Andrew Smith
This single, 33-track CD comprises versions of Hank Williams songs by other artists, ranging from hard-core country to rockabilly and popular (including big-band) music. Its release in late 2023 marked the centenary of Hank’s birth (on September 17, 1923) and, arguably, close to the anniversary of his death, purportedly on January 1, 1953.
“Country” performers include Hank Jr (Calling You), Rose Maddox (I Saw The Light), Rex Griffin (Lovesick Blues), Johnny Cash (I’m So Lonesome I Could Cry), Marty Robbins (Long Gone Lonesome Blues), Don Gibson (Baby We’re Really In Love) and Faron Young (Your Cheatin’ Heart), among others. Rex Griffin’s 1939 recording was likely the inspiration for Hank’s version of Lovesick Blues. (Bear Family’s 3-CD Rex Griffin set also includes Griffin’s version.)
Popular renditions include those by Louis Armstrong (Cold, Cold Heart), Richard Hayes (Move It On Over), Jo Stafford and Frankie Laine (Settin’ The Woods On Fire), and Ray Charles (Take These Chains From My Heart). Charles, of course, has been recognised for his groundbreaking 1962 album, Modern Sounds in Country and Western Music, which was acclaimed by The Recording Academy as one of “historical significance”.
Volume Two of the album set included Charles’s recording on this Bear Family CD. My Bucket’s Got A Hole In It predated rock ‘n’ roll but it had a definite rock ‘n’ roll feel, as T. Texas Tyler’s version expressively demonstrates.
Bobby Helms’s I’m A Long Gone Daddy appears here for the first time on CD. Overall, the album demonstrates the quality of Hank’s repertoire and its appeal to both country, rockabilly and popular performers.
As a Hank Williams collector from the late 1960s, I found this album to be a fascinating compilation of some of Hank’s better-known songs performed by others, and excellent value for money, especially given the very generous number of tracks.
Typical of Bear Family quality, the CD comes with a 36-page colour booklet, written by music journalist Bill Dahl, that includes the background story of each track and an abundance of illustrations.
Check out the Hank Williams Connection promotion on the Bear Family site.
