CD Review: Various "The Hank Williams Songbook" (Varese Vintage)

Various "The Hank Williams Songbook" (Varese Vintage)

Varese's new 18 track collection of Hank Williams covers (not to be confused 
with a similarly titled 1991 collection on Columbia) is a welcome gathering 
of interpretations dating from the late '50s through the early '70s. These 
tracks were collected from a variety of sources, rather than purpose-built 
for this album -- resulting in a variety that's less forced than the sort of 
all-star tribute albums that have been epidemic over the past decade. A few 
tracks were taken from complete tribute albums by a single artist (Del 
Shannon, Don Gibson, Johnny Cash, Roy Acuff), but most are one-off singles 
or album sides that find the artist covering a favorite Williams tune.

The range of styles, and the ease with which Williams songs adapt to them, 
is impressive. Spare, downcast readings like Johnny Cash's 1957 take of "(I 
Heard That) Lonesome Whistle Blow" are just as effective as Jerry Lee Lewis' 
party-styled "Jambalaya (On the Bayou)" and "Cold Cold Heart." Pop crooner 
Del Shannon is surprisingly convincing as he echoes Williams' yodel, Wilma 
Lee and Stoney Cooper give a hard mountain twang to Williams' "Singing 
Waterfall," and Rusty & Doug Kershaw render "Why Don't You Love Me" as 
Everlyesque rock 'n' roll.

B.J. Thomas, Don Gibson and Sue Thompson provide the farthest stretches. 
Thomas turns "I'm So Lonesome I Could Cry" into a fine mid-60s top-10 pop 
single, Gibson recorded "Your Cheatin' Heart" in an oddly compelling early 
'70s funk style, and Thompson sings "I Can't Help it (If I'm Still in Love 
With You)" as a treacly '50s ballad, replete with violins (not fiddles!) and 
background harmonies.

This is a really refreshing look at Williams songbook, viewed through 
disparate eyes that were unified by Williams talent.

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