mellow or sappy. But Merle is still great.

I’ve certainly heard of Merle Haggard before, but I’m not sure if I’ve heard any songs in particular. I’ve definitely said this before, but country music very rarely click for me. Merle seems to have a bit of a legendary status within country music, so I’m hopeful that this will be one of the better country albums. Songs I already knew: none Favourites: I’m A Lonesome Fugitive I genuinely went into this hopeful for a good album. The first two songs sounded fairly interesting, but then my attention was lost from there onwards. The songs all sounded too similar to me, and the sound wasn’t remarkable enough to get away with it. Listening to any of these songs by themself wouldn’t be too bad, but a whole album of it was just too much for me.

I enjoyed this. Decent country.

Classic country western music, from a classic country western star. This is what comes to mind when I think of country

This is a shining example of the Bakersfield Sound with its use of electric instruments and a steady backbeat as an answer to the overproduced Nashville Sound (Haggard was a consistent critic of Nashville). The Honky Tonk and Rock n Roll influences can be heard on songs like 'If You Want to be My Woman' but for the most part, the album is a slower, more contemplative record that features Haggard taking about his time in prison and his younger more reckless days. Haggard's voice is fantastic here and Ralph Mooney's steel guitar is perfect.

I'm not a big fan of country music, and there isn't anything spectacular about this album. However, when I think of country music, this is generally what I'm hoping to hear. Pretty good stuff.

It's alright

Not the worst Country album of all time, but it’s still country so therefore it’s shit. Soz, not soz. Will never listen to this again.

Awesome 💙

Shit

not my cuppatee

it was fine not my favorite Merle Haggard songs tho

Nice album to listen to when driving, makes you feel about of the wild west

In terms of the music itself, separate from the lyrics, I found the country sound quite soothing actually, even though I've always identified as a country hater haha. And at first I was down with the album, but once I heard what Merle had to say over the course, I realized this was just putting women down to make him and men look better. Especially when there's this reoccurring sentiment that his girlfriend owes him affection when he pays for things -- she doesn't owe you anything bud. Anyway so that pissed me off and doesn't make me want to listen to the album again. Again, musically it all worked, it's just the lyrics that ruined it for me :(

Some good stuff

I’m not a big country fan but I’m aware of Merle’s legacy. Some of the songs really painted a picture so kinda fun to listen to and had some fun guitars. “Drink up and be somebody” will definitely go on the drinking playlist. Still a bit too westerny for me though.

Spotify listed this album as from 2001 which threw me at first. Pretty sad subject matter here, but I struggled to have sympathy for the character whereas I usually would. Mixed Up Mess Of A Heart was the best track on here for me.

Æji, þessi "Ó ég er svo villtur og get ekki hætt því, ekki einu sinni fyrir einu sönnu ástina" týpa af köntríi þykir mér svo afskaplega klén og leiðinleg.

Yee haw. Jiving central I'd say. I did enjoy this a lot more than I initially thought I would. "Okie form Musjogee" is honestly gas, yee haw. Yodelling!! (man I love an auld yodel) This album is definitely a guilty pleasure ahaha

Not for me.

Genuine article. Real feeling, even if a fair amount of winking accompanies several songs (see "Whatever Happened to Me" and "Drink Up and Be Somebody'" and "Mixed Up Mess of a Heart"). The playing is assured and smooth, almost to a fault. And one finds it odd and a bit funny to see how clean-cut some of the outlaws could look?

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

I think a lot of Merle's troubles would be solved if, a) he didn't murder anybody. Don't do the crime if you can't do the time, and b) Stop whinin' and maudlin'. 'Em women in country want the strong and silent cowboy, not a muddlin' Merle.

I enjoyed this for what it was. Rather than really grabbing me it sounded like the background music you would hear in a honky tonk bar.

Another day, another country album. This is a collection of inoffensive, if boring, songs that can i can listen to without being too annoyed. But the album doesn't give me any reason why I should. 2/5

Country ain't my jam

Outlaw Country! Or starts out that way. Then it shifts to sad-sack country.

Country carcerari old school, el començament de la carrera de Merle Haggard com un dels grans del génere i un dels pivots de la seva temàtica i del seu so

Merle had a great voice and some great stories to tell. 'Drink Up and Be Somebody' hits hard, but even with only 30 minutes of runtime, I'm a Lonesome Fugitive still feels a bit monotonous.

Whenever I think of country, Haggard’s voice is one of the first to pop up. Iconic, warm and with an emotional depth to it. He’s really all you want in a country singer. This quintessential American sound brings back memories of cruising down the lonesome highway, heading West towards the sunset, an arm around my girl, evergreen upon evergreen bursting from the stereo. Memories that aren’t mine, to be honest. But memories that live well within the music of Merle Haggard.

Good country album

really good

Good ol country n western. Sad songs that make you want to drink a few cold ones and hop in a pickup.

Country is certainly not my preferred genre, but some music is just undeniably charming. Merle Haggard has a great voice and writes excellent songs. The backing music features his voice well while keeping your toes tapping 4/5

Merle Haggard is a classic. I’m generally not a fan of modern country music but I’ll listen to him any day. 3.5/5, rounded up to 4/5.

I'm so thankful to get a shorter album that I don't even care that it's country. Life In Prison is way sadder than I thought this album would get honestly. It wasn't until the last couple lines until I realized what he was saying.

Way better than I’d anticipated. Some beautiful tracks.

Mehhh. More American male-singer country music. I continue to maintain that I'm not American enough to understand this stuff. I dunno, some of it was okay to me but there was a lot that was just way too slow and boring. His voice isn't quite as Hillbilly and full of southern drawl as some of the others though, so I at least thought this was one of the more listenable American country albums I've heard so far. It also became a bit more enjoyable with some of the faster songs, and I can't really fault the lyricism here. Just not an album I could really vibe with. Favourite: Mixed Up Mess Of A Heart

good country album but i think marty robbins might still be better

Pretty nice

nice enough! yee haw

Love cowboys

This is serviceable old school country I believe? Full of every cliche you would expect, except they're not sure they were cliches back then. Either way it was fine but not for me.

Still not a fan of country, this did not change my mind. I almost fell asleep.

Viel me tegen

Wat een ellende zeg. Gauw iets anders draaien om deze vieze smaak weg te spoelen.

Blegh! Verschrikkelijk die belegen country

Wat moet het leven in 1967 heerlijk ongecompliceerd zijn geweest voor Merle. Ongecompliceerd en saaaaaaaaaai.....

Not for me

Perfectly serviceable country. Not in the jangly earache end of the genre - this is well thought out and written, but still not something I would run towards.

Nice to listen to but that's it

Non

5/10

ne znam zašto mrze country, men se sviđa stari country

This album features some of Haggard's best tracks, including the title track "I'm a Lonesome Fugitive," "Branded Man," and "Sing Me Back Home." Each song showcases Haggard's signature sound, a blend of honky-tonk and Bakersfield country, and his heartfelt lyrics that often tell stories of heartbreak, loss, and redemption. Haggard brings raw emotion to each track. His voice is filled with pain and longing, but also with hope and resilience, making every song an emotional experience for the listener. The album also features some great musicians, including James Burton on guitar and Glen D. Hardin on piano, adding to the overall quality of the album. If you're looking for a good country album that tackles the human experience, look no further than ”I’m a Lonesome Fugitive”

Ei löytynyt ensimmäistäkään hyvää biisiä. Ainoa hyvä asia oli lyhyt kesto.

Mitä mä just edelliseen kommentoin?! Lyhkäsellä kuuntelulla kakkonen

Legend has it this guy was one of the prisoners in the crowd when Johnny Cash performed at San Quentin. Singing about his crimes and prison in a remorseful manner in every song, he truly deserves the label "outlaw country" more than anyone. Anyone who can make country listenable gets extra points from me. Even though I'm not crazy about it and most of the songs don't contribute much, this guy can make me understand the appeal of country. These songs are depressing, and I love how they have this old-time feel like I'm sitting in a saloon, with the guitar, steel guitar, and piano taking turns in the spotlight. Favorites: Life in Prison, Whatever Happened to Me, If You Want to Be My Woman

Really enjoy his voice and the laid back nature of these tracks. This type of country music is very comforting.

Boring American Country Music

rather enjoyable listen. i feel like a cowboy now

The older the country, the more I can tolerate it. To a point. I thought If You Want To Be My Woman was a fun song.

Country. Fine but not my thing. Meh.

One of the most influential albums Merle ever made, practically creating the Outlaw Country sub-genre. Not a very popular or lasting genre, but it was original for the time. It sure is fun and I enjoyed the album. 4/5

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

Nah.

Better than expected given what I thought country music is, but still not exciting for me

I'm not a huge fan of country, but this album somewhat changed my mind. I can definitely appreciate older country, as well as non-pop versions of current country. This album wasn't too bad, but I did get a bit fatigued towards the end, it all began to sound very similar.

Joa, irgendwie langweilig und nix besonderes. Was zwischen 2 und 3.

He's no Willie. Fricken excellent country music name though.. GOTDANG MURL I TOLD YE TO SHUT THE GOTDANG DOOR

I just like Merle Haggard. Enjoy the Bakersfield sound, and I slightly prefer this album to Buck Owens's I've Got a Tiger By the Tail, but both are great classic country records. Bonnie Owens's harmony vocals are the secret weapon on this album, adding some extra depth to Someone Told My Story and the title track. Drink Up and Be Somebody and If You Want to Be My Woman are both fun uptempo stomps, and Life in Prison is a just a banger of a classic country track.

ok. i like merle but this is not his best

Not the worst country album I've ever heard. As always, Merle's lyrics steal the show.

Great album - what country used to be.

Not a big fan of country and honky tonk.. that sound in the background is the most annoying part of this genre for me. Still it's way more palatable for me than modern country. Saved tracks: House Of Memories, Whatever Happened To Me, Mary's Mine

It sounds like every other Merle Haggard album I've listened to. But that's a good thing. The outlaw country artists are the only ones that really resonate with me. They're storytellers, above all else. They don't fall into the same three or four clichés that modern country stars seem to. And even when they do, well, they originated it, so can't be too hard on them. This is a 3.5 star album to me, but I'm going to round down this time, because a few days after a very pleasant listen, not much about it has stuck in my mind.

Classic Merle haggard Excellent outlaw country Definitely a must listen for any country fan

For an instant music biopic generator, see Merle Haggard’s Wikipedia page. All the hallmarks are there: childhood trauma, multiple incarcerations and stays in prison, a chance encounter with his musical hero, redemption and liberty through music. For its soundtrack, one probably couldn’t go far wrong with the “I’m A Lonesome Fugitive” album. Its title track seems to capture Haggard’s life some years earlier as a “rolling stone”, with one eye on the next lay-by and another on the rear-view mirror. Ironically, its writers were completely unaware of his past troubles, but it fits perfectly. It’s a solid opening and a remarkable story, but ultimately the music falls somewhat flat for me. Across the rest of the album, Haggard gathers his tales of heartache, rambling and rejection and etches them into the train tracks to freedom. It’s listenable, but not particularly arresting and soon wears thin. Haggard may have a suitably lovelorn voice, but I’d have liked a bit more grit mixed in. When every song amounts to either a breezy shuffle or melancholy waltz, it’s hard to stay too invested. The good songs are the most ragged and withdrawn. “House of Memories” is a lovely, wistful take on a heartbreak ballad, with the benefit of being the first slow number on the album before diminishing returns set in, and the introspective “Life in Prison” is clearly channelling Haggard’s lived experience. Conversely, the happier Haggard sounds, the less interesting the songs ultimately feel. “Mary’s Mine” is sweet enough but is hopelessly sentimental, verging on corny. “If You Want to Be My Woman”, perhaps intended as a lighthearted detour, is frivolous and throwaway. The best songs of all maintain an upbeat feel while conveying dejection and despair. “Skid Row” and “Mixed Up Mess of a Heart”, which marry irresistibly toe-tapping rhythms with jaunty melodies, chirping lead guitar accompaniments and rueful vocals, are my kind of country. “Drink Up And Be Somebody” is a nicely ambiguous number, remaining unsaid whether alcohol will heal or harm. So while there are some high notes, overall they fade into the background. Merle Haggard sounds like a very interesting character, but reading his life story left much more of an impression on me than these thirty long minutes did.

As many albums and artists I try, country still remains a “no” for me

Cowboy prison sadness

Never listened to Merle Haggard before - heard of him in movies and stuff, but here we are. 30 minutes of what seems to be the same song, or what sounds like the exact same song, just with slightly faster or slower parts. And boy, it is depressing. Maybe I want to do in jail for the wrongs I done, maybe I don't

No thanks.

Dullsville, USA.

It is a country album. Not good. No need to listen to it again.

I really like old school country and this a great album.

Dullsville, USA

Some good tunes, some not so good tunes, and interesting playing.

Wasn’t too familiar with these tunes exactly, but I’m bery familiar with the combination of Merle’s stories and Roy Ernest Nichols‘ guitar playing. There could be 5000 Merle Haggard albums that sound just like this, I’m really not sure, but it hits like this classic form at its peak, and it brings me joy.

Not my flavor but not bad. Feels more folk than what I think of country.

Country

Its difficult to love country albums when half of them sound identical to this. A dissapointing record.

So I was quite prepared to say "similar to Johnny Cash" (which I love), give it a 3 star rating and move on, possibly skipping a track or two. But the more I listened the more it wormed its way into my head. Glad to add this to my 4Star+ playlist

Liked it more than I thought I would. You can tell these are from the heart.

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

Not the kind of thing I'll listen to again, but the songwriting is amazing.

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

I've really gotten into southern fried rock during the last year and when I saw Merle Haggard, I got really excited. Then after listening to a few songs, I realized this album not southern fried, but more of the 60's/70's twangy kind of album. Very surprised it was from 2006. Even more surprised it was 28 songs! Anyway it wasn't flat out annoying, but was expecting different. I liked If you want to be my woman and Mixed up mess of a heart. Mixed up mess of a heart because of the line, "A little bitty woman gonna tear you apart." I married a beautiful, little bitty woman an can tell you through the 40 years of knowing/marriage, she can definitely tear me apart, when/if she wants to. But I don't want to ever be without her..... I'll give it a 2 because it made me think of Mindy!

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

3 Really thought I was familiar with Merle Haggard, but after listening to this album and his top songs, it’s clear I just know his name. While his voice sounds really familiar, it also sounds like every other country artist of the era, so it’s probably not safe to say I recognize it. I really dug the Western outlaw vibes on the first track, but everything started running together after that. Kinda wish Haggard leaned more into the whole lonesome fugitive thing thematically across the rest of the album instead of all the cheesy love ballads, but I still enjoyed most of them - they were short, sweet, and provided a consistent vibe that I feel would be fun at a country bar. Favorite songs: I’m a Lonesome Fugitive, Drink Up and Be Somebody, Skid Row

3.5

Plinky plonky country, not really my thing

Idk how I feel about Merle haggard really, but I did enjoy this album. 3.5

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

Textbook outlaw country, soaked in blood, crime, and heartbreak. Not entirely my cup of tea, but a well-executed and interesting album that does not overstay its welcome at 31 minutes.

I have so little to say about this one. I just don’t like country music. Not for any specific reason, it just doesn’t click. It’s the same with this album. I would give it a 1 because there weren’t any positive qualities for me, but there were also no negative qualities of it. It’s just not really for me.

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

Country just isn't a genre I have much familiarity or interest in, but this one is alright. It overemphasizes the accent a bit which always grates me (whether that's fair or not). I enjoy the lyrics and guitar playing though.

Too old fashioned style for my personal taste (especially considering that albums such as "Sgt. Peppers" or "The Velvet Underground & Nico" came out in the same year), but not a bad country record at all.

Nothing special

Its better than some of his colleagues in the C+W scene, but its still terribly basic

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

Classic Merle

Yes! Love this!

Thanks to this list I have come to realize, that my understanding of the country genre has been very limited. I associated it with upbeat, banjo-filled music that country is represented by in my country. These American classics - someone in other comment have dubbed them "og emo" - caught me a bit by surprise. I quite like it, but it does miss a bit of an edge for me. Wasn't very fond of vocals on this one either.

Whoehoe, onvervalste country. Geen Johnny Cash-niveau, maar het doet het ongetwijfeld goed als je met je vrachtwagen over Route 66 dendert. Vraag is wat er precies klassiek is aan dit album, maar ik ben dan ook geen kenner.

Wat een zeurplaat zeg...

Het is een weekje van 3en. Ook dit luistert best prima weg. Ik vind wel de wat snellere nummers leuker. Dan is het prima muziek voor on the road

bit dissapointing

Solid country album. I don't listen to a ton of country but I enjoyed the sound and easily made it through the whole record. That said, nothing really stood out that strongly to me either. I'd incorporate it into the rotation on those occasional times when I go on a country spree.

One of the greats.

meh country

A straight up and down country album - if that is what you are after

This album almost put me to sleep. Basic old-school country can be good, but this ain't it chief. Favorite song: If you want to be my woman Worst song: Life in prison

Merle is a country legend and this is easy listening, just not remarkable. 2/5 for I’m a Lonesome Fugitive.

This is so dull. Only 31 minutes, but still really dragged for me, little energy to it and nothing particularly worth listening to in the lyrics. I don't mind country, but this is pap. 1/5.

I really wanted to like this, but during most of the album I just kept thinking “please make it stop”. The guitar on ‘If you want to be my woman’ is pretty good.

I like some of this old country, but small doses. This one is good but blends together.

🤠

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

Well this is a contrast..... A bit of C&W. I'm no expert but i'd say this is smooth and well produced. Quite assured and reading the Wiki Merle was no stranger to hardship or jail. I prefer the slower tracks- I like the older, slower Country best.

The good stuff

One of the best voices in country

3.5 good for country, just not my typical listen

For as much of a non-fan as I am of country music, Merle Haggard's freewheeling delivery had a lovely infectious bite to it. His melodies are earworms and his lyrics can also be quite smart.

Struggling to think of something to write, whether it be positive or negative. At least its only 31 minutes long.

That tick-tack bass.

I like Merle, but this album doesn't really differentiate itself from all things Merle – or that era of country artists, for that matter.

The tone of his voice is almost the same on every song, regardless of the subject matter. Makes the whole thing sound unconvincing and uneventful. I will give Merle a second star however, because apparently he's an ex-con who actually lived through most of what he sings about, unlike many other artists who talk the talk, but never walked the walk.

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

i hate country. that being said i liked this. kinda groovy not overly long and has a ncie voice. wouldn’t hate to hear this in the background of a bar or somethign

good

Goddam Merle! You really know how to duggie! This is the most cohesive album since Sgt. Peppers, which came 83 days AFTER Merle magnum opus here (coincidence??? nah). Merle was really able to capture the pain of being fugitive through the use of some damn good honky-tonk music! Good stuff Merle! but not entirely my ting

I don't like country but this wasn't bad.

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

Tonight the Bottle Let me Down is surely the best track here and portends the better music that Haggard made later in his career. Just kidding, that's not on this album. Haggard, usually a country star favorite of mine from the early outlaw subgenre is music I usually love, but this album was just too early in his development to give me much to get excited about.

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

The sound of early country doesn’t get much more iconic than Merle Haggard, but it’s the slow, heavily-accented croon that I just can’t get behind. The faster songs are much better, but their energy is killed by the overabundant slower ones.

So I like bluegrass, I like some country, I have even been to MerleFest…and yet Merle Haggard is not my thing. The slow songs kill any joy I get from the faster paced songs. I also prefer the music when he is not singing. I would go back to MerleFest though.

Twangy country from back in the day. Feels like sitting around a camp fire after hearing some cattle. Not really my thing, but pleasant enough to which to listen.

Sad cowboy jams

I don't like country

Country music isn't for me, but I enjoyed this a lot more than anything else from the genre released in the last 20 years. 2.5/5

It’s good country music, I just don’t like country music

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

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

Yeah typical classic country. Those lonesome vocals; that steel guitar; its all a bit dour though feels authentic (he did go to jail) and consistent. (though it gets a bit more upbeat towards the end) Not for me. 3

Very good country album from Merle Haggard. Very early in his career. Big fan of Merle.

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

country, bof

Country. Un poco aburrido.

Nope. Just nope.

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

2, I don't want to get that lonely

no.

Merle Haagard once said to me "Nigel, we've known eachother for 15 years, but I've never actually felt your dick. Do you mind if I give it a quick squeeze?" I was taken aback by his utterance, but allowed him to squeeze his hardest on my manhood. Merle squeezed it so hard that it eventually went blue. I thanked him, he thanked me, and we never spoke again.

Oh, it's country. Fuck off then

Nope really don’t like country music. Not for me.

this was country

2.5 / 5. Good old-time Country music with a lot of heartbreak and prison songs.

Country clássico que fluiu bem.

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

My co-judge says prefers this "old time country" to New country. I like the slide guitar (though a more adept guitar player might not) and overall twang. This is the sort of thing I'd love to be playing at a greasy spoon on a Sunday morning while I read the paper, drink black coffee and eat hashbrowns and Canadian bacon.

Glad to be getting some country albums this week instead of the same ol same but nothing crazy to write home about

Another country bumpkin album, two in a row, dad gum! Merle is a bit of a legend though, I remember going back and listening to his music when he passed not too long ago. He's got one of those great longing, wistful voices that fit perfectly in the sad country style. Lots of emo type tracks on here, but some lively ones too. I definitely prefer this over the Louvin Brothers, Merle's got the sauce. Favorite tracks: I'm a Lonesome Fugitive, My Rough and Rowdy Ways, Drink Up and Be Somebody, Mary's Mine. Album art: Fantastic shot of Merle looking like a fugitive on the lam, gripping the train car for dear life. He looks like a genuine badass, even if it's just acting. I really like this one. 3.5/5

swinging!

Nope

Another intesting story around the album but the opening track didn't really grab me. Nor did much else on the record except for Mixed Up Mess Of A Heart.

Eh, I suspect I'd like this a whole lot if I were bourbon drunk in some seedy beer-sign-lit bar in America, but I'm not, so it didn't really grab me. Fave track - "Mary's Mine" maybe - I enjoyed him doing slide guitar with his voice...

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

Genre: Bakersfield Sound 3/5 Merle Haggard, one of the forerunners of what has now become known as Bakersfield Sound (country music featuring heavier emphasis on electric instrumentation rather than acoustic) alongside contemporaries like Buck Owens, Dwight Yoakam, and Waylon Jennings, is one of music's all-time legends. He's written some of Country's most memorable songs, but on this venture here, featuring the talents of the backing band The Strangers, it unfortunately never quite hits that big rock button that I was hoping it would. Throughout the runtime, we're gifted with low-tempo rockabilly ballads mixed with low-energy country rock cuts that blurs the line between music and background music. Well-arranged and softly produced, it isn't offensive to the ears, actually quite pleasant to listen to, especially the title track and opener, I'm a Lonesome Fugitive. Unfortunately for me, the rest of the album plays out like generic country rock. Merle's got a great voice, and Glen Campbell rips a couple great guitar licks in this, but it's fairly tepid as it plays along. Decent, and I'm sure those country fans out there love it, but I'll stick to the heavier stuff.

p121. 1967. 1 star Poor man's Johnny Cash. All the worst excesses of country music are here. I really struggled to listen to the entire album. On the plus side the songs are short. Definitely not my thing. "If I could die/My pain might go away". I wish he would.

I would call it a classic of the genre.

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

Not bad for a country album, not my favourite genre but it was good.

yes mama!!! I love a 60s cowboy

I dig it

Yes.

While still miles better than today's country offerings, this one falls a bit flat for me just based on preference. Much more in the Johnny Cash-style uptempo lawless classic country camp, as opposed to the slower, slide-guitar and chorus-driven love ballads found here.

I want to see 60s fall down my rankings less than anybody, but here we are.

Bit too twangy/country for my tastes, but some catchy tunes there.

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

Not for me. A bit too crooner-y.

OG outlaw country. Not as refined as Willie, but it has a rough and rowdy charm.

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

Classic

Pretty good outlaw country singing with some great playing generally a little too tame for my very specific country tastes. 3 🌟

Old timey country in the best of ways. 4.5

Older country, not offensive, but not my fav.

Not bad but just didn't stand out to me at all

I like a lot of old country - Marty Robbins, Jimmy Dean, etc. I even like some "hurtin' country" - Patsy Cline, etc. So I was excited for some country, but...this album fucking sucks. It's very hard to pick out the worst of the bunch, but what the fuck are the songs "If You Want to Be My Woman" and "Mary's Mine"? It makes me appreciate someone like Johnny Cash, because some of his songs are adjacent to songs on this album but somehow manage to be actually good. The only good thing about this album is that most of the songs are over mercifully quickly (almost all are <3 minutes). If I had to be generous, I would say the first song, "I'm a Lonesome Fugitive", was a song that I thought was okay. It does not save this album from getting a "1".

Nothing offensive about this. Would likely not listed to again though.

Okay, so, this was better than I thought it would be. Still not something I would listen to on my own, but it made me want to head out on a road trip down south.

Not the biggest country fan in the world, but I'm enjoying this so far. The title track was really good. Afterwards, it's a bit standard country in a somewhat forgettable way, but it's decent. I like his voice and it's definitely at least good country music.

Really not my style. Just not the music I enjoy and seems very narcissistic and annoying, but obviously a product of the times. Still, do not want.

MERLE!

If you're not clinically depressed but want to be, I highly recommend listening to this album. If you are clinically depressed then, for the love of God, please avoid. I'm somewhat amazed that albums containing swear words merit a Parental Advisory warning yet this album - which clearly advocates suicide as the only remedy for human suffering - is remarkably uncensored.

no

Fínt country frá þeim sjöunda, stjörnugjöf eftir því. Mér fannst síðasta lagið skemmtilegast.

Not for me - but seems like good 60s country

Absolutely hate this twangy shit.

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

Perfection

Vinyl VMP

I am not sad or drunk enough for this one to really hit. But I do think it's a pretty decent album honestly.

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

guitarrinha maneira

I was very pleasantly surprised with how much I enjoyed this album! If I'm going to listen to country, this "cowboy" folky style is definitely what I prefer and I was almost sad when it was over so quickly. Not something I would seek out for daily listening but I definitely enjoyed it and would listen to Merle Haggard again when I'm in the mood for this type of music

🤮🤮🤮

Music is simple but refined, and Merle’s voice is so calming. This is right where big country music began.

Not TERRIBLE country, but also not GOOD country, if that exists.

gott stuff

Haggard's working class outlaw country in I'm a Lonesome Fugitive has some interesting moments, but as a non-american that normally don't listen to country music, it's impossible not to compare his music with that of Johnny Cash and the comparison is not good for Haggard.

It was fine

Pleasant enough "Country Bears" music.

The A to B of country and western.

self-pity is a steel guitar

a bunch of cowboy music

Country just isn't for me I think.

This is the exact kind of country that I hated before listening to this playlist. Nothing's changed so far. "I feel so saaaaaaaaaaddddd that <pause> you left meeeeeee, <pause> I'll drive a waaaaaaaaaaayy, in <pause> my truck" /s

Meeeeeerle Haggard

Poor Merle sounds a little...... haggard. Dunno what he was so heartbroken about, he'd just married Buck Owens' ex-wife! Generatorland is a small world indeed.

I like a bit of country, but struggle to enjoy this style of country singing + lap steel guitars. To my untrained ear, the vocals in this style are far too jovial and friendly to be taken seriously as a vagrant / outlaw / prisoner / whichever hard-lifed individual he's portraying. I'm perhaps doing Merle a massive disservice (having done no research), underestimating the man's authentic nasty side, and showing ignorance to the amount of influence he has had on the artists coming after him. Aaah well

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

Eehhhh the songs aren’t bad, but just very much not my type of music. I think in certain settings the honky-Toni sound is really nice, but for just listening on my own it’s not my cup of tea. 4/10

Mon péché cute

Point fort, la durée de 30 min.

All Cowboys Are Boring (sauf Dolly Parton)

Not my kind

3.5

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

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

Clean cut country just before the alt.country started to surface. Decent songs: heartbreak, booze and prison. It's all there. I find it hard to listen to most country albums from start to finish, Johnny Cash notwithstanding. I made it to the end with Merle. Might revisit.

Saved Prior: None Off Rip: I'm A Lonesome Fugitive, Drink Up And Be Somebody, My Rough And Rowdy Ways, Mixed Up Mess Of A Heart Cutting Edge: None Overall Notes: Love the little guitar flourishes he mixes in. Classic country music fare, but seems like he kinda wrote the book so I'll round up.

Not for me. It’s like listening the same boring song 20 times.

when i listen to this it sounds bad to me?

Excellent album - very evocative.

Gloriously simple old country.

Somone who knows their genre and excels in it.

I expected to hate this record and ... I was not entirely wrong. This whole sad-sack, outlaw-country crooner schtick is exceptionally cheesy and comes off disingenuous. That said, I can't deny the musicianship and high production values. But I just hate the way Merle slides into every damn note like the last-chair trombone player in a middle school band. I mean, just hit the note, my man.

Having read about Merle’s life, I found the songs about prison poignant and beautiful. Beyond that it’s a neat little country album, predictable in its subject matter and style. Surprisingly good even if you don’t like country and Merle’s voice sounds great.

2... ?

Merle has a phenomenal voice. This didn't do too much for me personally but I'd like to give props for great performances, excellent production, and strong songwriting.

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

Classic country that's not horrible but definitely not my thing at all though I understand the appeal if you're from this part of the world. 5/10.

sounds a like an alright classic country album

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

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

Middle of the road. But it’s like an old country dirt road. 6/10

Ye ugh country

The old country lives

Country animado. Ni fu ni fa.

Country, sin más.

Wel okay, niet echt nummers die er op het eerste gezicht uitspringen

First Listen. I don't know any of the songs. It is a really old style of country music. For me, it was hard to get into in 2021 for the first listen. 2/5

Сначала подумал что круто, потом подумал, когда заиграет следующая песня? Оказывается, они все одинаковые.

Outlaw country is my jam. Really liked this one

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

This feels like a purer country artist than Cash, which is what inspired him to make music. Unsurprisingly, this sound doesn't strike me very positively, but I would not say it was the worst either. Just middle of the road.

It's easy to predict what would this album offer. Just by looking at the simple cover of him hanging on a train can infer that this album will be another one of those country stuff. And my prediction of this being an acoustic country jam album which has nothing special in it is true. But far from the simple songwriting and the overall generic sound, his voice is pretty good. Apparently a bunch of songs written by a woman Haggard didn't even know (probably "The Strangers" in the name "Merle Haggard and the Strangers"), these are songs about being a fugitive, it conjures images of wild west thingy in my mind. Fast paced and action packed. But that's not the case with this album, it's so casual it seems to be sentimental. Perhaps that's why a handful of people wondered if Haggard himself had a little prison history or experience. Overall, not really a bad one, but not a remarkably good one that is worth checking out either.

good ol' country

Classic Outlaw Country

Charming and quaint. Leagues better than modern country music imo. I enjoy the old twangy smooth slide guitar sound. I personally wouldn't choose to listen to this but i appreciate its charm.

I just can't do it. I am so sorry. I've tried so many times in my life to give country a try, but I just can't do it. I truly do not enjoy it. Honestly, I can tell this is really what classic country sounds like, and I'm sure a country fan would love the album, but it's not for me. I listened to the first two songs in full, then skimmed through the rest and every song sounded exactly the same except Mary's Mine and Skid Row switched up the pace a little bit with how they sounded.

Lyrically/narratively interesting, foot tapping, but not my favourite vocal sound or music style. Some good twangy guitar tones. Good old fashioned concise songs under 3 minutes.

Not my cup of gruel.

Good music

classic country

The oh so young Merle Haggard aged so very well. A young guy telling these stories is interesting. An old guy, damn becomes credible.

Not really my thing, tbh. Not a 1, as was obviously musical, but just not something I'd listen to lots. Fav new track: I'm A Lonesome Fugitive

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

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

Really good timeless stuff.

Country. Está bien. Un 3

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

Ik 🤝 cowboy albums

I'm not a big country fan, but I appreciate this old-time, authentic country music so much more than today's popular trash. 3 stars.