RE: Rank the Hank question
Barry Mazor nailed part of what makes Snow so enjoyable for me, and the perceptive comment about Snow being a very "white" singer explains part of what made his stuff so interesting to me when I discovered him, along about 1971, when I came across a copy of his Travellin' Blues album, a collection of songs (some or all of which may have been previously released) from country music's early days, notably Jimmie Rodgers numbers. Snow had a lot of Rodgers to him, both the sentimental trash (-per Mr. Dylan) side and the blues side, too. Now, Jimmie Rodgers' blues stuff often has that straight, non-note-bending "white" side to it around the 3rd (less so around the 7th), but Snow's almost always has it, and to someone like me, who had listened to a lot of Black blues, it was fascinating how the rhythms were changed and the bends straightened out. Barry mentions his nasality, but what has always struck me more is his precise enunciation, a real model of clarity like Hank Thompson's. You get every damn syllable with these Hanks, with nary a "what was that line?" in their thousands of combined recordings. That's my idea of serving the song g. BTW, I was the one who expressed a preference for Hank Snow over Hank Williams, and I was pretty careful to qualify it in terms of simple enjoyment. I wouldn't care to make a case that he's more important or better; I just find that if I'm going to go on a Hank listening jag, it's more likely to be Snow or Thompson than the Senior guy. Jon Weisberger Kenton County, KY [EMAIL PROTECTED] http://home.fuse.net/jonweisberger/ Website revised 2/1/99
RE: Rank the Hank question
...part of what made his stuff so interesting to me .. Snow had a lot of Rodgers to him,...Now, Jimmie Rodgers' blues stuff often has that straight, non-note-bending "white" side to it around the 3rd (less so around the 7th), but Snow's almost always has it, and to someone like me, who had listened to a lot of Black blues, it was fascinating how the rhythms were changed and the bends straightened out. Jon Yeah, that's very much like my experience also--fascinated..and fascinated that it worked... There was also that recognition that with the Rodgers blues take, "Well, I could sing THAT, comfortably, without sounding like I'm trying to be something I'm not...I could be at home with that"-(Since I AM, of course, not a black fieldhand , but a singing brakeman from Mississippi.!..) -- I suspect that a reaction something very much like that was part of the impact that Rodgers' music had on a lot of country singers--certainly bigtime fan/followers like Snow and Tubb (and Autry Cliff Carlisle, etc. and some day Merle Haggard)...this was a doable way--as well as a really potent way. As a singer, I'd take Rodgers over Snow for sure--but then, Snow probably would too! Barry
Re: songs of love and hate (was Re: Hank question)
Personal breakup fave: "Will Your Lawyer Talk To God For You?" - Kitty Wells
Re: Rank the Hank question
You know, I don't listen to a lot of Hank W. myself because, frankly-in what can only be considered a pretty high compliment-he just scares the hell out of me. Dan Bentele
Re: Hank question
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- ~
RE: Hank question
You REALLY don't like him, do you? Don't sugar coat it for me, I can take it. All the best, Junior -- From: Joe Gracey[SMTP:[EMAIL PROTECTED]] Reply To: [EMAIL PROTECTED] Sent: Thursday, 4 February 1999 4:08 To: passenger side Subject: Re: Hank question "Walker, Jason" wrote: Oh, yeah - he also broke Elvis Presley. Snow's manager was of course Colonel Tom Parker. I know Snow isn't to everyone's taste but I'm just biased since I was brought up listening to his music through my dad. At least say you'll give him a try Joe. Please? Junior ;-) 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. -- Joe Gracey President-For-Life, Jackalope Records http://www.kimmierhodes.com
RE: Hank question
Amen to that, Steve - his toupe is a work of art as is his house, I hear. Junior -- From: [EMAIL PROTECTED][SMTP:[EMAIL PROTECTED]] Reply To: [EMAIL PROTECTED] Sent: Thursday, 4 February 1999 6:49 To: passenger side Subject: Re: Hank question 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- ~
Re: Hank question
"Walker, Jason" wrote: You REALLY don't like him, do you? Don't sugar coat it for me, I can take it. All the best, Junior Actually, I do like him in sort of the same way you like a goofy old uncle who wears a terrible toupee and gets all worked up about weird stuff. See, Hank was so weird (he wore pink nudie suits, a bowtie, and a really terrible rug and got on all of these off the wall soapboxes from time to time) that he was impossible to take seriously. Obviously the reason he was a star was because of his great voice, his songwriting talent (and song choosing talent), and last but not least because he cultivated the Opry establishment, which I do not begrudge him. In fact, I was just playing some of his songs today with Alvin Crow and Freddie Powers and marveling at how much fun they are to play. I almost think of him as a footnote or something, but not unkindly. One reason I'm slightly grumpy about him is that later in life he became very vociferous about his religion and his distaste for all of us longhaired hippie savages who were ruining country music. Then, he did a sudden about-face and held a press conference in which he announced that since he couldn't beat this new wave of progressive country music, he would join it. This was greeted with awe and astononishment since he was about 200 years old and couldn't make a progressive country record to save his life, but Willie invited him to one of his big wing-dings in Houston and he was just pretty damn weird. I dunno, I think I get him all mixed up in my mind with Roy Acuff and Richard Nixon, or something, that whole era of politics and music. Musically, he's pretty dang good. -- Joe Gracey President-For-Life, Jackalope Records http://www.kimmierhodes.com
Hank question
Ha, I mean Hank Thompson. I was listening this morning to "We've Gone Too Far," on the Capitol Collector's Series CD, and caught what sure sounded like a Dale Potter lick on the fiddle break, but I don't know that Potter ever recorded with Thompson, at least not that early (1954), and I was under the impression, perhaps wrongly, that Thompson was recording out west. So now I'm really curious as to who the fiddler was; does anyone have the Thompson boxed set to check it out? Jon Weisberger Kenton County, KY [EMAIL PROTECTED] http://home.fuse.net/jonweisberger/ Website revised 2/1/99
Re: Hank question
At 09:15 AM 2/2/99 -0500, you wrote: Ha, I mean Hank Thompson. I was listening this morning to "We've Gone Too Far," on the Capitol Collector's Series CD, and caught what sure sounded like a Dale Potter lick on the fiddle break, but I don't know that Potter ever recorded with Thompson, at least not that early (1954), and I was under the impression, perhaps wrongly, that Thompson was recording out west. So now I'm really curious as to who the fiddler was; does anyone have the Thompson boxed set to check it out? Jon Weisberger Kenton County, KY [EMAIL PROTECTED] http://home.fuse.net/jonweisberger/ Website revised 2/1/99 I can't help you, but maybe you can help me. I love the Vintage Collection of Hank Thompson, and have been thinking of buying the Capitol Collector's CD from BMG Music Club. But since it is out of print everywhere else, I can't get a track list. I don't want to but it if it overlaps the Vintage CD too much, so if you could provide a track list or, if you have both, just tell me the # of tracks shared by both CDs. Thanks
RE: Hank question
Here's the track listings for the RCA Essential Hank Snow compilation. I'd say it looks like a solid Snow primer. Unfortunately, unlike all the other American major-label country music reissue series, RCA charges full price for their Essential comps (and generally does a shoddier job to boot). Still, this looks like a good 'un.--don 01. Rhumba Boogie 02. I'm Movin' On 03. The Golden Rocket 04. Unwanted Sign Upon Your Heart 05. Music Makin' Mama From Memphis 06. The Gold Rush Is Over 07. I Don't Hurt Anymore 08. (Now And Then, There's) A Fool Such As I 09. The Gal Who Invented Kissin' 10. I Went To Your Wedding 11. Would You Mind 12. Lady's Man 13. Yellow Roses 14. Miller's Cave 15. Beggar To A King 16. I've Been Everywhere 17. Ninety Miles An Hour 18. Let Me Go, Lover 19. The Wishing Well 20. Hello Love On Tue, 2 Feb 1999 [EMAIL PROTECTED] wrote: Jon, you mention Hank Snow, an artist I'd love to buy a good compilation of. Can you recommend one? Kip
songs of love and hate (was Re: Hank question)
Some of the Hank Snow songs Don mentioned got me to thinking. Valentine's Day is coming up, and I'm doing my annual love songs and breakup songs shows in the next couple of weeks. Anyone have favorites from either camp? Depending on our library, I'm open to requests. Carl Z.
RE: Hank question
Jon, you mention Hank Snow, an artist I'd love to buy a good compilation of. Can you recommend one? The Bombmeister is right that The Essential is a decent collection and that you'll probably have to pay full price for it. There's another widely available collection, Snow Country (Pair) that's budget-priced, and there's a nominally out-of-print collection called I'm Movin' On and Other Great Country Hits that can usually be scared up somewhere or other (especially via BMG's music club), also budget-priced, and with only 2 duplicates from Snow Country. Between the two of them, just about all of Essential is covered, plus a bunch more. Best bang for the buck, then, is the I'm Movin' On/Snow Country combo (40 cuts, c. $22); best single-disc overview is The Essential (20 cuts, c. $15). If you're really tight on dough and you don't care so much about having the hits, Snow Country (20 cuts, c. $11) is o.k. on its own - not that there aren't plenty of hits on it, but not of the same order as on the Essential. Jon Weisberger Kenton County, KY [EMAIL PROTECTED] http://home.fuse.net/jonweisberger/ Website revised 2/1/99
Re: songs of love and hate (was Re: Hank question)
Speaking of Hank S. - "Married by the Bible, Divorced by the Law" would be good for both shows. Heh, heh. Erin At 12:40 PM 2/2/99 -0500, you wrote: Some of the Hank Snow songs Don mentioned got me to thinking. Valentine's Day is coming up, and I'm doing my annual love songs and breakup songs shows in the next couple of weeks. Anyone have favorites from either camp? Depending on our library, I'm open to requests. Carl Z.
RE: songs of love and hate (was Re: Hank question)
Erin says: Speaking of Hank S. - "Married by the Bible, Divorced by the Law" would be good for both shows. Heh, heh. Which is on Snow Country, but not on The Essential. On the other hand, "I Went To Your Wedding" is on The Essential, but not the 2 CDs I recommended, and it's another one you ought to think about, Carl: "Your mother was crying, your father was crying And I was crying too..." Jon Weisberger Kenton County, KY [EMAIL PROTECTED] http://home.fuse.net/jonweisberger/ Website revised 2/1/99
Re: songs of love and hate (was Re: Hank question)
I'll take any suggestions as well for the Hot, Sweet and Sour Valentine's Day Show. Jamie Carl Abraham Zimring wrote: Some of the Hank Snow songs Don mentioned got me to thinking. Valentine's Day is coming up, and I'm doing my annual love songs and breakup songs shows in the next couple of weeks. Anyone have favorites from either camp? Depending on our library, I'm open to requests. Carl Z.
Re: Hank question
Jon Weisberger wrote: I realize I'm probably in the minority on this, but for sheer enjoyment, I'll take Hank Thompson over Hank Williams just about any day. Hank Snow, too, for that matter. Ain't taste a wonderful thing? Well, any chance to agree with Jon shouldn't be missed. g Um, me too, on Hank Thompson anyhow. Something about his smooth blend of honky-tonk and swing hits a very sweet spot for me. Of course, it's like "who's better, Hank Aaron or Willie Mays". They can both play for me. gI've only got that RCA Hank Snow comp, so I shouldn't say much, other'n I like that disc just fine. b.s.
Re: songs of love and hate (was Re: Hank question)
Excerpts from internet.listserv.postcard2: 2-Feb-99 RE: songs of love and hate .. by "Jon Weisberger"@fuse.ne Erin says: Speaking of Hank S. - "Married by the Bible, Divorced by the Law" would be good for both shows. Heh, heh. Which is on Snow Country, but not on The Essential. On the other hand, "I Went To Your Wedding" is on The Essential, but not the 2 CDs I recommended, and it's another one you ought to think about, Carl: "Your mother was crying, your father was crying And I was crying too..." Points taken. Note to self: Mark these down as "Songs that will not be played at my wedding". Carl Z.
RE: Hank question
If I was to say that your description of him as a "not particularly charismatic performer" was WAY OFF I'd, in fact, be kidding myself. You are of course quite right. And he isn't the greatest country singer ever but I guess I just have a soft spot for him. On the other hand, were we to talk about the relative merits of the likes of Ernest Tubb or George Jones for pure talent...but I won't start that thread off again. Best regards, junior -Original Message- From: Joe Gracey [SMTP:[EMAIL PROTECTED]] Sent: Wednesday, 3 February 1999 9:26 To: passenger side Subject: Re: Hank question "Walker, Jason" wrote: Joe, I have to say that I take great exception to your assessment of Hank Snow as a mediocre talent. Far from it - this country music legend overcame a number of obstacles - being very much an outsider to the Grand Ole Opry as a Canadian, he none the less spent years travelling the United States to break in to the exclusive country music scene. His songs are an odd mixture of pathos, bathos and weird humour not to mention his phenomenal lead guitar skills - like Hank Thompson he played his own lead breaks. He recorded a number of award-winning instrumental albums with none other than Chet Atkins, who says that he thinks Snow is one of the most distinctive lead guitarists he's ever heard. IMO, a mediocre talent he definitely is not. Yeah, he could play the guitar, and I should have credited him for that. However, I honestly think he is the perfect example of a rather passionless and not particularly charismatic performer who was supported by the Opry machine all out of proportion to his worth. I realize this is purely a matter of taste. -- Joe Gracey President-For-Life, Jackalope Records http://www.kimmierhodes.com
Re: Rank the Hank question
Hank Thompson ,well.a tiny maybe..but taking Hank SNOW over Hank Williams is beyond my comprehension... (I'm not sure we rally need to Rank the Hanks at this late date anyway!) I start out pretty much agreeing with Joe Gracey on this one...Mr. Snow, to my ear, has one of the less soulful and sometimes plain duller SINGING styles of major country starsk--but still somehow you can't let those records go. I'd coincidentally just picked up that Essential Hank Snow disc Don described earlier, about a week ago, to update what I'd had (an import disc with the hits and some ol' tapes., The "Essential" offers sound that's very good, besides a better selection of cuts than most discs in that odd series--and this is the interesting thing to me. Snow has these great SONGS...some he wrote, more he surely had a role in selecting, and the records are infectious anyway--with Atkins and anybody else at work on 'em at RCA, that whole apparatus, yes, they make some really good records out of the stuff. After a while, you start to feel some real affection for the often comically-imitated Snow nasality...you just give in. I think they're good records made by a singer with some real limitations. (Ever heard Elvis do his Snow on the Million Dollar Quartet session? Affectionate--but funny.) Barry I for one can only attribute Hank Snow's success to the power of the Opry apparatus to foist mediocre talent on people for 'way too many years. -- Joe Gracey
RE: Rank the Hank question
I don't recall actually expressing a preference for Hank Snow over HANK WILLIAMS at any stage, but if it came down to it, poor old Mr Snow would we left at the roadside - fortunately, I feel confident in asserting that they both have a welcome place in my record collection and, in fact, any good country music record collection would be incomplete without at least a version of I'm Movin' On. In retrospect, Hank Snow has been quite influential upon modern music but in less of an obvious way than Hank Williams Sr. I love ALL the Hanks except maybe Hank Jr - don't know why exactly but his brand of country music don't excite me none. Junior Walker -- From: Barry Mazor[SMTP:[EMAIL PROTECTED]] Reply To: [EMAIL PROTECTED] Sent: Wednesday, 3 February 1999 12:34 To: passenger side Subject: Re: Rank the Hank question Hank Thompson ,well.a tiny maybe..but taking Hank SNOW over Hank Williams is beyond my comprehension... (I'm not sure we rally need to Rank the Hanks at this late date anyway!) I start out pretty much agreeing with Joe Gracey on this one...Mr. Snow, to my ear, has one of the less soulful and sometimes plain duller SINGING styles of major country starsk--but still somehow you can't let those records go. I'd coincidentally just picked up that Essential Hank Snow disc Don described earlier, about a week ago, to update what I'd had (an import disc with the hits and some ol' tapes., The "Essential" offers sound that's very good, besides a better selection of cuts than most discs in that odd series--and this is the interesting thing to me. Snow has these great SONGS...some he wrote, more he surely had a role in selecting, and the records are infectious anyway--with Atkins and anybody else at work on 'em at RCA, that whole apparatus, yes, they make some really good records out of the stuff. After a while, you start to feel some real affection for the often comically-imitated Snow nasality...you just give in. I think they're good records made by a singer with some real limitations. (Ever heard Elvis do his Snow on the Million Dollar Quartet session? Affectionate--but funny.) Barry I for one can only attribute Hank Snow's success to the power of the Opry apparatus to foist mediocre talent on people for 'way too many years. -- Joe Gracey
Re: Rank the Hank question
There's an interesting program being shown on our local PBS station about the contribution of African Americans to American popular culture. It's a documentary by Spike Lee called "I'll Make Me A World" (http://www.pbs.org/immaw/ for more). The doc ain't by Spike Lee but by the guy who did the wonderful "Eyes on the Prize" series some years ago and who recently passed on to documentarian heaven. Spike is featured in it, tho. Just keeping records straight. It's in my nature. NW
