The Land of Many Churches

by Merle Haggard

Overview

Here's one for the hardest of hardcore Merle Haggard believers (no pun intended). Released in 1971 between Hag and Someday We'll Look Back, this curio collects four live performances: two are in churches proper -- Big Creek Baptist Church and Assembly of God Tabernacle -- one is at San Quentin's Garden Chapel inside the prison, and one at Nashville's Union Rescue Mission. What's more, while two of these feature Hag with the Strangers -- including Bonnie Owens -- the other two find him backed by the Carter Family! As one can guess, the music rolls between country gospel and hymns, some with preachers introducing the numbers. It's all live, and the recordings are excellent, but this music is an acquired taste and, like a lot of Haggard's live records, it's uneven, but there are some fine moments.

Product Details

Release Date:	09/13/2011
Label:	Bgo - Beat Goes On
UPC:	5017261210159
catalogNumber:	6121015
Rank:	22214

Tracks

1. Introduction/We'll Understand It Better By and By
2. Medley: Take My Hand, Precious Lord/Jesus Hold My Hand
3. Precious Memories
4. History of Big Creek Baptist Church
5. Turn Your Radio On
6. If We Never Meet Again
7. Closing Prayer: Just As I Am
8. Introduction & Opening Prayer
9. Amazing Grace
10. Where Could I Go
11. Medley: Old Time Religion/Pass Me Not/Sweet By and By
12. The Old Rugged Cross
13. Closing Prayer
14. Introduction
15. Life's Railway To Heaven
16. On the Jericho Road
17. Steal Away
18. I Saw The Light
19. Introduction/Leaning On The Everlasting Arms
20. Guid Me, Lord
21. The Family Bible
22. I'll Be List'ning
23. Just a Closer
24. Closing Prayer

Album Credits

Performance Credits

Merle Haggard   Primary Artist,Vocals
Johnny Gimble   Background Vocals,Guest Appearance
Tommy Collins   Guest Appearance
Anita Carter   Background Vocals
Mother Maybelle Carter   Background Vocals
Biff Adam   Musician
Earl Ball   Guest Appearance
Norm Hamlet   Musician
Roy Nichols   Musician
Bonnie Owens   Vocals,Background Vocals,Guest Appearance
Jody Payne   Guest Appearance
Steve Pierce   Choir Director
Dennis Hromek   Background Vocals,Musician
Helen Carter   Background Vocals
Billy Liebert   Guest Appearance
Robbie Harden   Background Vocals
Bobby Wayne   Background Vocals,Musician
Herman Harper   Background Vocals
Jerry Smith   Guest Appearance
San Quentin Garden Chapel Choir   Vocals

Technical Credits

Floyd Tillman   Composer
Tommy Collins   Original Liner Notes
Ed Flaherty   Engineer
Ed Hudson   Engineer
Ken Nelson   Producer
George Richey   Producer
Traditional   Composer
Bob Wortham   Cover Photo
Hugh Davies   Engineer
Maurice Hope   Liner Notes
John Hoernie   Art Direction
Rev. J.D. Smith   Introduction
Brumley   Composer
Gimble   Composer
Buskirk   Composer
Bradbury   Composer
Rev. Jimmy Whitlock   Introduction