The Bluegrass Sessions (Merle Haggard album)

The Bluegrass Sessions
Studio album by
ReleasedOctober 2, 2007
GenreBluegrass
Length41:05
LabelMcCoury Music
Hag Records
ProducerRonnie Reno
Merle Haggard chronology
Last of the Breed
(2007)
The Bluegrass Sessions
(2007)
I Am What I Am
(2010)
Professional ratings
Review scores
SourceRating
AllMusic[1]
Freight Train Boogie[2]

The Bluegrass Sessions is the sixty-first studio album by American country music singer and songwriter Merle Haggard. This album was released on October 2, 2007, on the McCoury Music and Hag Records.

The bulk of the album was cut live in the studio in one day, with very little overdubbing. Guests include Alison Krauss, Marty Stuart and dobro virtuoso Rob Ickes. It was produced by Ronnie Reno, former rhythm guitarist of The Strangers.

Track listing

All songs written by Merle Haggard except where noted.

  1. "Runaway Momma" – 3:49
  2. "Pray" – 2:53
  3. "What Happened?" – 3:42
  4. "Jimmie Rodgers Blues" – 4:17
  5. "Learning to Live with Myself" – 4:09
  6. "Mama's Hungry Eyes" (with Alison Krauss) – 3:37
  7. "I Wonder Where To Find You" – 2:54
  8. "Holding Things Together" – 3:25
  9. "Big City" (Haggard, Dean Holloway) – 3:38
  10. "Momma's Prayers" – 4:08
  11. "Wouldn't That Be Something" (Merle Haggard, Freddy Powers) – 3:28
  12. "Blues Stay Away From Me" (Alton Delmore, Rabon Delmore, Henry Glover, Wayne Raney) – 3:45

Chart performance

Chart (2007) Peak
position
U.S. Billboard Top Country Albums 43
U.S. Billboard Independent Albums 34

Personnel

  • Merle Haggard – Guitar, Vocals
  • Ronnie Reno – Producer, Mixing
  • John Caldwell – Engineer
  • Charlie Cushman – Banjo, Guitar
  • Randy Garrett – Cover Illustration
  • Lee Groitzsch – Engineer, Mixing
  • Aubrey Haynie – Fiddle
  • Rob Ickes – Dobro, Slide Guitar
  • Ben Isaacs – Upright Bass
  • Carl Jackson – Guitar, Tenor Vocal, Vocal Arrangement, Vocal Producer
  • Scott Joss – Fiddle
  • J.D. Wilkes – Harmonica
  • Alison Krauss – Vocals
  • Brenda McClearen – Photography
  • Teeroy Morris – Graphic Design
  • Marty Stuart – Guitar, Mandolin

References