| I'm One Of You - Hank Williams, Jr. | |
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Reviewed by Matt Bjorke
Hank Williams, Jr. last released a personal album recorded in a club/town hall where his father once played. That album, The Almeria Club, was a critically acclaimed release that praised Hank Jr. for coming full circle in his life. Earlier in 2003 Hank's label Curb/Warner Brothers saluted him with a "tribute" album full of great performances by his peers. Now, in November of 2003, Hank Jr. is releasing his newest project, his first for the new Curb subsidiary label Asylum/Curb. I'm One Of You is the album and it is packed with humor and wit that fans have come to expect from Hank Jr.
Opening up the album is a fine cover of Jerry Reed's "Amos Moses." It's a stompin' southern rocker about a boy who was used by his father as bait to catch alligators in the Louisiana Bayou only to grow up to become the best alligator catcher in the world. It's a tale told over a funky country rock beat that sounds like it could be a big hit if some modern radio stations would be willing to play the legends more.
"Liquor To Like Her" finds Hank singing in a goofy vocal style that is reminiscent of some of his bigger honky tonk hits. See, the man in the song loves his wife but cannot stand to be around her unless he's got some liquor in him. this track is a humorous one and as such would make a cute radio novelty single.
"I'm One Of You" is the title cut and actually received quite a bit of airplay. It's a track that talks about being a man who has gone through life's trials and tribulations just like the majority of the rest of the hardworking men and women of the USA. Why this song wasn't a bigger hit, I have no clue but it sure is a great song.
"Games People Play" is a classic song written by Joe South. Hank Jr. hasn't sounded as good as he does on this song in quite a while. While it begins as a gospel send-up, the song breaks into a full-fledged honky tonk barn burner. The song is recognizable to most who hear it and as such it's fun to sing along to.
"Waylon's Guitar" is a loving tribute to Waylon Jennings that finds Hank Jr. singing over a melody and sound that Waylon quite frequently used in a lot of his songs. While this song has no chance of being a hit single, it sure is a nice way to give praise to one of Country Music's most revered figures.
"American Offline" is a song that originally appeared on songwriter Tony Stampley's 2002 Rebelution. Tony is one of Hank Jr.'s favorite songwriters and vocally was a dead-ringer for him so it's natural that "American Offline" would appear on one of Junior's CD's. It is a song many fun-loving people will love for it tells a story about having a good time away from the computer.
A classic song from the 1970's, "Devil In The Bottle" almost seems out of place on an album that talks about drinking in "loving" terms. This song is about a man struggling with the demons of alcoholism and how his wife stands by his side because she loves him, even though he'll probably never be able to shake that "Devil in the bottle, that won't rest until I'm dead." It's a tough song about alcoholism that is as poignant now with Hank Jr. singing it as it was with T.G. Sheppard singing the original version.
Hank Williams, Jr. may not have many hit singles anymore but to his fans, he's still the same superstar he was back when gold singles and albums were the norm for him. I'm One Of You is a fun and at the same time a serious album, the kind of album that his fans will cherish for years to come.
Song List:
Album cover used with permission of Curb.
Audio clips courtesy of Barnes & Noble.
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