Merle Haggard and the Strangers
July 23 2010
The National
Richmond VA

Opening acts: Noel Haggard followed by the Malpass Brothers
Sony MiniDisc with CSB micas > Computer Hard Drive > Tracks Split with CD Wav editor > FLAC (2010)

01. Silver Wings
02. Working Man Blues
03. Folsom Prison Blues
04. I Think I'll Just Stay Here and Drink
05. I'm A Lonesome Fugitive
06. Are the Good Times Really Over (part 1)
07. Are the Good Times Really Over (part 2)
08. Mama Cried
09. Big City
10. Back to Earth
11. That's the Way Love Goes
12. Motorcycle Cowboy
13. Love is Always Pretty (When It's New)
14. Fightin' Side of Me
15. The Bottle Let Me Down
16. I Had a Little Gal
17. Take Me Back to Tulsa
18. Okie From Muskogee
19. I am What I am

There was no encore


Comments: This recording was made using the Sony MD's auto setting rather than manually setting the recording level. Why? My last time out the recording turned out WAY too quiet, and I regretted setting the levels. This show was billed as being a "quiet" show so I figured I'd be OK. Was it, well, sort of yes and sort of no. The times when the levels peaked out during this recording were usually in times when an audience members screamed. They also maxed out during an occasional guitar solo (e.g. I Think I'll Just Stay Here and Drink). It was my first and perhaps only time recording at The National and I didn't know what to expect. If I had it to do over again,I'd probably record and listen to the Malpass Brothers set and decide to manually set the levels for the Merle Haggard performance.

Also included with this download are a few images I took at the show, a copy of my ticket, and a scan of the tour's itinerary page for this day. I attempted to get a set list and was told by a stage hand that there weren't any. I looked around hard and didn't see one either and asked the sound board guy and that is how I got the tour itinerary sheet. I usually like to get a stage setlist when and where I can. If anyone makes cover-art for this show, please share it with us here.