Merle Haggard - 'Misery and Gin' [Live from Austin, TX]

From the 1985 Merle Haggard album 'Live from Austin, TX' available now on CD, DVD, and exclusive 180g orange vinyl:

Also available at Amazon:

[robertschummer]

Holiday Inn, Eau claire, wis. 1971. I was a huge fan of Merle Haggard at the time and had I think every record he put out up to that time. Merle was doing a show in town and staying at the Holiday Inn. I was closing the bar and ringing out the till, when I noticed a very familiar figure walking through the dining room. Excitedly, I approached him and said, 'Mr. Haggard'. With that he turned around and said he was looking for his room but had gotten turned around. I told him there was no one in the bar, and I would be proud to buy him a drink. "I could sure use one, " he replied. With that we went into the dim lit bar, I poured him a triple shot of Crown Royal, and we had a great conversation for about a half hour. One of the highlights of my life!

[lukerichards]

If Merle isn’t your favourite country singer, I can guarantee you he’s your favourite country singers favourite country singer.

[mossycreektennessee]

How many men have sat at a bar and wished for this song to come on the jukebox? I grew up on Haggard

[levigapter]

At 29 years old in 2023 I can absolutely say that Merle Haggard is the greatest country vocalist of all time. What an absolute treasure. Sitting with all my friends and talking to myself. What a genius line.

[j.marcduguay]

No machines, no sounds effects, no tricks... just a golden voice! Thank you Mr. Haggard.

[cecils]

We've had some great country singers in this lifetime, but there'll never be another Merle Haggard....

[deliman]

Those fans don't realize how lucky they are to be there.

[brianwilliams]

I might be a fool, but I've always thought of Merle as the Sinatra of country music, what a voice!

[danielkneebone]

He’s a genius. He has the most wonderfully controlled quiet vibrato ever.

[rivercoa]

It just does not get any better than this.

[KevinEPratt]

Merle's voice on this version is pure GREATNESS! His phrasing, the notes he hits, his timing of lyrics and the pure heartache and conviction he sings the lyrics with just draws you into the hurt the lyrics speak of!

[jeffpecker]

my greatest regret will always be being born too late to see this man live

[airhead]

In case you are wondering, this is as good as music gets. It's all downhill from here.

[njgl]

BEST songwriter
BEST guitarist
BEST performer

He was the BEST!

[coltaine]

Country has a lot of cry-in-your-beer songs. This one is the best. No frills, no vocal acrobatics, just the truth as rough as a shot of cheap whiskey.

[OneTon]

P.E.R.F.E.C.T.I.O.N. Merle Haggard, ladies and gentlemen.

[CORPORAL-dnnn]

That’s the perfect country western song

[outside_bb]

Nothing like drinking a beer and listening to the Hag sing. Glad I got to see him live once.

[danmichel]

Looking at the world through the bottom of a glass and all I see is a man that's fading Fast -pure poetry

[beergut]

Don't let the amazing lyrics distract you from the absolute master performance on guitar that Merle puts on here. Absolutely incredible, there will never be another that does it as well.