After his 2000 comeback album If I Could Only Fly, Haggard released two gospel albums on the same day on May 1, 2001: Cabin in the Hills and Two Old Friends with Albert Brumley, Jr. The former includes a mix of traditional songs arranged by Haggard as well as new Haggard originals. It also features the Iris Dement song "Shores of Jordan". Haggard produced the collection himself and is joined by Strangers steel guitarist Norman Hamlet and singers Porter Wagoner and Bonnie Owens.
Travis Dragaset of AllMusic wrote: "Haggard's own spiritual evolution, which took root while in solitary confinement at San Quentin prison, lends grit and intrigue to this highly listenable set."[1]
Track listing[]
"Life's Railway to Heaven" (W.S. Stevenson, Charlie Tillman) – 3:21
"A Cabin in the Hills" (Merle Haggard) – 3:17
"What Will It Be Like" (Haggard) – 2:48
"Farther Along" (Traditional) – 4:12
"Precious Lord Take My Hand" – 3:07
"Apart for a While" (Haggard) – 3:10
"Love Lifted Me" (Traditional) – 3:29
"Shores of Jordan" (Iris Dement) – 3:38
"Lord Don't Give Up on Me" (Haggard) – 2:58
"This World Is Not My Home" (Traditional; arranged by Albert Brumley, Jr.) – 2:18[2]
