The Fightin' Side of Me (album)
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The Fightin' Side of Me | ||||
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The Fightin' Side of Me is the second live album by Merle Haggard and The Strangers, released in 1970. Like the song "Okie from Muskogee" led to a quickly released album, The Fightin' Side of Me was also quickly released because of the run of success of Haggard's patriotic hit single "The Fightin' Side of Me".
Background
The success of "Okie from Muskogee" brought Haggard's music to the attention of listeners and performers outside the country music field.
Ironically, Haggard had wanted to follow "Okie from Muskogee" with "Irma Jackson," a song that dealt head-on with an interracial romance between a white man and an African-American woman. His producer
Recording
The Fightin' Side of Me was recorded at the Civic Center Hall in
Reception
Review scores | |
---|---|
Source | Rating |
AllMusic | ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() |
Christgau's Record Guide | C+[4] |
AllMusic critic Stephen Thomas Erlewine stated in his review: "Like its predecessor, Okie from Muskogee, The Fightin' Side of Me was a rush-released live album designed to cash in on the success of his ultra-patriotic hit single of the same name... It's a fun record, and one that gives a better indication of what a typical Haggard concert was like in the early '70s, but it's ultimately a minor entry in his catalog."[3] Music critic Robert Christgau wrote "This is turning into a cartoon—once again a jingoistic anthem sells a live album."[4]
Track listing
- "Introduction by Carlton Haney" – 1:15
- "I Take a lot of Pride in what I Am" (Merle Haggard) – 1:52
- "Corrine, Corrina" (J. Mayo Williams, Bo Chatmon) – 2:24
- "Every Fool Has a Rainbow" (Haggard) – 2:29
- "T. B. Blues" (Jimmie Rodgers) – 2:12
- "When Did Right Become Wrong" (Tommy Collins) – 2:44
- "Philadelphia Lawyer" (Woody Guthrie) – 2:55
- "Stealin' Corn" (Roy Nichols, Norm Hamlet) – 1:28
- "Harold's Super Service" (Bobby Wayne) – 2:05
- "Medley of Impersonations: Devil Woman, I'm Movin' On, Folsom Prison Blues, Jackson, Orange Blossom Special, Love's Gonna Live Here" – 5:02
- "Today I Started Loving You Again" (Haggard) – 2:00
- "Okie from Muskogee" (Merle Haggard, Eddie Burris) – 2:48
- "The Fightin' Side of Me" (Haggard) – 2:52
Personnel
- Merle Haggard– vocals, guitar
- Roy Nichols – lead guitar
- Norman Hamlet – steel guitar, dobro
- Bobby Wayne - rhythm guitar, harmony vocals
- Dennis Hromek – bass, background vocals
- Biff Adam – drums
with
- Bonnie Owens – harmony vocals
and
- Chubby Wise - fiddle
Chart positions
Year | Chart | Position |
---|---|---|
1970 | Billboard Country albums | 1 |
References
- ^ Cantwell, David (2013). Merle Haggard: The Running Kind. p.154
- ^ Down Every Road 1962–1994 compilation album. Liner notes by Daniel Cooper
- ^ a b Erlewine, Stephen Thomas. "The Fightin' Side of Me > Review". AllMusic. Retrieved February 20, 2015.
- ^ ISBN 089919026X. Retrieved February 24, 2019 – via robertchristgau.com.