Hank Williams
40 Greatest Hits

THE REVIEW

The first time I wrote on DeBaser, I reviewed Mink DeVille, prompting some criticism. I think it's because I didn't explain his origins and musical background, limiting myself to the essentials. Now I'll provide some information about Hank Williams because I wish to give space to artists who aren't reviewed on DeBaser but whom I consider great.

Who is Hank Williams? Bohh... some younger readers might think, and there's no shame in it because this great artist, born in Alabama in '23, was already active pre-war when, at just 16, he left his family. Accompanied by the Drifting Cowboys, he began spreading his music, initially playing at a local radio station and then in the Honky Tonk bars of the southwest. In '46, he moved to Nashville, and after securing a contract, he recorded his first single "Move it on over" in '47. Since then, this little man with the appearance of a frail and delicate Cowboy made his mark on the Country scene, making it into the Country Western Top Ten about forty times (an unprecedented feat considering he wrote less than 70 songs).

His career was brief, as it was marred by drug use, but mostly by alcohol abuse. He died at 29 in '53 from an overdose. With Jimmie Rodgers, he played a crucial role in transforming Hillbilly into modern Country, influencing almost all musicians who shared his roots, such as Johnny Cash, Willie Nelson, Gram Parsons, John Fogerty. Even rock artists played his compositions like George Thorogood, Loggin and Messina, the Crooner Tony Bennett, and many, many others. Songs like "You Win Again" "Jambalaya" "Lovesick Blues" "Your Cheatin Heart" "Hey Good Lookin" "Cold Cold Heart" are milestones in music history, not surprisingly, he was among the first to enter the Country Music Hall of Fame.

If I have managed to pique your interest, for those who can afford it, I recommend "Complete Hank Williams (1998) - Hank Williams Senior," 10 CDs with his entire discography. The downside is that it costs quite a bit, so if you don't want to spend too much, "40 Greatest Hits" is the right choice for you, two CDs with the best of his work. You can take it home for about 17 euros... among other things, it also includes my favorite song "I'm so lonesome I could cry", a poignant piece that moves me every time I listen to it.