Hank Williams Jr. Album: “Pressure Is On”

The standard of this album is set by the opening track, the classic A country boy can survive. The coalition to ban coalitions is one those political songs that Hank is so good, but this is one that a lot of people can empathize with to some extent, whatever their own political beliefs. Of course, everybody feels like joining one of those coalitions at some time or other, when things or values they treasure are threatened. Tennessee stud is a cover of the classic horse song by Jimmy Driftwood. Rambling in my shoes is a duet with Boxcar Willie, a singer who achieved fame in the UK but, as I understand, remained virtually unknown in his homeland. Boxcar also contributed the train whistle effects. The title track is a smoldering bluesy song.

All my rowdy friends have settled down, lamenting how his friends no longer spend as much time enjoying themselves drinking, was one of the biggest hits of Hank's hugely successful career. I don't care if tomorrow never comes, a great duet with George Jones, is about having a good time - so perhaps Hank found one rowdy friend he could still drink with. Weatherman is another great bluesy song, in which Hank begs for a change in the weather. Every time I hear that song is another lament, this time remembering someone he misses. The controversial Ballad of Hank Williams, in which Hank makes his views on his father clear to the tune of Battle of New Orleans, completes an outstanding album.

This is, by Hank's standards, quite a mellow album, proving that he can be brilliant even when he's not being rowdy. Although I normally prefer him when he's rowdy, I enjoy both aspects of his music and the strength of the material here ensures that this is one of my favorite albums of his.

Every element of this album is absolutely perfect. Hank reaches back to the previous generation of Country Music superstars to remake himself and revitalize his career. "A Country Boy can Survive" and "All my Rowdy Friends (Have Settled Down)" are certainly pure Bocephus, but "Tennessee Stud", a Lester Flatt and Earl Scruggs staple is wonderfully re-recorded by Hank Jr. The duets on this album with George Jones ("I Don't Care (If Tomorrow Never Comes)") and Boxcar Willy ("Ramblin' in My Shoes") combine elements of the past with Jr.'s unique style and are just what the doctor ordered. Reaching back the furthest is "The Ballad of Hank Williams", which uses the tune to Johnny Horton's "Battle of New Orleans" to tell of the raucous lifestyle of Bocephus' legendary father and the travails of his band. In my mind, all ten of these songs are pure country gold!!!

IF you liked Hank 20 years ago, this disc will take you right back to the 1980's! A decidedly invaluable addition to my Hank collection!

WELL, You gotta LOVE Hank Jr. Don't have a lot of his stuff yet. All the songs are "great ones". I had never heard this one though, thought it was hilllllarious!!! "THE BALLAD OF HANK WILLIAMS"...

i wanted the duet with george jones , i dont care if tomorrow never comes , great song they should have made it a single they sound great together and i also enjoyed the duet with boxcar willie