| The Peer Sessions - Merle Haggard | |
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Reviewed by Jolene Downs
Merle Haggard is releasing yet another album that will fast become a favorite in the collections of true Country Music lovers. It is simply titled The Peer Sessions. These songs are the result of many years' worth of songs from the Peermusic group. Ralph S. Peer may very possibly have started the Country Music Industry of today. He set up shop in July of 1927. In a matter of ten days he made 76 recordings of 19 acts. Among those acts were The Carter Family and Jimmie Rodgers. These recordings would become known as the Bristol Sessions. His organization that started out with just four people would grow into a huge publishing empire found in 28 countries and representing music from almost every genre.
As the organization grew, people were hired to oversee each of the different musical genres. Roy Horton joined the Peer group in the late 1940's. He had a natural love for the country music and it's roots. He was an early chairman of the CMA and a member of the Country Music Hall of Fame. He maintained relationships with all the Country Artists of that time and remains close friends with many of them. Merle Haggard is counted among those close friends.
This project started in 1995 when Roy Horton had the idea of Merle recording some of the Peer music "standards." Over the next two years, Roy and Merle chose the songs to include in the album. They started recording in September of 1996. The project was complete in late 1999. The songs were recorded in Merle's Northern California ranch and at Bradley's Barn just outside of Nashville. This album is being released this year in honor of the 75th anniversary of the Bristol Sessions. It is an album of standards from the Peermusic catalog.
The music in this album more than lives up to its background history. It is classic Merle through and through. The songs are all ballads or bluesy. Merle even does a little yodeling. There is no one that can sing like Merle, he is in a class by himself.
I knew I was in for a treat when the album kicked off with Merle at his classic best singing "Peach Pickin' Time in Georgia." You can almost hear him chuckling to himself as he talks about wandering around the country looking for "peaches," and not the ones that are found on trees. I have to admit that I truly enjoyed "Sweethearts or Strangers." They can't make up their minds whether they should be together as sweethearts or apart as strangers. It is a very haunting tune. He decides he will always love her no matter what she says. "It Makes No Difference Now" is also another great haunting melody that Merle does so well.
One song that truly stands out is "Hang On To The Memories." Merle performs this song as a duet with Jimmie Davis. Jimmie is probably best known for recording "You Are My Sunshine." He was also elected Governor of Louisiana for two terms starting in 1944. Merle has looked up to Jimmie as both a writer and an artist. The idea for recording the duet for this project came when Merle performed at Jimmie's 98th birthday party and they performed "You Are My Sunshine" together.
I strongly recommend this album for anyone who enjoys the roots of country music. The whole album is packed with superbly written songs and they are performed with class as only Merle can do.
Track List:
Album cover, used with permission of Audium.
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