The Complete Hank Williams
After so many years of so many haphazard, oft-overdubbed, slapdash Hank Williams reissues, this lavish package seems truly an embarrassment of riches. Imagine being able to dip in and listen to the unadorned music from the whole of this pioneer's musical career, along with preserved historical spoken words. His career truly represents the major turning point in country music's history, and this box set--music and densely packed attendant memorabilia--is as much a social history of America at mid-20th century as it is a music document. Williams's recording career lasted only six years and he died tragically at age 29, but he left a musical and emotional legacy that grows year by year. To sketch the basics ofThe Complete Hank Williams: There are 10 CDs encompassing 225 cuts from all parts of his career--the demos, the radio shows, the Opry debut triumph. Musical revelations abound....--Chet Flippo