Customer Reviews

Sing Great Country Favorites

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Run, don't walk, to your nearest computer terminal/music store and order/buy this fabulous album. Bear Family Records really does do things up right, and they score big time, again, with the re-release of this album on cd. If you like Connie, and you like country, and you like Hank Jr, this is one of those rare culminations of unlikely pairings that just dazzles. I wore out 2 copies of this album on vinyl, and snagged this as soon as it came out on disc back in the mid '90's........Truly a MUST-HAVE album.....this issue also contains 2 alternate takes.......trust me, "It's A Keeper"

The tracks on this were laid down in 1964, and didnt do well back then, according to its cover. We, (my wife and I} absolutely love it, we play it all the time and because it is an unusual mix of talent that we dont hear very often. Hank Williams Jnr and the great Connie Francis, people who hear it want to hear it again. My personal favorite is Send me the pillow, sung as only Connie Francis can sing it. My wife plays it on the CD player in the car real loud you can always tell when she comes in the driveway. All I can say is if you like Connie or Hank buy it . Regards to all

This unusual but very enjoyable album was thought up by MGM executives to help boost the mass appeal of Hank Williams, Jr., who was only 15 when he recorded this album with Connie Francis. The year was 1964 and Connie and Hank were decidedly "un-cool" in the American popular music market, which was experiencing the British Invasion at the time. It is interesting to note, however, that MGM believed Connie's clout would help Hank "break out." It didn't happen. The album didn't go anywhere and it is a true rarity to find it today. I think it is a lot of fun to listen to and has very high production values. Both voices are beautiful -- and I think Connie handles country quite well! She had an incredibly pure and fluid style that lends itself well to the traditional country selections featured on the disc. My favorite tracks are "Send Me The Pillow That You Dream On," "Just Walk on By," and "Muleskinner Blues." (Hearing Connie do a respectable yodel was a pleasant shock, er, surprise! You have to hear it to believe it!!) I think this selection proves that Connie Francis was very brave musically and ahead of her time in terms of collaborations and unusual recording projects. Duet albums like this became all the rage in the '70s and '80s (think George Jones and Tammy Wynette or Kenny Rogers and Dolly Parton), by which time much of the public had forgotten about Connie. I wonder what Hank Williams, Jr. thinks of the album -- I've never seen it listed in his discographies! This is a must-have for serious collectors and a bunch of fun for the casual listener. I'd love to see a contemporary country music station build a special show around it -- and ask Connie and Hank to do an interview together! Buy it!

Just to hear the way Connie handles "No Letter Today & Making Believe" is worth 10 times the price of this cd alone. Back in 1964 when this was recorded, the music was lush with plenty of vocal backing. As a matter of fact the same person who has done some work for KD Lang on her country side arranged this material for Connie. It is top knotch, wonderful and refreshing. I can remember as a kid hearing "If You've Got The Money" from the album playing on the radio. Never could find the album. It was the single release from the album but just didn't make it. In her heyday Connie had it all, voice, delivery, and phrasing to match Frank any day. Give it a listen to and see what the hype is about. Connie one of the most beautiful and overlooked voices in popular music. Beautiful just beautiful.

Connie Francis is not a duet singer. Her voice is too powerful and dramatic and stands on it's own merit. She is coupled with a very young Hank Jr. and sings circles around him. At times when allowed, they do make some nice harmonies together, but not that often. This is a Connie Francis recording all the way and it would be interesting to know what Hank thought about pairing with this veteran performer at the time. This is not to say this is a bad CD. The alternate version of "No Letter Today" and "Walk on By" Connie comes on strong and Hank even manages to hold his own against the intimitating Ms. Francis. Of all the C&W duet CDs released, this is one of the most interesting pairings and worth the purchase. It is the only one to have historical merit and the songs are all standards. Enjoy.

I have found Hank Jr to be an acquired taste. He grows on you though. All of the reviews of this album have been fairly positive, and I must agree, I thought it was a very nice packaging, and the production of the sessions was top notch! connie Francis never dissapoints, but for most collectors of an album of this nature, I think the real attraction is the very young Hank found here. I understand that Hank was in an akward place during this time in his life, and the liner notes mention that the two singers were sort of put in a room together for this covers collection, but their voices and session musicians are in top form. While some of the covers like "Wolverton" do tend to lag a little uncomfortably, Hank and Connie were wonderful duet partners. While Hank is far from the boisterous Bocephus he would grow to become, once he had found his own voice, here, he certainly adds a warmth to these tracks. I for one think the that his early material is good in it's own way, and this is a nice example of it.

I'm a big fan of Connie Francis, but the chemistry between Connie and Hank (who is good performer) is missing. Songs are badly produced and boring.