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Jeez, the Reaper called in another, The Hag.
http://www.theguardian.com/music/2016/apr/06/merle-haggard-dead-country-music-icon
I'd have to admit I've not many heroes but Merle was one.
To me he was real country, someone who was authentic and you could believe he'd lived at least some of what he sang. He [i]will[/i] be missed.
Looks like the Oakie from Muskogee finally has gone home.
Sorry dude I guessed we posted at the same time.
A great loss, he was one of a kind and as genuine as genuine gets.
He certainly was.
There are some decent links in the guardian article for those who are interested.
Think I'll have to go change my ringtone back to Workin' Mans Blues, mark of respect.
Always loved Okee From Muskogee. Think the first time I heard it was on the Platoon soundtrack. Father of the Bakersfield Sound and a real country legend.
Didnt know he had covered if i could only fly..I love that song.. runs off to spotify
A_A - The version on the same-titled album is the best one. I was never sure he could cut it convincingly in the versions when he was younger. As an older man in 2000-ish, the cracks in his voice made that song shine. Bit like Glenn Campbell's re-recording of Rhinestone Cowboy, it's a song that (IMHO) got better with it's imperfections.
In the words of the Dixie Chicks - "They sound tired, but they don't sound Haggard; They got money but they ain't got Cash" - now we don't either. RIP Merle.
I prefer the original by Blaze Foley on the Ausin Outhouse recording.
I prefer the original by Blaze Foley on the Ausin Outhouse recording
Aye, I meant the best of Haggard's versions!