Ah well I appreciate hearing so many comments about Merle and thank you for your responses. I still love his voice, but I personally would NOT put him in the same league as songwriters like Johnny Cash, Willie Nelson, and not coming close to Hank or Jimmy Rodgers (whom I laud and applaud and admire and feel are primal influences on most of the country, folk and rock music following them. )


I just dont' find his songwriting as strong as the giants; or even as many other less discovered and jmho more gifted 'coutnry style' talents (ranging from the likes of Libba Cotton to Townes Van Zandt, Chris Smither to yes, Gillian Welch herself.)

I may take another look at his music when I have some time, and appreciate all the comments sent in. But perhaps I find, in the pithy words of one poster, that he is a "right leaning Woody Guthrie" -an oxymoron at best, at least for me (sort of like saying Sarah Palin is a right leaning F.D.R.) I just hated the message and nasty-spirited polarizing effect of that song, Okie from Muskogee, and where I find Woodie's lyrics (and the songwriters I mentioned above) 'ring true ' for me, I am not so enamored of old Merle. Still like his voice tho, and may want to check out his CD devoted to Jimmy.

Well maybe I AM missing something, but truth be told, I was much happier hearing the plaintive ballads on the Appalachian documentary than Merle. I assume there must be something to the guy if so many people in mudcat rate him so highly.........but I just don't hear it.

I guess ya could just say............."Mudcat tried."