Merle's 1981 Epic Records Debut
-
Includes his classics "Big City" & "My Favorite Memory"
-
Features 2 unreleased bonus tracks "Call Me" & "I Won't
Give Up My Train" (duet w/ Roger Miller)
-
New personal reflection from Merle Haggard
-
Incisive new essay by Haggard expert Daniel Cooper
-
20-BIT digitally remastered
Big City, from 1981, was Merle Haggard's 47th album, including
Greatest Hits compilations. But it also marked his debut for Epic records
and featured among its ten tracks four new Haggard originals, plus another
four which he co-wrote. Included are Haggard classics "Are The Good Times
Really Over," "My Favorite Memory," a remake of his "You Don't Have Very Far
To Go," and the title track. Recorded in a 48-hour period, Big City shows
Haggard (b. 1937) at his keenly observational, wide-ranging best. Haggard
is backed consummately by his crackerjack veteran band, the Strangers, who
move easily from pure country to jazz-tinged Western Swing. Their personal
includes a pair of alumni from Bob Wills' legendary Texas Playboys, fiddler
Jimmy Belkin and fiddler-mandolinist Tiny Moore. The finely wrought vocal
harmonies are by singer/songwriter Leona Williams.
