20 of Hank Williams' Greatest Hits

Hank Williams Sr.

Product Details

• Audio CD (October 17, 1990)
• Original Release Date: October 17, 1990
• Number of Discs: 1
• Label: Mercury Nashville
• ASIN: B000001EWA
• Also Available in: Audio Cassette  |  MP3 Download
• Average Customer Review: 4.8 out of 5 stars See all reviews (27 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #4,763 in Music (See Bestsellers in Music)

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Editorial Reviews

Amazon.com essential recording
Hank 101. Country 101. After 27 years in print as 24 Greatest Hits, Mercury kindly reduced it to 20 Greatest Hits. It's still excellent value, and it's still sobering to realize that Hank recorded just 66 songs during his lifetime, almost all of them essential. Here are those that serve as a working definition of country music, and as an admonition to artists who try to get too wordy or try to lose themselves in minor keys. "Your Cheatin' Heart," "Honky-Tonk Blues," "Cold, Cold Heart," "Lovesick Blues," "You Win Again," "I Can't Help It," "I'm So Lonesome I Could Cry," and the rest. Fifty years later, they still have the power to move, and the power to shape modern country music. --Colin Escott

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

57 of 58 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Not just great country music -- great MUSIC., April 15, 2002

By	Michael A. Beyer (Chicago, IL United States) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

Hank Williams, Sr. stands as one of the great songwriters of the 20th Century. Just look at the diverse number of artists who have covered his music -- from Ray Charles to Elvis Costello to even George Thorogood (whose version of "Move It On Over" is absolutely outstanding). There isn't a bad cut in this 20-song collection, and the chord progressions on some songs (like "Lovesick Blues") are amazingly sophisticated.

There's no doubt that Hank Williams is pure country. However, it doesn't matter if you're coming to this album straight from your collection of Beck and Radiohead CDs -- the great songs stick with you after just a few listens. I think Williams should be considered one of the immortal composers of this century, and should stand alongside names like George Gershwin, Jimmie Rodgers, Woody Guthrie, Bob Dylan and Neil Young. These men cannot be pigeonholed into neat and tidy genres. Put plain, they are all great songwriters.

I've been getting deeper and deeper into country/American music since the day I walked into a used CD shop and purchased Gram Parsons' two classic solo albums and Elvis' Sun sessions. Of course, you can't begin on this road of C&W musical exploration without stopping to listen to a little Hank Williams.

The first thing that hit me about "Greatest Hits" was the raw emotion of Hank's voice, and the stark, weather-beaten honesty of his music. But the main thing that comes across, time and time again, is the superior craftsmanship of the songs.

"Essential" is such an overused word these days, but the adjective absolutely applies to this CD.

26 of 27 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A perfect one CD intro to Hank's music., September 26, 2000

By	Ronald George Reagan (Steele, MO) - See all my reviews

Ok, so you don't want to spring for a two CD set on Hank? Well, kudos to Mercury (yes, some might find it strange I say that) for giving casual fans a one disc set that cuts it down to the nitty-gritty, can't live without selections Hank recorded. This is all you need to find out about Hank if you're new to Hank. I must agree with Colin Escott when he says Country 101. This is the definitive intro to the man who made a lasting effect on country music as we know it. Some of this music is over 50 years old, but it still sounds modern and undated. Kudos to Kira Florita & Colin Escott for giving casual fans the perfect intro disc.

9 of 9 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars HANK TELLS IT LIKE IT IS, August 28, 2006

By	D. W. Rossa "D. W. Rossa" (Chicago, IL USA) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

I remember Hank. He could not write a bad song if he tried. The majority of his songs were about life, love and living. Often I saw myself in his songs.

To me, this collection is the best-of-the-best of Hank. If you like a good love song that tells a story, you will love this CD -- all 20 songs.
Dorothy W. Rossa
Chicago, Illinois