Working in Tennessee

by Merle Haggard

Overview

Working in Tennessee, Merle Haggard's second album for Vanguard, plays a little slower and softer than 2010's I Am What I Am, a record where Hag gently dwelled on his mortality. There are times where his age crosses his mind -- particularly on "Sometimes I Dream," where he casually lists off things that aren't likely to pass his way again -- but generally, he's ready to "Laugh It Off" as he gripes about what's playing on the radio, smokes a little dope, and enjoys playing a little bit of blues as he looks back to the past, even cutting a couple of old favorites ("Cocaine Blues," "Jackson") and a new version of "Working Man Blues." Hag never rushes things, never turns up the volume, his western swing now bearing a closer resemblance to the gentlemanly amiability of Hank Thompson instead of the wild, woolly Bob Wills. He's proceeding at the pace of a 74-year-old legend with nothing to prove, yet he's not resting on his laurels, he's just doing what he's always done: singing songs so expertly his virtuosity almost goes unnoticed. ~ Stephen Thomas Erlewine

Product Details

Release Date:	04/19/2019
Label:	Craft Records
UPC:	0888072084117
Rank:	62876

Tracks

1. Working in Tennessee
2. Down on the Houseboat
3. Cocaine Blues
4. What I Hate
5. Sometimes I Dream
6. Under the Bridge
7. Too Much Boogie Woogie
8. Truck Driver's Blues
9. Laugh It Off
10. Workin' Man Blues
11. Jackson

Album Credits

Performance Credits

Merle Haggard   Primary Artist,Guitar,Vocals
Doug Colosio   Piano,Keyboards
Don Markham   Saxophone
Gene Chrisman   Drums
David Hood   Bass
Rob Ickes   Dobro,Slide Guitar,Guitar (Steel)
Red Lane   Guitar
Willie Nelson   Guitar,Vocals,Featured Artist
Bobby Wood   Piano
Joe Manuel   Dobro
Scott Joss   Banjo,Fiddle,Guitar,Vocals (Background)
Reggie Young   Guitar
George Receli   Drums,Percussion
Tim Howard   Drums,Guitar
Ben Haggard   Guitar,Vocals,Featured Artist
Theresa Haggard   Vocals,Featured Artist,Vocals (Background)
Biff Adams   Drums
Jeff Ingraham   Drums
Kevin Williams   Bass

Technical Credits

Doug Colosio   Composer
Gaby Rodgers   Composer
Jenessa Haggard   Composer
Jerry Leiber   Composer
Merle Haggard   Duet,Composer,Producer
T.J. "Red" Arnall   Composer
Billy Edd Wheeler   Composer
Lou Bradley   Mixing,Engineer,Producer
Scott Joss   Harmony
Myriam Santos   Photography
Benny Quinn   Mastering
Tim Howard   Composer
Bill Bentley   A&R
Carrie Smith   Package Design
Theresa Haggard   Duet,Composer