music

Let's be honest: When you go to see an old-time country star at a casino, the show is usually as predictable as Britney Spears' party behavior. Willie Nelson has been doing pretty much the same set for 93 years. George Jones has been telling the same jokes since he was married to Tammy Wynette. But Merle Haggard was totally in the moment Tuesday night at the sold-out Mystic Lake Casino Showroom in Prior Lake.

He made fun of the no-booze policy of the casino. "You guys sound like you're really sober," he told the crowd. "Somebody pass somethin' along."

In good spirits but clearly sober, the 71-year-old legend didn't stop there. With his fifth wife and teenage son in the band, Haggard joked about how he'd been born once but had lived three lives.

Indeed, that's always been part of the appeal of Haggard. He's had a life that's tougher than a jukebox full of country tear-jerkers: His dad died when Merle was 9; the rebellious son got involved in various crimes and eventually ended up with a 15-year prison sentence. But he played in the prison country band, got paroled (and later pardoned by then-Gov. Ronald Reagan) and poured his heart and soul into country music.

Some of his songs speak to his early life, some to his prison experience, many to the ups and downs of his love life, and a few serve up pointed social commentary. Underappreciated, Haggard is arguably the greatest singer-songwriter in the history of country music besides Hank Williams. As one of Haggard's sidemen said at the end of Tuesday's performance: "If we did all the songs, we'd be up here for two weeks."

As it was, Haggard was onstage for only 63 minutes. His voice may be thin, but the relaxed, playful legend still delivered his poetic lyrics with wizened, heartfelt soulfulness.

His band, the jazzy/bluesy/twangy Strangers, played with tasteful restraint, especially drummer Biff Adams, but the musicians always had the right emotional seasoning when called upon.

Highlights included the childlike ecology anthem "Rainbow Stew," the lonely-as-Roy Orbison "Going Where the Lonely Go," the bluegrass fiddle tune "I Had a Little Girl," the spirited clap-along "Are the Good Times Really Over" and the crowd-pleasing, pro-redneck, anti-hippie classic "Okie from Muskogee."

Haggard did it without a set list. He'd merely play a few notes on guitar or start singing and the Strangers would join in. He'd signal to musicians to take solos and to end the song. That way, Haggard made his classics sound fresh and spontaneous -- an approach in country music that is as rare as he is.

For set list and fan comments, go to www.startribune.com/poplife.

Jon Bream • 612-673-1719