''Same Train, A Different Time'' (subtitled ''Merle Haggard Sings the Great Songs of Jimmie Rodgers'') is the ninth studio album by

American American(s) may refer to: * American, something of, from, or related to the United States of America, commonly known as the " United States" or "America" ** Americans, citizens and nationals of the United States of America ** American ancestry, ...

country music Country (also called country and western) is a genre of popular music that originated in the Southern and Southwestern United States in the early 1920s. It primarily derives from blues, church music such as Southern gospel and spirituals, o ...

artist

Merle Haggard Merle Ronald Haggard (April 6, 1937 – April 6, 2016) was an American country music singer, songwriter, guitarist, and fiddler. Haggard was born in Oildale, California, toward the end of the Great Depression. His childhood was troubled ...

backed by

The Strangers Strangers are people who are unknown to another person or group. Strangers or The Strangers may also refer to: History * Elizabethan Strangers or Strangers, a name applied to French and Belgian immigrants to Norwich, East Anglia, England, during ...

, released in 1969, featuring covers of songs by legendary country music songwriter

Jimmie Rodgers James Charles Rodgers (September 8, 1897 – May 26, 1933) was an American singer-songwriter and musician who rose to popularity in the late 1920s. Widely regarded as "the Father of Country Music", he is best known for his distinctive rhythmi ...

. It was originally released as a 2 LP set on Capitol (SWBB-223).

History

After producing a string of albums and #1 chart hits, Haggard decided to record a tribute album to Jimmie Rodgers, who, along with

Lefty Frizzell William Orville "Lefty" Frizzell (March 31, 1928 – July 19, 1975) was an American country music singer-songwriter and honky-tonk singer. He was inducted into the Country Music Hall of Fame in 1982. Frizzell released many songs that charted ...

and

Bob Wills James Robert Wills (March 6, 1905 – May 13, 1975) was an American Western swing musician, songwriter, and bandleader. Considered by music authorities as the founder of Western swing, he was known widely as the King of Western Swing (although ...

, was one of his favorite artists. Haggard had already recorded a couple of Rodgers songs, having included the Blue Yodeler's "Rough and Rowdy Ways" on his 1967 LP ''

I'm a Lonesome Fugitive ''I'm a Lonesome Fugitive'' is the third studio album by Merle Haggard and The Strangers released on Capitol Records in 1967. Recording and composition The song "I'm a Lonesome Fugitive" brought Haggard country stardom. Although it sounds autobi ...

'' while the same version of "

California Blues ''California Blues'' is the 14th and last studio album of the band Spirit, due to the death of guitarist/singer/songwriter Randy California one month after its release. Track listing All songs written by Randy California except noted. Per ...

" on this album had been featured on ''

Pride in What I Am ''Pride in What I Am'' is the eighth studio album by American country music artist Merle Haggard and The Strangers released in 1969 on Capitol Records. Recording and composition After scoring four number-one hits in a row, the single "I Take a ...

'' three months earlier. ''Same Train, A Different Time'' includes several spoken word introductions by Haggard where he talks about the life and songs of the legendary country singer. In 1990 it became the first of Merle Haggard's Capitol albums to be re-released on CD when it was reissued by EMI-Toshiba in Japan in its entire original repertoire.

Reception

The album was released May 1, 1969 and topped the ''

Billboard A billboard (also called a hoarding in the UK and many other parts of the world) is a large outdoor advertising structure (a billing board), typically found in high-traffic areas such as alongside busy roads. Billboards present large advertis ...

'' country albums chart without the benefit of a hit single.

AllMusic AllMusic (previously known as All-Music Guide and AMG) is an American online music database. It catalogs more than three million album entries and 30 million tracks, as well as information on musicians and bands. Initiated in 1991, the dat ...

critic Stephen Thomas Erlewine stated in his review: "While the album is rooted in the past, the key to its success is how Haggard updates these traditional songs without losing sight of their roots. There are contemporary folk, country and blues influences scattered throughout the record, adding depth to the music and proving that Rodgers' music is indeed timeless."

Track listing

All tracks written by Jimmie Rodgers unless otherwise noted. #"California Blues" #"Narration #1" #"Hobo's Meditation" #"Waitin' For a Train" #"Mother, The Queen of My Heart" (Rodgers, Hoyt Bryant) #"My Carolina Sunshine Girl" #"Narration #2" #"Train Whistle Blues" #"Why Should I Be Lonely" (Rodgers, Estelle Lovell) #"Jimmie's Texas Blues" #" Blue Yodel#6" (Rodgers, George Vaughan) #"Narration #3" #"Mule Skinner Blues" #"Peach Picking Time in Georgia" (Rodgers,

Clayton McMichen Clayton McMichen (January 26, 1900 – January 4, 1970) was an American fiddler and country musician. Biography Born in Allatoona, Georgia, McMichen learned to play the fiddle from his father and uncle. He moved to Atlanta with his family in 1 ...

) #"Down the Old Road Home" (Rodgers, Carey D. Harvey) #"Travelin' Blues" (Rodgers,

Shelly Lee Alley Shelly Lee Alley (July 6, 1894 – June 1, 1964) was an American singer, musician, songwriter and western swing bandleader. As a songwriter, Alley wrote "Travelin' Blues" for Jimmie Rodgers, a song which has been recorded by over 20 artists, inc ...

) #"Miss the Mississippi" (Bill Halley) #"Frankie and Johnny" #"No Hard Times" #"Narration #4" #"Hobo Bill's Last Ride" (Waldo LaFayette O'Neal) #"My Old Pal" (Rodgers, Elsie McWilliams) #"Nobody Knows But Me" (Rodgers, McWilliams) #"Narration #5" #"Jimmie Rodgers' Last Blue Yodel (The Women Make a Fool Out of Me)"

Personnel

– vocals, guitar

: *

Roy Nichols Roy Ernest Nichols (October 21, 1932 – July 3, 2001) was an American country music guitarist best known as the lead guitarist for Merle Haggard's band The Strangers for more than two decades. He was known for his guitar technique, a mix o ...

– guitar, harmonica * Norman Hamlet – steel guitar *George French – piano *Jerry Ward – bass *Eddie Burris – drums with *Lewis Talley – guitar *

Billy Mize William Robert Mize (April 29, 1929 – October 29, 2017) was an American steel guitarist, band leader, vocalist, songwriter, and TV show host. Biography Mize was born in Arkansas City, Kansas, United States, but raised in the San Joaquin Valle ...

– harmony vocals *

Bonnie Owens Bonnie Owens (October 1, 1929 – April 24, 2006), born Bonnie Campbell, was an American country music singer who was married to Buck Owens and later Merle Haggard. Biography She was born Bonnie Campbell in Blanchard, Oklahoma, United St ...

– harmony vocals and *

James Burton James Edward Burton (born August 21, 1939, in Dubberly, Louisiana) is an American guitarist. A member of the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame since 2001 (his induction speech was given by longtime fan Keith Richards), Burton has also been recognized ...

– guitar, dobro *Bob Morris – bass *

Roy Huskey, Jr. Roy Milton Huskey (December 17, 1956 – September 6, 1997) was a prominent American upright bass player in country music from Nashville, Tennessee. Huskey performed alongside musicians such as Chet Atkins, Garth Brooks, Johnny Cash, Vince G ...

– bass

References

{{Authority control Jimmie Rodgers (country singer) tribute albums 1969 albums Merle Haggard albums Capitol Records albums Albums produced by Ken Nelson (United States record producer) Albums recorded at Capitol Studios