Troubadour

• Track Listing

Merle Haggard's overlooked and underappreciated MCA recordings capture the great country singer-songwriter reemerging from his mid-career crossroads. 111 tracks spanning from 1976 to 1981, covering eight LPs plus the 'lost' album later sold to CBS. Four unissued songs, including the recently discovered original recording of Troubadour. Three songs never on album, including The Bull And The Beaver, his #8 country duet with Leona Williams. Both hit singles from the 'Bronco Billy' soundtrack, including Misery And Gin and Merle Haggard's chart-topping duet with Clint Eastwood, Bar Room Buddies. Lavish 68-page hardcover book with rare photos and an extensive essay covering Merle Haggard's MCA years. His celebrated, career-defining 11-year run with Capitol Records behind him, Merle Haggard was in a creative lull and pondering retirement when he signed with MCA. But after taking a six-month hiatus from performing, a refreshed and newly confident Merle Haggard triumphantly returned to the footlights and the recording studios. His singing voice now mellowed into a comfortable baritone, and his newly retooled lineup of the Strangers could effortlessly shift from country to swing to down-home blues without hesitation. More importantly, an inspired Haggard began writing great songs again. This 4-CD collection gathers every existing master that Haggard recorded for MCA Records between 1976 and 1981. Among the highlights: My Farewell To Elvis, Merle Haggard's heartfelt tribute to his musical contemporary Elvis Presley. 'Serving 190 Proof,' the critically acclaimed, semi-autobiographical 1979 album that signaled Haggard's future musical direction. 'Back To The Barrooms,' the 1980 Jimmy Bowen-produced classic that yielded Haggard's chart-topping single I Think I'll Just Stay Here And Drink and Leonard, his homage to a troubled friend,.

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