Timeless: Hank Williams Tribute

by

Various Artists

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...but I'm trying to make up for the guy who only gave it two. This album is way better than two stars. Yes, you SHOULD go buy some '"real" Hank Williams if you haven't already. "40 Greatest Hits" is a great starter album if it's still in print.

Only three kinds of people generally buy tribute albums: someone who is a huge fan of the artist who is being paid tribute, or someone who really likes one or more of the artists on the album, or the person who falls into both categories. So chances are you probably already are familiar with Hank and don't need preaching from the likes of me and the guy who gave the album two stars.

Now, lets get down to the nitty gritty. Most of the songs on this album are fine renditions of Hank Williams work. Some that stick out:

Dylan. Yeah, he's blown out his voice. Get over it. He never had one anyway. Just marvel at the turns of phrase, intonations, and humor he can inject into the song with what he's got. A vocal master, even if he never could "sing". And that band is smokin'.

Sheryl Crow. She should sing more country. Wow.

Keb' Mo'. The drums on this track really detract from the softness of the rest of the song. I just don't get it. Big mistake. Could have been great.

Hank III. Straight up but fine interpretation.

Keith Richards. Knocked my socks off by starting off in a quirky kind of country style and transcending into Memphis style soul. Amazing. Best track on the album.

All the other tracks on the album are fine. However, I find that Emmylou and Lucinda Williams are both a little overwrought and depressing for my tastes. Yes, Hank could tear your heart out when he sang, but these girls are wearing it on their sleeve, and Hank never did that. Also, Ryan Adams...I can't make up my mind if he is just bored or if he is fantastic. Guess I need to listen a few more times. A fine album, in all.

This complilation, with few exceptions, sucks the life out of Hank's songs. Just like singing the blues doesn't mean you spend a night crying in your beer, Hank's music just isn't meant to be played sad. Beck's mawkish, over produced, 'Cheatin' Heart' sucks the life out of countrty music worse than anything that ever came out of Nashville. Well, almost ever. With a few exceptions, the performers treat these songs like dirges, not like the sh*t-kicking Honky Tonk classics they are. I'm not saying that every Hank songs needs to sound just like Hank, as Hank III's cut here does, but give the songs the life and energy they deserve.

If you want a Hank compilation, by someone other than Hank, listen to 'Hanky Panky' from The The. It's not for the faint of heart, but then neither was Hank Williams.