Music

Unforgettable – Merle Haggard
The man that brought such classic country standards as “Okie From Muscogee” and “That’s The Way Love Goes” is quite the virtuoso. This standards-based album is really no surprise: Bing Crosby was nearly as much a hero to Merle Haggard as was Texas swingman Bob Wills and Merle’s biggest hero, Lefty Frizzell.

For decades Hag has blended classic pop into his onstage repertoire. These nine standards and three contemporary tunes, recorded over a lengthy period, constitute a joint release by Capitol and Merle’s own Hag Records. Great tracks include “As Time Goes By” and Nat King Cole’s “Unforgettable.” Merle’s take on “Cry Me a River” is a wee bit different from Julie London’s long-ago original. The Western Swing ballad “Goin’ Away Party” is a nice addition. Way to go Hag! This is an “unforgettable” addition to your Merle collection. A


Still Restless – Restless Heart
All five members of this hit band are back together after a decade break