Hank Williams: The Man and His Music

Tribute shows come and go--and the truth is that with occasional exceptions (such as 2001's All-Star Tribute to Brian Wilson [VL-1/02]), most of them should never have come, while the rest should stay gone for good. Recorded in 1980, this one isn't bad, which is mostly a tribute (so to speak) to the enduring quality of Hank Williams' songs. It'd be hard to screw up tunes such as “I'm So Lonesome I Could Cry,” “Jambalaya,” “Cold, Cold Heart,” “Your Cheating Heart,” and other Williams immortals, and the performers here don't, with solid turns from Johnny Cash, Roy Acuff, and Hank Williams, Jr. (who also hosts). In addition, the program features several recreations of events in Williams' life, with Jim Owen doing a credible job standing in for Hank; the fact that they don't shy away from the self-destructive tendencies, including a nasty drinking habit that led to his death in 1953 at age 29, also helps. Fact is, Hank Williams is still about the biggest star that country music has ever produced, and this is a pretty decent way to remember him. A strong optional purchase. Aud: P. (S. Graham)