Customer Reviews

Roy Acuff sings Hank Williams

5 star:		(1)
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When you have music coming from an artist like Roy Acuff, how can it really be anything BUT five stars? The details are in the 3.5 (?) star review.

Originally issued in 1966 on the Hickory label, this tribute to the songs of Hank Williams was something of a corporate family affair. Hickory was the house label of Acuff-Rose publishing, the publisher through which Williams worked. Acuff's hit records of the '40s had been a major influence on Williams' songwriting, and though these latter-day renditions don't match the incendiary pain of Williams' originals, the material fits Acuff to a tee. Fourteen years after Williams' untimely death, Acuff cut a dozen of his songs, with simple arrangements that highlight the lyrics.

Five bonus tracks cherry-pick additional Acuff performances of songs written by or associated closely with Williams. A spare, emotional 1958 recording of Leon Payne's "They'll Never Take Her Love From Me" contrasts with the more sedate later sessions, as does a rousing 1963 take of "I Saw the Light." The closer, 1978's "Lonesome Whistle" is previously unreleased. Wesley Rose's 1966 productions are reproduced in their original wide stereo, and the bonus tracks in a mix of mono (13-14) and stereo (15-17). While there's no substitute for Williams' seminal originals, fans of Acuff and Williams will enjoy the chance to hear these two greats intersect. 3-1/2 stars, if allowed fractional ratings. [©2007 hyperbolium dot com]