Timeless: Hank Williams Tribute

Bought the album based on others reviews. Hank Williams songs just aren't the same when sung by someone else. Newer renditions certainly sound better, quality wise, as opposed to an old scratchy vinyl. I guess I am just a purist and appreciate the originals as opposed to Bob Dylan or Keith Richards version.

This cd timeless;hank williams tribute is one of the best tribute cds that i have heard. I recommed to anyone who likes hank williams music.

A musical performer knows that he or she has arrived when they have accumulated enough laurels and created enough songs to be worthy, at least in some record producer's eyes, of a tribute album. When they are also alive to accept the accolades as two out of the four of the artists under review are, which in these cases is only proper, that is all to the good. That said, not all tribute albums are created equally. Some are full of star-studded covers, others are filled with lesser lights who have been influenced by the artist that they are paying tribute to. As a general proposition though I find it a fairly rare occurrence, as I have noted in a review of the "Timeless" tribute album to Hank Williams, that the cover artist outdoes the work of the original recording artist. With that point in mind I will give my "skinny" on the cover artists here.

In a review of a Hank Williams anthology ("Gold", see review this space) in this space I noted that I have been listening to a local weekend folk, rock and contemporary music interview show here in Boston for years. The format of the show is to interview, in depth, contemporary well-known singers, songwriters and musicians as well as young unknowns looking to make their mark. One of the questions always asked of each interviewee is about formative influences on their musical development. Although I do not believe that I have ever heard what I would consider a country singer interviewed on the show the name Hank Williams has come up many more times than any other from young and old interviewees alike. That tells the tale of the importance of this man's work, beyond the obvious country influence.

Here some of those well-known musicians mentioned above pay tribute to Hank's influence by covering his songs for a 50th Anniversary of his death edition. A strange occasion for a tribute one might say, although no so for the fast-living, hard-driving, hard drinking Mr. Williams. The likes of Bob Dylan (a subject of many tribute covers himself) on a rocking " Can't Get You Off Of My Mind", Johnnie Cash reciting the tearful "I Dreamed About Mama Last Night" and Beck on the mournful "You're Cheatin' Heart" do his memory honor with their own interpretations. I would note, however that, unlike a number of other artists such as the above-noted Dylan, that cover versions of Hank's songs do not usually measure up to the verve and imprint on the mind of his original renditions. The great exception here is Lucinda Williams (no relation, as far as I know) whose rendition of "Cold, Cold Heart" captured all the pathos, and more, of that tune. So long, one more time, Honky-Tonk Man. Listen on.











A musical performer knows that he or she has arrived when they have accumulated enough laurels and created enough songs to be worthy, at least in some record producer eyes, to warrant a tribune album. When they are also alive to accept the accolades as two out of the four of the artists under review are, which is only proper, that is all to the good (this is part of a larger review of tributes to Greg Brown, Bob Dylan, Mississippi John Hurt and Hank Williams). That said, not all tribute albums are created equally. Some are full of star-studded covers, others with lesser lights who have been influenced by the artist that they are paying tribute to. As a general proposition though I find it a fairly rare occurrence, as I noted in a review of the "Timeless" tribute album to Hank Williams, that the cover artist outdoes the work of the original recording artist. With that point in mind I will give my "skinny" on the cover artists here.

In a review of a Hank Williams anthology in this space I noted that I have been listening to a local weekend folk, rock and contemporary music interview show here in Boston for years. The format of the show is to interview, in depth, contemporary well-known singers, songwriters and musicians as well as young unknowns looking to make their mark. One of the questions always asked of each interviewee is about formative influences on their musical development. Although I do not believe that I have ever heard what I would consider a country singer interviewed on the show the name Hank Williams has come up many more times than any other from young and old interviewees alike. That tells the tale of the importance of this man's work, beyond the obvious country influence.

Here some of those well-known musicians mentioned above pay tribute to Hank's influence by covering his songs for a 50th Anniversary of his death edition. A strange occasion for a tribute one might say, although no so for the fast-living, hard-driving, hard drinking Mr. Williams. The likes of Bob Dylan (a subject of many tribute covers himself) on a rocking " Can't Get You Off Of My Mind", Johnnie Cash reciting the tearful "I Dreamed About Mama Last Night" and Beck on the mournful "You're Cheatin' Heart" do his memory honor with their own interpretations. I would note, however that, unlike a number of other artists such as the above-noted Dylan, that cover versions of Hank's songs do not usually measure up to the verve and imprint on the mind of his original renditions. The great exception here is Lucinda Williams (no relation, as far as I know) whose rendition of "Cold, Cold Heart" captured all the pathos, and more, of that tune. So long, one more time Honky-Tonk Man. Listen on.

Unlike many "die hard" C&W fans reviewing this album who do not like this becasue they want contemporary dorks singing Hank's calssics or they never heard of artists like Beck; I hate this cd for other reasons. The main one is becasue it blows. A legend being covered by a star-studded lineup would make you doubt this review but it's true. I love Petty, Beck, Dylan and others on here and I also love great county music. Sadly, none of this matters here as the songs are lifeless, awkward, and depressing. It is a $3 cd at best with no songs worthy of any quality jukebox nor has any redeeming value for completists who want the rare b-side. If you must, download Emmylou's "Alone and Forsaken" as it is the best song of the bunch (and that aint sayin much)

I think you country fans are being a little hard on this one. I think the point of this album is to, not only pay tribute to THE greatest singer songwriter of all time, but to introduce him to people who may not otherwise have heard his music. Who wants to hear Bocephus sing more of his daddys songs? He's done that already. When Hank Sr. Was alive and making music , there were only really 2 types of popular music (as opposed to the virtually limitless styles we have now ) being made: country & blues, both styles Hank openly embraced. So this album also pays tribute to that very same spirit of experimenting and cross-pollenation. Every artist on this album is notorious for dipping their respective feathers in many musical inks. Tom Petty, Keith Richards,Lucinda Williams, Ryan Adams & Hank III's contributions are the standouts to me , but there isn't one bad tune here. Anyone with a genuine love for Music, will appreciate 'Timeless'. Maybe modern ''Country'' artists like Toby Keith, Travis Tritt ,Brad Paisley, Kenny Chesney etc. should take notice of this one ,organize a stellar and respectful tribute the way Mr.Bob Dylan did here, and pay a little of their own respect to the Long Gone Daddy that made it possible for their music to be heard today.