Customer Reviews

Hank Thompson and Friends

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

 

 

For those of you who don't know who Hank Thompson is, this is a great chance to get to know this CMA Hall of Famer.

The album opens with a rendition of the classic Thompson song "Six Pack to Go." Thompson is accompanied on this number by Vince Gill, who lends a high and lonesome sound that adds dimension to this, one of my personal favorite songs by this Texas songwriter.

Hank is accompanied on this album by stars from a variety of backgrounds, such as Delaney and Bonnie who do a great rendention of "Dry Bread", as well as by their daughter Bekka Bramlett who lends her booming voice to fill out "I Picked a San Antonio Rose." "Hooked on Honky Tonk" features Brooks and Dunn lending that bar room feel to the song. And then there is the treat of listening to Hank's traditonal western voice weaving in and out with the velvet throated Lyle Lovett on the humorous number "Total Stranger," a treat that alone is worth buying this cd for.

The performers that Hank sounds most at home with are Junior Brown, who lends both voice and guit-steel to "Sell Them Chickens", and George Jones featured on the song Hank wrote especially for them, "Hey George, Hey Hank."

But the coup de grace on this album has to be Hank performing his classic "Wild Side of Life", only to be answered, as he was in real life, by Kitty Wells and Tanya Tucker doing the song that made Wells a household name, "It Wasn't God Who Made Honky Tonk Angels".

Buy this album! Listen to this album! Enjoy this album! Have your faith restored in the music biz!

I have been a Thompson fan since finding one of his Greatest Hits albums in a radio station where I was working in 1969. I know I played his stuff more than was justified by his popularity at the time,but The King of Western Swing made me a devotee of the music for life. Hearing this CD reaffirmed several feelings on Hank's music. It still sounds great,as does Hank; the modern musicians and recording techniques only serve to enhance a nearly pefect product,and whether the material is new or old,it just feels beter when Hank sings it. Frankly, I could have done just fine without the "Friends",but it was particularly pleasing to hear the likes of Vince Gill,David Ball,Tanya Tucker,Lyle Lovett,and other contemporary stars singing with one of the Masters,and sounding as though they loved every minute of it.

As an old Okie who grew up in the '50s listening to the Texas/Oklahoma variety of western swing music, Hank Thompson always stood out as the best ever. His band was always top notch, tight and tasteful, with a sound that made people want to dance. Hank's singing, with that warm sincere voice, always pleased the ear. On this new CD he sounds exactly the same, if not better, and the band is great. His unique songs like "Green Light" and "I'll Still be Here Tomorrow" show his mix of humor and simple sincerity, with musical taste.

For those of you who don't know who Hank Thompson is, this is a great chance to get to know this CMA Hall of Famer.

The album opens with a rendition of the classic Thompson song "Six Pack to Go." Thompson is accompanied on this number by Vince Gill, who lends a high and lonesome sound that adds dimension to this, one of my personal favorite songs by this Texas songwriter.

Hank is accompanied on this album by stars from a variety of backgrounds, such as Delaney and Bonnie who do a great rendention of "Dry Bread", as well as by their daughter Bekka Bramlett who lends her booming voice to fill out "I Picked a San Antonio Rose." "Hooked on Honky Tonk" features Brooks and Dunn lending that bar room feel to the song. And then there is the treat of listening to Hank's traditonal western voice weaving in and out with the velvet throated Lyle Lovett, a treat that alone is worth buying this cd for.

But the coup de grace on this album has to be Hank performing his classic "Wild Side of Life", only to be answered, as he was in real life, by Kitty Wells and Tanya Tucker doing the song that made Wells a household name, "It Wasn't God Who Made Honky Tonk Angels".

Buy this album! Listen to this album! Enjoy this album! Have your faith restored in the music biz!

Grew up in the Ozarks with Hank Thompson and the Brazos Valley Boys. I cannot recommend this CD too highly - modern recording quality with great guests.

Some of Hank's most popular and done very very well. Most excellent Merle Travis finger style breaks and turn-arounds, too.

Just a knock out - have it in may car for travel, my garage workshop, and Family room.