hagfest on baker ave
I wanted to take Suzan to see Merle Haggard at the Paramont tonite, but it didn’t happen. The cold-like symptoms I’ve been trying to suppress reappeared, I felt rundown, and tickets cost a pretty $49.50 apiece. So instead we stayed home and listened to my ancient collection of Hag vinyl. OK I actually played 3 out of 4 albums; we didn’t listen to his ‘Farewell to Elvis’ — in fact I’m not sure I’ve ever listened to that one — I just bought it for the cover. But the Hag is a great songwriter and singer who evolved, at least through 1981, the date of ‘Rainbow Stew’, the last of his albums which I own (and my favorite; the title track is a driving, upbeat hippie song?!). I kind of stopped listening to country music shortly thereafter. So I don’t know if he’s still writing new songs, if they’re better than ever, or if he’s coasting off his long career. But I love his songs because they’re so real. And he’s got such a great deep voice. Hats off to you Merle. Give ‘em a few chills in the Paramount tonite.