Merle Haggard. Just those two words together say so much more than any sentence or paragraph. Merle is one of the greatest Country artists of all-time...if not THE greatest! Yeah, Johnny, Willie, Waylon and the others are great, too, but Merle is something else. If you took an X-Ray of Merle, all you'd find is a bottle of whiskey, a dusty cowboy hat, a banged-up acoustic guitar, a bus pass and a broken heart. Yeah, that's Merle Haggard. This double disc set contains 48 great tracks including 'Silver Wings', 'Swinging Doors', 'Okie From Muskogee', 'I Wonder If They Ever Think Of Me', 'Things Arent' Funny Anymore' and many others. EMI. 2007.

This two-fer from Beat Goes On combines a pair of Poco's Epic LPs, Seven and Cantamos, originally released in 1974. The 17 songs include "Drivin' Wheel," "Rocky Mountain Breakdown," "Bitter Blue," and "Sagebrush Serenade." Fans of the '70s country rock band will probably already own these discs but they will suit most casual listener's needs. ~ Al Campbell

Of all the pioneering country-rock bands of the late '60s, Poco may well have been the one that got the hybrid the most right, at least initially. The group's high-energy, joyous, and infectious songs had none of the artfulness of the Byrds' attempt at fusing rock and country, and none of the cache of hipness that weighed down both the Eagles and the Flying Burrito Brothers. Poco just played and had fun in an unassuming way, at least at the outset, because latter-era Poco is every bit as laden with California cool as the above named bands. This release from England's Beat Goes On Records combines Poco's first two albums in a two-disc set, and it is an inspired (and obvious) pairing, catching the band at its freshest peak in the studio. Released in 1969, Pickin' Up the Pieces features Richie Furay's title track, a song that seems to be a comment on the breakup of Furay's previous band, Buffalo Springfield (or at least the demise of some kind of relationship), and it revels in the fresh new joy and freedom that comes with "picking up the pieces" and starting over. Another striking cut from the first album is pedal steel player Rusty Young's propulsive instrumental "Grand Junction," which grew to be a centerpiece of the group's live show. Poco, released in 1970, continues the joy with Furay's most Springfield-like Poco song, "Hurry Up," and an impossibly infectious song from Jim Messina, "You Better Think Twice." Deliverin', a concert album released in 1971, continued the bouncy, bubbling Poco sound, but the wheels started to change soon after, as Messina left the group and was replaced by Paul Cotton. Poco continued making fine albums, but the joyous energy of these first three albums dissipated somewhat and the band drifted toward the Eagles' model, which was less unique and innovative, but sold a whole lot better. ~ Steve Leggett

This two-for-one disc, remastered from the original tapes, combines two of Joe Ely's very best recorded works; in fact, Honky Tonk Masquerade was picked by Rolling Stone as one of the best albums of the 1970s. The energy and intensity delivered here remain true to his stage shows, and those who have seen him know that he takes nothing back to the dressing room with him, as it is all left on the stage. The band has that tightness that only comes from years of constant touring and playing to all kinds of crowds. This is roots music before it was a genre, heightened by the energy of the musicians' believing in the music they are playing. The songwriting is exemplary, as the songs are primarily by Ely, Butch Hancock, and Jimmie Dale. The latter two are known mainly as songwriters, and have begun to get some recognition for their own discs. Early versions of the songs hold up to later versions, which is the sign of a strong song. There is a beautiful rendition of "If You Were a Bluebird," which inspired the title of an Emmylou Harris LP and became a big hit for her. This collection of rocking roots country music from one of the hardest workers around gives ample indication of the work to come. The energy heard here comes from a combination of dedication to craft, good songwriting, and the desire to give it all each and every time. At the same time, this disc contains some of the best work this performer has done. Three cheers to BGO for combining these two previously hard to find discs. ~ Bob Gottlieb