Customer Reviews

Six Pack to Go

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By the time of this album's 1966 release, Thompson was already two years removed from his tenure at Capitol. His then-former label pulled this 12-pack from tracks Thompson recorded in the late '50s and early 60's, including the 1961 title smash. Like many of the albums Thompson recorded in the late '50s, Capitol assembled this one along a thematic line, with bars and drinking at the center of every song.

Thompson's Western Swing is equally at home on the two-stepping "Honky Tonk Town" as it is on the polkas "Beer Barrel Polka" and "Bartender's Polka." His voice is warm and surprisingly upbeat given the tenor of the material. His 1952 smash "The Wild Side of Life" is heard here is a 1962 remake (though not the stereo of which the liner notes speak), retaining its pathos even with the undercutting of a choral background. Better yet is Allen Flatt's "A Broken Heart and a Glass of Beer," which manages to swing along even as tears soak the bar.

Besides rounding up a nice collection of drinking-related titles, Capitol also picked sides on which legendary guitarist Merle Travis lent his distinctive leads. Thompson's Brazos Valley Boys add superb support with fine steel and fiddle throughout. Most of Thompson's original theme albums remain out of print (e.g., "Songs for Rounders"), but lucky for us, Capitol did a fine job of assembling this one, and Sundazed has returned it to domestic print.

Hank does the great Cindy Walker song 'Bubbles in My Beer' on this disc. I think it's the only time he recorded it. A little different take than the Bob Wills/Tommy Duncan version. A lot of other great songs but this one alone makes buying the disc worthwhile.

"Six-Pack To Go" was my radio theme song for over a decade on the air... and it's a doozy of a song! Nice to see it in print along withthe rest of this fun album. Great stuff from one of the biggest and best stars in classic country. Highly recommended! (DJ Joe Sixpack, Slipcue Guide To Hick Music)