20 of Hank Williams’ Greatest HitsHank 101. Country 101. After 27 years in print as 24 Greatest Hits, Mercury kindly reduced it to 20 Greatest Hits. It’s still excellent value, and it’s still sobering to realize that Hank recorded just 66 songs during his lifetime, almost all of them essential. Here are those that serve as a working definition of country music, and as an admonition to artists who try to get too wordy or try to lose themselves in minor keys. “Your Cheatin’ Heart,” “Honky-Tonk Blues,” “Cold, Cold Heart,” “Lovesick Blues,” “You Win Again,” “I Can’t Help It,” “I’m So Lonesome I Could Cry,” and the rest. Fifty years later, they still have the power to move, and the power to shape modern country music. –Colin Escott   List Price: $ 13.98 Price: $ 8.27 |
Not just great country music — great MUSIC.,
Hank Williams, Sr. stands as one of the great songwriters of the 20th Century. Just look at the diverse number of artists who have covered his music — from Ray Charles to Elvis Costello to even George Thorogood (whose version of “Move It On Over” is absolutely outstanding). There isn’t a bad cut in this 20-song collection, and the chord progressions on some songs (like “Lovesick Blues”) are amazingly sophisticated.
There’s no doubt that Hank Williams is pure country. However, it doesn’t matter if you’re coming to this album straight from your collection of Beck and Radiohead CDs — the great songs stick with you after just a few listens. I think Williams should be considered one of the immortal composers of this century, and should stand alongside names like George Gershwin, Jimmie Rodgers, Woody Guthrie, Bob Dylan and Neil Young. These men cannot be pigeonholed into neat and tidy genres. Put plain, they are all great songwriters.
I’ve been getting deeper and deeper into country/American music since the day I walked into a used CD shop and purchased Gram Parsons’ two classic solo albums and Elvis’ Sun sessions. Of course, you can’t begin on this road of C&W musical exploration without stopping to listen to a little Hank Williams.
The first thing that hit me about “Greatest Hits” was the raw emotion of Hank’s voice, and the stark, weather-beaten honesty of his music. But the main thing that comes across, time and time again, is the superior craftsmanship of the songs.
“Essential” is such an overused word these days, but the adjective absolutely applies to this CD.
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|A perfect one CD intro to Hank’s music.,
Ok, so you don’t want to spring for a two CD set on Hank? Well, kudos to Mercury (yes, some might find it strange I say that) for giving casual fans a one disc set that cuts it down to the nitty-gritty, can’t live without selections Hank recorded. This is all you need to find out about Hank if you’re new to Hank. I must agree with Colin Escott when he says Country 101. This is the definitive intro to the man who made a lasting effect on country music as we know it. Some of this music is over 50 years old, but it still sounds modern and undated. Kudos to Kira Florita & Colin Escott for giving casual fans the perfect intro disc.
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|Too limited for the Master,
Naturally, this is a great disc. However, to really get a grasp on the greatness of Hank Williams, you, at least, need to own “40 Greatest Hits”. “20 Greatest Hits” is just not enough. When this was originally an LP in was, at least, “24 Greatest Hits”. Sadly, “40 Greatest Hits” is out of print, why I do not know. Nevertheless, you can get it used on Amazon. In all reality, if you are willing to spend a little bit more money, you need to get the three disc set “Hank Williams Original Singles Collection”. You get every thing Hank ever recorded that was not a duet or poem. Plus, you get several essential demos. This is, with out a doubt, the best box set ever. “The Complete Hank Williams” is great but too costly for the casual fan. It contains all that “Original Singles” contains, all of the demos and most of the radio performances. As well, as the poems and duets with his wife.
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