Customer Reviews

Three Hanks

5 star:		(13)
4 star:		(4)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(1)

 

 

This project began as a way to get Hank III "on record" by pairing him with his father, Hank Jr. and his long-dead granddad, Hank Sr. Cute idea, and would not have meant much except that Hank III is a budding artist of exceptional promise, and Hank Jr. still has what it takes, and Hank Sr. is well, Hank Sr., and his songs are still great no matter who does what to them, and the producer, Chuck Howard, must be a genius. This album is so much fun to hear, and holds up well after repeated exposure. Wisely, the younger Hanks left Senior's greatest songs alone...they don't take a stab at "You Win Again" or "Cold Cold Heart" or "I'm So Lonesome I Could Cry." They instead select "I Won't Be Home No More" and nail it in the best version I've ever heard. They also perform "I'll Never Get Out of This World Alive" and "Men With Broken Hearts", "Lost Highway" and "Never Again Will I Knock on Your Door" in killer renditions. Hank Jr. sings "Hand Me Down", a poignant song of his own about a note his father left him that he didn't discover until he was grown. Even if the song is not literally true, it is wonderfully done. This turned out to be a nice mixture of moods and tempos, and the voices of the three Hanks are just different enough. Don't pay the extra-high price for the IMPORT version, but if you can find this at the cost of a normal U.S. CD, you won't regret it.

I was raised listening to both Hank Williams's honky tonk sound and Hank Jr's pure outlaw sound. I love both. I was pleased to hear that Hank Jr. and Hank III were working together to honor the music of the Williams family. I love Hank Jr's heart felt, "Hand Me Down" and Hank III's duet with his grandfather, who he looks and sounds so much like. In "Hand Me Down" Hank says, talking about a note his father left him, about when it came time to pass the torch to the next generation, "Teach him all of your songs and how his Gradaddy moans and tell that boy to hand me down." Well, Hank certainly did that. Hank III learned how his Grandaddy moaned and can do it, just as well. I think it's only fitting that the three of these men sing "Move It On Over." When Hank Jr. did it, it was like he was telling his father that it was his turn, now Hank III seems to be saying it to his father and grandfather. This was a great album, paying tribute to one of the premier families in country music. Well done!

Once again, it's proved that the music of the elder Hank is timeless. Overdubbed (yes, you purists will hate it!)with "new" country backing with the added voices of Jr. & III. The real treat, though, is Hank III harmonizing with his grandfather! If you like Hank, Sr., you'll like Hank III. All we need now is for Mercury Nashville to re-release the 60's albums of Hank, Sr. & Jr. together on CD.

This is the follow-up to "There's A Tear In My Beer" which now boasts Hank III's participation. Is it just a gimmick just to have a rather short album featuring three generations of musical talent?

Despite its short running time (about a half-hour) it shows how dead closely Hank III's voice resembles Hank William Sr.'s voice. Jr., on the other hand, does have some good vocals as well and is a great counterpoint to the other two voices of his kin.

Two standout tracks on this album are "Where The Soul Of Man Never Dies" where the three Hanks plus Miss Audrey Williams have a great little hoedown. Another is the album's opener "I'll Never Get Out Of This World Alive". And while I was disappointed with the abbreviated version of "Lost Highway" there is a tiny hidden track which is very cute (is that the daughter of Hank Jr. or III providing the vocals?)

Could it be genius to having all three Hanks on one album? Or is it just a mere gimmick just due to its brief running time? Either way it does sound quite good and is worth a listen now and then. It's not essential but does work as a nice little tribute to the man in that family who first moaned the blues.

Topping this off is the booklet which accompanies the album. If you're new to the music of the Three Hanks at least you can find the original Hank Williams Sr. tracks and compare them to these remakes. The liner notes provide enough information to help get a start on exploring the Three Hanks' music further.

Obviously one can tell right from the start that this is nothing more than a marketing ploy. Hank, Jr. fans will get exposure to III, Hank, Sr. fans will get exposure to not only Hank III, but they will also learn that Jr. has calmed down and became the quintessential country legend that George Jones has became down through the years. But, if nothing else, fans of each diverse artist will want this, so it's almost a guaranteed sale!

Many fans familiar with the Sr. LP's of the 60's may not know what to expect. MGM released two LP's in that decade heralding a "recording miracle" of father and son singing together. Well, what you wound up with was something similar to Liberty's "Visual Sound" stereo with Hank, Sr. in one channel and Hank, Jr. in the other. The Drifting Cowboys faded out with Hank and then Hank, Jr. came into the other channel with his "band" and then eventually, Sr. was brought back w/ the Drifting Cowboys for Jr. to harmonize-and harmonize he DID NOT!! It was awful-Jr. was so out of key!

Of course, by 1989, recording technologies had improved and the "collaboration" of Sr. and Jr. on "<I>There's A Tear In My Beer</I>" (what an awful title for a song!) was not distinguishable that it WAS NOT recorded totally in 1989. So, due to improved technologies, this was put forth as a new effort at updating the classic Hank, Sr. style.

Hank, Sr. shines through on anything done on here as does Jr. Hank III in many cases seems as if though he's trying to be a cross between Sr. and Tim McGraw and his stuff doesn't always work well. "<I>Moanin' The Blues</I>" comes off as a Western Swing type number, "<I>Move It On Over</I>" and "<I>Honky Tonk Blues</I>" come off as rockabilly numbers as they have lended themselves to so well ever since they were recorded. As a matter of fact, rumor has it that "<I>Move It On Over</I>" was the complete inspiration for "<I>Rock Around The Clock</I>" by Bill Haley and his Comets.

Hank, Jr's solo's work very well and leave no hint of the once wild Southern rocker inflected country/rock singer. Hank III's one solo, a re-working of Hank, Sr.'s demo "<I>'Neath A Cold Grey Tomb of Stone</I>", works very well, though III is a bit nasal in his performance.

The standout is the group gospel number complete with Audrey and (uncredited) "Health and Happiness Show" announcer Grant Turner. The song that does not work is "<I>Men With Broken Hearts</I>". It becomes painfully obvious that the recording technology of 1949 doesn't equal that of today's. It would sound as if Hank, Sr. phoned in his part over a bad connection (he must've been using my phone company-BPS communications!) and plus the fact that Hank III butchers this one to no end-you'll be glad when it's over.

The edited take of "<I>Lost Highway</I>" is somewhat non-sensical. I would have preferred to have had a whole overdubbed version of it myself, but so it goes.

If you like any of the three, this is a must have. It offers a perspective on Hank differently than any other compilation and is quite entertaining. You won't be disappointed.

The first one I received had really bad scratchy sounds in the background of every song. I sent it back and Amazon made it easy to return and get another one. The second one has very faint scratchy sounds in some of the songs(possibly from incorporating the original Hank songs), but it's a really good CD at a really good price and I'm glad I have it.

Wow, what a hoot! When I first heard the song There's A Tear In My Beer, which was sung by Hank Williams, Jr. and his late father, I thought that it was one of the greatest songs that I ever heard. At the time I said that I understood why they didn't want to do that too often, but little did I know that there was a whole album like that!

This wonderful album combines the singing talents of Hank Williams Sr., Hank Williams Jr. and the up-and-coming Hank Williams III. The songs are wonderfully produced, and the Hank Williams Sr. vocals go along seamlessly with the rest of the parts. Heck, I even liked what they did with Lost Highway, which features the elder Hank with entirely new music.

Am I gushing? You bet I am! I really enjoy this album, and love listening to it every chance I get. If you like good Country Music, and I mean REALLY GOOD Country Music, then you will like this album. I think that it's great and I highly recommend it.

This is a great record. I never realized what a fine singer Hank Jr. is. It'll break your heart. I love it. All three Hanks are true American artists who understand what sufferin' is all about.

Awesome Country Music From Past & Present,If You Like Hank Williams Buy This CD. Every Track Is A Gem & The CD Has Been Compiled Brilliantly Combining The 3 Hanks, Well Done.

EXCELLENT!!! The way they compiled these 3 great voices together is a miracle!!! The sound is simply "awesome". One Hank will sing a part, then another Hank will sing another part, and so on. These are re-mixed upbeat Rock versions of these Hank William's Classics. This cd contains the classic "Men with Broken Hearts" - everyone should hear this song before they die. This is simply a poetic masterpiece, and this 3 Hank's version is "awesome". This is "required" listening for any Hank fan!!! I've seen Hank Jr. perform live and he is great. Thanks and may God Bless!!!