Lucky (Loyal Duchess, 2014)

Suzy Bogguss' original intention to was to make a record based in country and blues, and she and husband (and co-producer) Doug Crider kept thinking of Merle Haggard songs that fit the bill. The result is something pretty and much happier in places than the originals. For instance, the anti-Christmas carol and perennial recession anthem, If We Make It Through December, is fairly upbeat with its bright acoustic guitar finger picking and Bogguss' pretty voice.

Nevertheless, you can sense the distinct Haggard spirit on this version of Let's Chase Each Other Around the Room, which skips to a light western swing groove. Bogguss is a talented singer, but she just can't seem to work up the same defiant spirit Haggard brought to I Think I'll Just Stay Here and Drink. Maybe that's just because it's a song made for a guy. However, for the tragic prison song, Sing Me Back Home, Bogguss' sweet sadness is absolutely appropriate. The same goes for You Don't Have Very Far to Go. Wow, The Hag sure has a lot of sad songs!

If you love Merle Haggard songs as much as Suzy Bogguss does, there is no doubt "Lucky" will make a winning entry for your CD collection.