My Farewell to Elvis
My Farewell to Elvis | ||||
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Studio album by | ||||
Released | October 1977 | |||
Length | 25:10 | |||
Label | MCA | |||
Producer | Fuzzy Owen | |||
Merle Haggard chronology | ||||
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Singles from My Farewell to Elvis | ||||
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Alternative Cover | ||||
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My Farewell to Elvis is the twenty-seventh studio album by American country music singer Merle Haggard, released in 1977 and his second release for MCA Records. It reached Number 6 on the Country album chart. The single "From Graceland to the Promised Land" reached number 4 on the Billboard Country Singles chart.[1] The album is a tribute to the music of Elvis Presley, who died on August 16, 1977. He is backed by Roy Nichols, Ronnie Reno, and Mark Yeary of the Strangers.
Background
Haggard, who had previously recorded tribute albums to
The album features Presley's old backing vocal group the Jordanaires and drummer Buddy Harman. Ironically, James Burton did not take part in the project. Haggard chose to record only hits, including Presley's first record "That's All Right" and his Christmas classic "Blue Christmas." The album was a success, but it has a polarizing reputation among Haggard fans and critics.[citation needed]
Critical reception
Review scores | |
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Source | Rating |
AllMusic | ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() |
The Rolling Stone Album Guide | ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() |
Al Campbell of
Track listing
- "From Graceland to the Promised Land" (Merle Haggard) – 2:28
- "In the Ghetto" (Mac Davis) – 2:55
- "Don't Be Cruel" (Otis Blackwell, Elvis Presley) – 1:59
- "Mike Stoller) – 2:50
- "Love Me Tender" (Vera Matson, Presley) – 2:42
- "That's All Right" (Arthur Crudup) – 2:29
- "Heartbreak Hotel" (Mae Boren Axton, Tommy Durden, Presley) – 2:18
- "Blue Christmas" (Billy Hayes, Jay W. Johnson) – 2:23
- "Blue Suede Shoes" (Carl Perkins) – 2:01
- "Are You Lonesome Tonight?" (Roy Turk, Lou Handman) – 2:48
- "Merle's Farewell to Elvis" (Haggard) – :17
Personnel
- Merle Haggard– vocals, guitar
- Roy Nichols - guitar
- Ronnie Reno – guitar
- Dave Kirby - guitar
- Red Lane - guitar
- Mark Yeary - piano
- Johnny Gimble - fiddle
- Buddy Emmons - steel guitar, dobro
- Bunky Keels - piano
- Bob Moore - bass
- Buddy Harman - drums
- Sheldon Kurland Strings - strings
- The Jordanaires - backing vocals
Chart positions
Year | Chart | Position |
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1977 | Billboard Country albums | 6 |
Billboard 200 | 133 |
References
- ^ Whitburn, Joel (2004). The Billboard Book Of Top 40 Country Hits: 1944-2006, Second edition. Record Research. p. 147.
- ISBN 978-0-671-45275-9.
- ^ a b Campbell, Al. "My Farewell to Elvis > Review". AllMusic. Retrieved March 2, 2015.
- ^ The Rolling Stone Album Guide. Random House. 1992. p. 299.
- ISBN 978-0-292-71771-8.