Hurtin'

• Artist: Merle Haggard
• Rating:
• Release Date: September 25, 2001
• Type: Compilation (best of)
• Genre: Country

Review

Following in the marketing footsteps of Columbia/Legacy's 2000 thematic Johnny Cash releases (Murder, Love, God), Capitol Records gave Merle Haggard's back catalog a similar treatment in 2001 with four separate installments: Hurtin', Drinkin', Prison, and Cheatin'. While it's impossible to narrow Haggard's Hurtin' songs down to ten, the compilers did an admiral job mixing a few of the obvious hits ("Sing a Sad Song," "Silver Wings," and "House of Memories") with similarly themed songs that fell through the cracks -- great tunes but not necessarily hits. The cover art could be a bit snazzier, but still, this is a decent mid-line set. In fact, all four discs are recommended, and as it states on the back cover, "Collect all four and enjoy the pain." ~ Al Campbell, All Music Guide

Tracks

Track Title	Composers	Performers	Time
Sing a Sad Song	Wynn Stewart	Merle Haggard	(2:34)
Silver Wings	Merle Haggard	Merle Haggard	(2:43)
House of Memories	Merle Haggard	Merle Haggard	(2:46)
Everybody's Had the Blues	Merle Haggard	Merle Haggard	(2:54)
Things Aren't Funny Anymore	Merle Haggard	Merle Haggard	(2:43)
What Have You Got Planned Tonight Diana	Dave Kirby	Merle Haggard	(3:08)
Making Believe	Jimmy Work	Merle Haggard	(3:02)
Always Wanting You	Merle Haggard	Merle Haggard	(3:07)
You Don't Have Very Far to Go	Merle Haggard, Joe Simpson	Merle Haggard	(2:19)
Every Fool Has a Rainbow	Merle Haggard	Merle Haggard	(2:26)

Credits

Merle Haggard (Main Performer), Merle Haggard (Performer), Mark Chalecki (Digital Remastering), Jim Beavers (Creative Director), Jim Beavers (Compilation Producer), Denise Jarvis (Production Assistant), Sally Carns (Art Direction), Sally Carns (Design)