It is heaven to listen to new Hag after a two year dry spell and this is Haggard like never before. The album is very personal and Hag does not hold back his emotions or views. He declares his devotion to his wife and his dismay with mass media all in one album.

"Because of your eyes" is a touching song he wrote for his wife and it is one of the strongest tracks on the album. He does a duet with Willie on a cover with Woody Guthrie's Reno Blues. I know, lately it's hard to find an new album WITHOUT a Willie duet, but this one of the best Willie Duets released this year. On the blues number, "Garbage Man" he scats! It was fun to listen to the usual call and response with a twangy twist. It reminded me how Jimmie Rodgers altered yodeling to create “blue yodeling.” Hag’s brief “blue scatting” in that number made me want to hear more. It was very clever.

Hag covers current events with ‘Lonesome day” and “That’s the news.” He does not hide his political feelings, yet presents them intelligently with wonderfully constructed song. Nor does he hide his patriotism in his salute to the troops on “Yellow Ribbons.”

It's a strong album and worth the two year wait. Thanks to Ram Radio for this review. Be sure to visit their website were you can hear the legends! Click here to go there now.