I Am What I Am [LP] 03/20/2009 Ben Weinman

Ben Weinman

and spotlights the aspects that have led to their mega-platinum success--lyrical compassion

He landed on one of the major labels with a sympathetic producer

No matter the listener's opinion on the vocals

and Big Mike

I Am What I Am [LP] 03/20/2009 Ben WeinmanPerhaps there's a measure of defiance in the title of Merle Haggard's 2010 album I Am What I Am, but it's also a statement of plain fact: almost 50 years into a recording career, there's no changing the fact that Hag is who is he is, and he's comfortable in his own skin, broken in but not worn out, never pushing too hard but never coasting, either. Sometimes Haggard's easy touch is too light, slipping into sleepiness, but the striking thing about I Am