If you like Hank's music for the mix of country, blues and rock that became his trademark, you won't find it here. This collection is mainstream country, typical of the sixties and early seventies in which these tracks were recorded, although there are hints here and there of what would come later, especially in some of the song selections. The outlaw movement started by Waylon Jennings, Willie Nelson and Tompall Glaser was an inspiration to Hank and the music for which he is best known proves that. I love his eighties music and have reviewed most of his original albums from that period, but I also love mainstream country so I enjoy this set too.
The top twenty country hits featured here are Long gone lonesome blues (a cover of one of his father's songs), Standing in the shadows (about his father), It's all over but the crying, Cajun baby, A baby again, I'd rather be gone (written by Merle Haggard), I walked out on heaven,, Ain't that a shame (a Fats Domino cover), Raining in my heart, I've got a right to cry, Rainy night in Georgia, All for the love of sunshine (his first country number one), Eleven roses (his second country number one), After all they used to belong to me, Pride's not hard to swallow, The last love song, Hank (about his father), I'll think of something, Angels are hard to find and Stoned at the jukebox.
Hank was originally marketed as another Hank Williams (which he was born to be) and he has never been able to completely get away from his father's legacy as his later music shows. However, the connection is even more obvious on these early recordings, confirmed by the covers of his father's songs here. Your cheating heart is a piano solo that lasts thirty seconds. There are plenty of others, some famous, some obscure.
The outstanding cover is Satin sheets, a song made famous by Jeanne Pruett and covered by many top female country singers including Dolly, Tammy and Loretta. Hank does it as an answer song, protesting that he is busy working and can't give a woman his undivided attention. He sings with real passion, perhaps because he was having his own marital problems at the time.
There are plenty of other covers, including songs originally made famous by Jimmie Rodgers (Mule skinner blues), Merle Haggard (I threw away the rose), Johnny Cash (Understand your man), Jody Reynolds (Endless sleep), George Jones (Least of all you), Bobby Darin (Splish splash), Patti Page (Tennessee waltz), Lefty Frizzell (I love you a thousand ways), Webb Pierce (Slowly), Cowboy Copas (Alabam), Bob Dylan (I'll be your baby tonight) and the Temptations (My girl). Other covers include Slow rider (also known as I ride an old paint) and Nobody's child (originally recorded by Hank Snow but a top ten UK pop hit for Karen Young).
As well as all the covers, Hank showed that he had inherited his father's skills as a songwriter. Perhaps none of his own songs here quite measure up to his father's classics or his own songs from the late seventies and the eighties, but there are some good ones here. Highlights include I was with Red Foley the night he passed away, No one's sorrier than me and Getting over you as well as several of his big hits of the period.
By the end of his time with MGM, his music had already started to change in the direction that Hank wanted, particularly evident on the last nine tracks here taken from his final MGM album, And friends.
There is much to enjoy here if you like mainstream country of the sixties and seventies.
It may be out of print but this 3 Cd box set shows the side of Hank Jr before he fell off the mountain in 1975. It also includes the entire 9 song masterpiece "Hank Jr. and Friends" on the 3rd CD. This Box set is totaly autobiographal. You'll understand once you read the book inside the set. All his hits from the early days are here, covers of his dad's, and some previously unreleased stuff. Lots of great singing, and steel guitar. Real country music! I wish there was more material from "Sunday Morning" on here, but oh well. I wish they'd release all of Hank's older material, but for now this is the best you can get on compact disc. Unless it's put back in print, try buying it used. I got mine used. Good luck!
If you're only familiar with the big hits of the late 70's and 80's on the curb label,you would be missing out on some real good vibrant music where Hank really sings his heart out.I think anyone who likes classic rock & country from the early 70's would like alot of the songs on disc #3.This music may be decades old,but it still sounds fresh and lively.It reminds us older people of when music had a sense of purpose that seems lost in todays music.
