Merle Haggard's third album, Swinging Doors / The Bottle Let Me Down, was assembled from a variety of singles and session like its two predecessors, but it contained a stronger overall selection of material than either album. In addition to the two masterpieces from which the album took its name, the record included a terrific version of
Tommy Collins' "High On A Hilltop," and plus excellent songs like "The Girl Turned Ripe," "If I Could Be Him," and "Someone Else You've Known." There's a few weak tracks, but
Haggard and his band are in fine form, making the filler enjoyable. ~ Stephen Thomas Erlewine