>Joe Gracey wrote;
>son, I was playing Hank Snow records on the radio in 1966 when he was
>still a star, and I couldn't stand him then, either.
>
>
>-Hank Snow has a reputation of being a cantankerous old bastard, but he
made enough good stuff that warrants a listen. "Music Makin' Mama from
Memphis" is one hell of a song and his guitar work is spectacular.
He was older than both the other Hanks and hence his listening patterns were
based on Jimmie Rodgers and Canada's other early superstar, Wilf Carter (aka
Montana Slim). He also had things pretty tough and whilst I wouldn't
recommend his autobiography in its entirety ( he gives himself the ability
to move mountains in later chapters) the early part is darn good. He tells
of his first ever recording session in the mid 30s when he had to travel 2
1/2 days to get there, recorded two songs and then heard nothing for six months.
Hank's mid 60s recordings are pretty solid and if the "tragic" song is your
cup of tea I say I'd rate him above Hank Williams and other great exponents
of the art such as Porter Wagoner.
But I dare say if you dared to make a reference to his "barely detectable"
toupe in his presence you'd be banished to the Canadian wilds quicker than
you could blink.
Give Clarence a bit of a listen...at least the aforementioned "MMM from M"
and "I've Been Everywhere", "Golden Rocket" etc.
Steve Reid-
>
~
