My Farewell to Elvis

by Al CampbellMerle Haggard's 1977 album My Farewell to Elvis was obviously a labor of love. Haggard has made no secret of his admiration for the King and often said in interviews that if he could have been any other performer, it would have been Presley. His interpretations of "That's All Right Mama," "Jailhouse Rock," and "Don't Be Cruel" more than stand the test of time. Even "Blue Christmas," which could have been omitted for a zillion other tunes, fits in perfectly because Haggard respects it as an Elvis standard, not just a Christmas song. My Farewell to Elvis may not be on par with Same Train, Different Time or Tribute to the Best Damn Fiddle Player in the World, but it's a decent, if overlooked, session in the Haggard discography.