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The Songs of Hank Williams, Jr: A Bocephus Celebration - Various Artists |
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Reviewed by Matt Bjorke
Hank Williams, Jr. has influenced a whole generation of new country stars (and rock stars for that matter) so the fact that he has a "tribute" album being released in his honor is not a surprise. The surprise is that not only did he influence young kids but some of his contemporaries as well like Lynyrd Skynyrd, The Georgia Satellites, the Marshall Tucker Band and 38 Special. That, my friends, is where one can gauge the affect Hank Jr. has had on people, just like his dad, Hank Williams.
The record The Songs Of Hank Williams, Jr.: A Bocephus Celebration features 15 tributes and one song by Hank Jr. and friends. Blake Shelton invited Darryl Worley and Trick Pony in the studio with him to sing "Young Country." It's a great way to start of a record like this one. This song basically says that they like all kinds of music and will choose what they like, not what people tell them to listen to. This song is basically what I believe. There are times in this song when Blake Shelton sounds like Hank Jr. on it as well.
The modern partying "outlaws" Montgomery Gentry contribute "Women I've Never Had." It's a fun little number that the duo sings very well. The song is about the obvious, "dating" woman they've never had.
Trick Pony returns by themselves for their version of Hank Jr.'s classic "All My Rowdy Friends Are Coming Over Tonight." Heidi sings the song with her usual pizzazz, while both Ira and Keith get to sing verses as well. It's a fully fun song that I could see being a hit should the label choose to release it as a single. Heidi's harmonica playing on it is stellar as is Keith's guitar work.
Tracy Lawrence has always been an "outlaw" at heart and to hear him record "Outlaw Women" is just great. The song says that these types of women don't need a lot. All they really want to do is go out and have fun.
The lone "new" artist on the record, Dusty Drake is a traditional baritone vocalist who does a great job with the ballad "Heaven Can't Be Found." It is a classic ballad about what a guy goes through after his woman has left. He's looked everywhere for her, including "hell" and he can't find her so he knows that "Heaven Can't Be found."
Aaron Tippin contributes the song "Family Tradition," and as most country fans know, the song is about being a rowdy Hank Jr. who is asked by friends "why do you live out the songs your daddy wrote." He just replies that it must be a "Family Tradition." Tippin does a great job with this classic song.
Alan Jackson's contribution is one of the few previously recorded tracks. "The Blues Man" is fantastic. It's basically about a guy (George Jones?) who loses everything because of the things he does. I firmly believe that Alan is one of the finest country singers ever to hit the charts and this subdued performance confirms that.
Trace Adkins' "Eleven Roses" is a sweet ballad about the wife being "The 12th rose." Those who think Trace has left his "country ways" with his recent singles only need to hear his cover here to know that is a preposterous statement. The instrumentation is great, especially the piano and steel guitar solos.
Andy Griggs contributes "Old Habits." While his recent album is full of primarily contemporary country sounds, Andy is an "old soul" who loves the "outlaw" sound and he's one of the gang at heart. This is especially true when I hear the song "Old Habits." It's a stone country ballad about a guy who can break old habits but the one about his ex.
When you add in the other seven songs, this is one fine tribute album that is sure to please both the longtime Hank Jr. fan, and those who may be new, like me mostly, to these songs. I really like the album and this makes me want to explore more of Hank Jr.'s work.
The Songs Of Hank Williams, Jr.: A Bocephus Celebration Track List:
- "Young Country" - Blake Shelton with Trick Pony and Darryl Worley
- "Women I've Never Had" - Montgomery Gentry
- "All My Rowdy Friends Are Coming Over Tonight" - Trick Pony
- "Outlaw Women" - Tracy Lawrence
- "Born To Boogie" - Lynyrd Skynyrd
- "A Country Boy Can Survive" - Chad Brock with (John Anderson, Hank Williams, Jr., and George Jones)
- "Heaven Can't Be Found" - Dusty Drake
- "Family Tradition" - Aaron Tippin
- "The Blues Man" - Alan Jackson
- "Major Moves" - John Michael Montgomery
- "Eleven Roses" - Trace Adkins
- :Whiskey Bent & Hell Bound" - Dan Baird (from the Georgia Satellites)
- "Old Habits" - Andy Griggs
- "All My Rowdy Friends Have Settled Down" - The Marshall Tucker Band
- "If It Will It Will" - 38 Special
- "Outlaw Reward" - Hank Williams, Jr. & Friends
Album cover used with permission of Warner Nashville.
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