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Album Review: Merle Haggard, "Chicago Wind"
All one really needs to know about "Chicago Wind" is that it doesn't contain anything remotely resembling "As Time Goes By," "Stardust" or any of the other ill-suited standards that ol' Hag tried on for size on his curious 2004 collection, "Unforgettable."
The fact that there are a few so-so offerings on "Chicago Wind," including the title track, doesn't seem to matter much. Overall, the album is very strong and, more importantly, it marks the singer's welcome return to performing country music originals. (The person who recommended that Haggard—-who ranks as one of the greatest songwriters of the last 40 years—-follow Rod Stewart's path into the Great American Songbook should be fired.)
Haggard's voice is in fine form on this collection, conveying his signature blend of velvet-glove-fisted strength and late-night heartache on the glorious ballads "Leavin's Not the Only Way to Go" and "What I've Been Meaning to Say."
Haggard, an outspoken critic basically since the very start of his career, has moderate success with this album's two politically charged tracks, "Rebuild America First" and "Where's All the Freedom." But neither of those tunes can hold a candle to the fond, if begrudging, farewell to a father "I Still Can't Say Goodbye," which ranks among Haggard's finest moments.
