Mama Tried is a typically fine late-'60s LP from Merle Haggard, comprised
of a number of strong originals and several excellent covers. While "Mama
Tried" stands out among Haggard's original material, "I'll Always
Know" and "You'll Never Love Me Now" are both solid songs.
Still, those two tracks pale next to the best covers on the record. Merle
delivers "Little Ole Wine Drinker Me," "In the Good Old
Days (When Times Were Bad)," "Teach Me to Forget," "Run
'Em Off" and "Too Many Bridges to Cross Over" with grit
and an open, affecting honesty that makes Mama Tried one of Hag's best
records.
(by Stephen Thomas Erlewine, All
Music Guide)
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