Country Legends
Canadian-born Clarence "Hank" Snow was already a star in his homeland when his "I'm Movin' On" became one of 1950's biggest country hits. This 16-track compilation samples nearly a half-century of his recordings for the Nashville division of RCA, including both smashes and entertaining tracks that didn't chart. With a voice that must have been a major influence on the likes ofWillie Nelson(who cut aduet albumwith Snow in 1985) andJimmie Dale Gilmore, Snow excelled at hard country that often carried more than a suggestion of swing. In addition to the likes of "The Golden Rocket," "I've Been Everywhere," and "(Now and Then, There's) A Fool Such As I," the disc offers fine versions of twoJimmie Rodgerstunes ("Mississippi River Blues," "Southern Cannonball"), a Snow-composed Rodgers tribute ("Confused with the Blues"), and a left-field pop-Dixieland track from the late '70s ("A Good Gal Is Hard to Find"). Both an introduction to Snow and a celebration of his versatility, this disc is an excellent bargain for seekers of true country greatness.--Rickey Wright