Customer Reviews

The Essential Tom T. Hall: Twentieth Anniversary Collection-The Story Songs

5 star:		(12)
4 star:		(1)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

I'm a native of Carter Co. Kentucky, Tom T. Hall's homeplace. My father attended school with him in Olive Hill, KY. As a result I was introduced to his music at an early age. If you haven't listened to much Tom T., I suggest this album as a good starting point. His music is sincere, insightful, and powerful. I left eastern Kentucky a long time ago, but whenever I want to go back home, I throw his CDs in the player and his words take me home. Even if you're not from eastern Kentucky, his music will touch you, as he has a gift for observing and relating the human condition. HIGHLY RECOMMENDED!

Nobody told a story in a song like Tom T. Hall. In the late '60s and '70s, you might hear "Week in a Country Jail," Homecoming, "Old Dogs, Children, '''", "Clayton Delaney," etc., on the radio. You sure to God won't now, and more's the pity. Anybody dumb enough to judge this singer based on "I like Beer," like my family did, is foolishly uninformed. 10 of these songs I've never heard before, but his reputation is rock solid and I'm buying, sight unseen. The one song of his I truly disliked--"That Song is Driving Me Crazy," isn't even on this album, so I'm banking on a winner, taking a sure thing. Nobody sounded like Tom T. Hall, either--unlike to-day, where everybody sounds like everybody else. Hall, Haggard, Cash, Twitty, Dave Dudley--you couldn't confuse them with anybody else, by voice, style of song they would record, etc.

Country fans should not be dissuaded that only 7 of the 20 selections herein made the Billboard charts. "The Story Songs" are not a "Greatest Hits" compilation. They are pure country magic from the Old Storyteller from Olive Hill, Kentucky. This reviewer was unfamiliar with most of the songs, but took the advice of previous reviewer Wardlow and bought "sight unseen". A wise move! Virtually each of the 20 tracks pleases the ear here. Favorites are always highly subjective, but this reviewer liked a cynical "Ballad of 40 Dollars", a foot tapping "Ballad of Bill Crump" (`he made the church, he made the pew') and "The Homecoming". There are 2 fine "sung" tracks; "Old Dogs.." and "Who's Gonna Feed Them Hogs?". The final 3 tracks are real life sad; Tom T must have been writing about folks he knew. Life must be better than fiction. How else does he derive these "stories"? In fact, most of his songs seem to capture life in the raw; other country performers have done the same but none so consistently as Hall. Here is a singer/songwriter who truly throws himself into his work. This observer does not know why most of these tracks were not "hits". They probably are not "radio" releases, but must be listened to for complete appreciation. That is what CDs are for! There are minor low points here: This reviewer could have done without "Salute to a Switchblade", about some not so memorable Army days. Also, some of the tracks, notably those final 3 are sad! But since when does country music have to cheer folks up? Tom T might not be for casual country listeners but for veterans the best advice to my amazon friends is to indeed buy sight unseen. Be adventurous and hit that "Add to Cart" button.

20=+ years ago,I met Tom.T.Hall at a local event....what a super entertainer he is!His songs will go on and on and on Forever!

Tom T. is one of my favorite artists. His talents are very obvious in this album. I had looked for Turn It On, Turn It On, Turn It On for a long time and accidentally found it while browsing the Amazon site. Tom T. Hall has written many songs, story songs, ballads and some very good gospel. All the songs on this album have a lot of truth in them. Anyone will enjoy this collection of some of the best of Tom. I have added it to my collection with pride.

Tom T. Hall's music is wonderful to listen to for children of all ages. His manner of story telling is very informative and entertaing.

Tom T. Hall's musical legacy should better represented than it currently is. Only a few of his great Seventies albums are currently in print, and most of those are imports. The alternative? Get this collection and his box set and you'll have a lot of fine music--including some razor-sharp songs--in your possession. When Tom T. Hall tells a story in song, no one else does it better.

Tom Has been Around for a few years, His music is not to popular, but if you like listing to ballads and other kinds of music, then you came to the right person. His style of the ballads and the way that he puts the music together made him one of the best singers of ballads. I don't have any favorites I like most of all of the music that he sings. My first music that I heard from his was a cassette and I can't find that cassette anymore on CD anywhere. I don't know the name of the cassette but the music was the best that he has song in a whil

The CD is as good as I expected it to be, It arrived in good condition in less than the expected time. I do wonder why I bought an American country music CD from a supplier whose name implies that it is imported.

In this album the tapestry of life is masterfully woven with the special fibers that lace life together and ignite the emotions and memories that course through those who like my dear compadre Jim Desmond take the time to observe through the clear lenses of Tom T. Hall the ordinary that - when illuminated as only he can do - comes into full radiance and meaning. Tom T. along with Jimmy Rodgers, Hank Williams Sr. and Merle Haggard stand securely at the very pinnacle of composition and delivery! Joe Ben La Grone