Tulare Dust – A Songwriters Tribute To Merle Haggard (Various Artists)
This reissue has a variety of artists who contribute to the songs of Merle Haggard. There are 36 total for a comprehensive overview of Mr. Haggard’s career & how much these artists enjoyed his work. In over a 55-year career (1961-2016). It’s an all-star Americana tribute (& Merle did the same when Elvis passed away with “My Farewell To Elvis” LP). This album focuses on Haggard’s songwriting prowess, & the recordings are commendable. Merle had 38 #1 hits on the country charts & 4 Grammy Awards.
This single disc reissue with 15 tracks written by Mr. Haggard, Tulare Dust – A Songwriters Tribute To Merle Haggard – Various Artists (Dropped Nov 7/Craft Recordings) was produced by Dave Alvin & Tom Russell. With them are Iris Dement, Peter Case, Dwight Yoakam, Robert Earl Keen, Joe Ely, Rosie Flores, Steve Young, Marshall Crenshaw, Barrence Whitfield, Lucinda Williams, Billy Joe Shaver, Katy Moffat & John Doe.
The difference between the covers & the Merle Haggard originals is that Merle lived these songs. There’s a slight difference between the two. However, the artists, with their skills, open the songs to respectful interpretations. The opener is perfectly rendered by Tom Russell (“Tulare Dust/They’re Tearin’ The Labor Camps Down”) with a vocal tone that gives the song its richness. The rockier Peter Case is well-suited to “A Working Man Can’t Get Nowhere Today.” These songs sound as if Bob Dylan could’ve written them had he remained a protest-type singer like Phil Ochs. But he didn’t. So, Merle picked up some slack without sounding too anti-anything.
Robert Earl Keen & the Sunshine Boys do “Daddy Frank” a typical country song. Merle could tell a story, the type jazz sax player Charlie Parker enjoyed & probably pointed out to his musicians when he said, “listen to the stories, man.” The Barrence Whitfield cover of “Irma Jackson” is energetic & well-arranged.
Joe Ely’s “White Line Fever” is more contemporary. Mainstream sweet, while the female vocalists all do a fine job, Rosie Flores is exceptional on “My Own Kind of Hat,” a good message for children about being unique. All artists assert themselves well. The songs are faithful to the originals with their own light artistic touch woven through the Haggard recipe. Lucinda Williams’ “You Don’t Have Very Far To Go,” with her achingly sad voice, is country perfect. Lovely.
“Ramblin’ Fever” is ideal in the throat of Billy Joe Shaver’s indomitable style. If you can’t get Guy Clark, Shaver is a reliable alternative. Dave Alvin is deftly crafted in this pensive version with gently picked guitar on “Kern River.” His intonation, phrasing & tone are articulate.
The LP is never boring.
Highlights – “Tulare Dust/They’re Tearin’ The Labor Camps Down,” “A Working man Can’t Get Nowhere Today,” “Daddy Frank,” “White Line Fever,” “My Own Kind of Hat,” “Irma Jackson,” “You Don’t Have Very Far To Go,” “Ramblin’ Fever,” & “Kern River.”
CD @ Apple & Amazon + https://craftrecordings.com/products/tulare-dust-a-songwriters-tribute-to-merle-haggard-digital-album
