Merle Haggard : I Am What I Am :: Review
Merle Haggard is one of the last remaining voices of authentic country music and he’s back on a new label, Vanguard Records, with a new album, “I Am What I Am” which depicts a more relaxed and romantic variation of the outlaw suitable for a company that Lawrence Welk built. Oddly enough this isn’t fogey music by any stretch of the imagination, so you shouldn’t expect that Haggard would be performing “Tiny Bubbles” in the retirement home any time soon.
In his career that stretches over 50 years, Merle Haggard has seen plenty of changes but on “I Am What I Am” he sticks with the down home sounds of an acoustic guitar with basic bare bones accompaniment courtesy of guitarist Reggie Young, drums by George Receli and dobro by Rob Ickes. The laid back playing accentuates the legend’s honeyed voice while never over stepping its bounds and becoming too flashy. Subtlety is the key on this record as Haggard offers rueful commentary on how things have gone downhill in this country, “I Have Seen It Go Away,” and expresses a pinch of mortality on “How Did You Find Me Here.”
Haggard is reflective upon his ups and downs in “Bad Actor” and the nostalgia infused “Oil Tanker Train” where he recalls a childhood memory. On “I Am What I Am,” Haggard does not portray himself as a rowdy character but does throw in knowing winks to his wayward days on the Tex-Mex flavored “Mexican Bands” and the hokey bonus track, “It’s Gonna Be Me.” In the toned-down title cut, Haggard further defines his essence while managing to still sound restless almost acknowledging that he can’t be pegged down. Given Merle’s extensive career and achievements, he shouldn’t be expected to settle for just anything.
Rating: 
