Old Live albums from Merle Haggard?

Tony Harris · Post by **Tony Harris** » 16 May 2002 1:41 pm

I remember from the 70's two live albums from Merle - one recorded in a prison - "Fighting Side of Me"(?)and another released here in the UK as "The Epic Collection" (Epic Records). Anyone know if they're available on CD?
Thanks.

Sidney Malone · Post by **Sidney Malone** » 16 May 2002 1:59 pm

Check out www.cdnow.com They have about everything available. Type in Merle Haggard in the search box and there is a lot of CD's available. I saw a live one from 1969 (Okie From Muskogee). There are probably many more. Good Luck.

Ernie Renn · Post by **Ernie Renn** » 17 May 2002 4:11 am

Tony;

"Fightin' Side Of Me" (1970) was recorded in Philadelphia. Not at a prison, though. I think it might have even been Independence Hall. Been too many years since I had it out.

Other Live Haggard recordings:
"Okie from Muskogee" (1969) recorded live in Muskogee, OK.

"Land of Many Churches" (1971) was live, but I don't remember where. I think somewhere in Tennessee.

"I Love Dixie Blues" (1973) recorded live in New Orleans.

"Rainbow Stew: Live at Anaheim Stadium" (1981) recorded live in Anaheim, CA.

"Live at Billy Bob's" (1999) recorded live in Fort Worth, TX.

"In Concert" was released in 2001, but I don't know where it was recorded.

I've got all but the last one. Been a Haggard fan since the mid-60's. (Roy Nichols, even though he has passed, is one of my guitar heroes!)

Hope this is of some help...

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My best,
Ernie

The Official Buddy Emmons Website
www.buddyemmons.com

Neil Hilton · Post by **Neil Hilton** » 17 May 2002 9:40 am

Philadelphia show was at the old Civic Center which is adjacent to the Penn Univ campus. This one and the Muskogee live album were the 2 bread-and-butter records that caused me to become such a Haggard fan from a very young age, I'm a '65 model. I have the original vinyls that my mom and dad
bought - on the Philly cover, Roy's white telecaster is colored in with a red marker, handiwork that I did when I was probably about 6.

I had occasion to be in Philly several years ago and to illustrate my reverence for this album, I walked from downtown to the Penn campus to just see this old arena and take a picture. I wandered around outside for awhile, front doors were all locked up, but I noticed some trucks and vehicles parked around the back. I wandered back there and was suprised to be met with tight security, as was informed that the soundstage for a movie was housed there, filming going on, and I'd best get out of there.

I assured a nice gal there that I wasn't out to snoop on the movie set, but would just like to take a quick look in the arena if I could, and explained my obsession with a concert that was taped there in 1970. Luckily, she had heard of Merle Haggard and let me in. So, I did proceed to snoop around, met some movie people and even the star of the show..... the movie being filmed was "Sixth Sense" and I met Bruce Willis there on the set. My punchline -

Before leaving the building, I went up on the stage and sang "Every Fool has a Rainbow" for the cast and crew, hearing my voice echoing thru that big old arena, with Roy and Norm's tele and steel echoing in my head was something I'll never forget standing on that very stage.

and Bruce Willis clapped and gave me a wink and a nod.

guess I've just hammered out my first "story" post!

scott murray · Post by **scott murray** » 17 May 2002 5:14 pm

Very cool!!!

Kenny Forbess · Post by **Kenny Forbess** » 18 May 2002 8:10 am

Ernie,
The double album "Land of Many Churches" was recorded at the "Big Creek Baptist Church" in Lucy Tenn.(just north of Mem.)

I was lucky enough to be on the front row.
You might say, it was the thrill of my life.

There wasn't much ,if any, advertisement of this recording prior to the event due to space available, it's a very small church.
just a selected few knew about it.

Norm did all his stuff on a Dobro.

Kenny

I must add, this album was cut in several different small southern churches .

[This message was edited by KENNY FORBESS on 18 May 2002 at 07:09 PM.]

Barbara Hennerman · Post by **Barbara Hennerman** » 19 May 2002 7:10 pm

*[This message was edited by Barbara Hennerman on 21 August 2006 at 12:56 AM.]

Ron Page · Post by **Ron Page** » 22 May 2002 8:56 am

You would think with all the big shots in Nashville, one of them might get the idea that a Hag box set of the original live albums might just be an absolute blockbuster. Who's better, live and in person than Merle Haggard and The Strangers?

Be careful on the Okie album. There are about a dozen collections that use that title, but only one original.

Figntin' Side never won any awards because it kept getting beat out by Muskogee.

Live At Billy Bob's is tops in my opinion. Those old classics never had that much steel in 'em the first time. Great job my the entire band as well as the boss man.

My 2nd choice is Rainbow Stew. I have never found that on a CD, but would love to.

Great story, Neil.

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HagFan

Terry Downs · Post by **Terry Downs** » 28 May 2002 8:20 pm

I have the same obsession (well not to the extent as Neil) with the Philadelphia album. I lost my album about 20 years ago. It is my all time favorite. I have found a few songs on MP3s including the impersonations, but I would love to find a music source for it. If some kind soul has that album and would make MP3s from it, I would send them something nice.

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Terry Downs
http://nightshift.net
terry@nightshift.net