Merle Haggard is simply a legend of American music. A great singer and songwriter, Bakersfield, California's native son has been creating lasting classics in a rootsy country mode for over 4 decade. His music has stirred controversy, but he's never recorded anything less than from the heart. Further, his songbook is, well, one of country music's finest, and as these things tend to happen, his quality and longevity has culled him an audience far and wide, from country fans to Bob Dylan, with whom he toured extensively in this decade This Definitive Collection  is 4 decade tour de force covering all of the major labels he has recorded for and features all of his most renowned classics, from his first #1 'The Fugitive' to his recent recording of Lefty Frizzell's: 'Always Late (With Your Kisses)' from 2001.A fitting tribute to such a legend.