Merle Haggard
Chicago Wind

(Capitol)

First Appeared in The Music Box, January 2006, Volume 13, #1

Written by Dan MacIntosh

Anybody who still thinks that Merle Haggard is the conservative reactionary reflected in his old song Okie From Muskogee obviously hasn’t heard his latest effort Chicago Wind. With its pro-civil liberties message, Where’s All the Freedom easily could be the theme song for the A.C.L.U., and Rebuild America First reveals his displeasure with the ongoing war in Iraq. Haggard has never been hesitant about mixing social commentary with his country music, but there’s more than just political lyrical content here. On What I’ve Been Trying to Say, he explores the difficulties of communicating within a relationship, while on Some of Us Fly, a duet with Toby Keith, he details life’s everyday ups and downs. With White Man Singin’ the Blues, Haggard states what many have long believed: that great country music can be as affecting as the blues. Not everything on Chicago Wind flies, however, and despite its brassy colorations, Mexico falls flat. Nevertheless, the album marks Haggard’s return to Capitol, for which he recorded some of his best material, and without a doubt, it proves that hasn't lost his touch.

Editor's Note: This review has been edited and reprinted with the full
permission of Country Standard Time.

Chicago Wind is available from
Amazon.com. To order, Click Here!

For Canadian orders, please Click Here!

For UK orders, please Click Here!

Ratings

1 Star:   Pitiful
2 Stars: Listenable
3 Stars: Respectable
4 Stars: Excellent
5 Stars: Can't Live Without It!!

Copyright © 2006 The Music Box