"This is quite an intersting album. While there are no hits aside from "Ramblin' Man" and maybe "Everything's OK", that doesn't seem what these "Luke the Drifter" songs are about. "Beyond the Sunset" which is the complete works of Hank Williams Sr. under the guise of "Luke the Drifter" is his plea for old fashioned sensibility, the sublime understanding that everyone is suffering, that clouded perspectives and lack of forgiveness are the main reasons for this suffering, and that we are all in this together. Not much singing, as much of this is spoken word over the guitar or organ, yet still very much a lyrical album.While this may not be a good introduction to Hank Williams, it is a must for anyone who has come to love his talents and appreciate his very special contribution to American music."
A collection of "Luke The Drifter" recordings, all classics
Bradley Olson | Bemidji, MN United States | 03/05/1999
(5 out of 5 stars)
"This CD is a must have for country music and Hank fans as it contains 12 of his "Luke The Drifter" recordings, many of them are recitations. Some of the songs deal with pain, such as "Men With Broken Hearts," I've Been Down That Road Before," and "The Funeral" and good things in life, such as the title track and "Everything's Okay." The other songs are just as great and feature Hank as a great poet. This is classic country and recitations at their best."
Classic Americana from the master...
WeezyBoPeep | RUSTIC NORTHERN MD | 03/07/2005
(5 out of 5 stars)
"Hank Sr. preaches like no one I've ever heard before. This album features lessons that everyone needs to learn, especially children. Treating your fellow man with kindness, love and loss, what goes around comes around, be happy with what you have, etc, etc... But the way Hank tells these stories and sings these songs is masterful. I love this album and I listen to it whenever I'm feeling like life is unfair. It makes me smile every time, and it makes me appreciate the things I have. In short, if you like real country music, I HIGHLY recommend this one. Worth every cent."
Music to make a grown man cry
TimothyFarrell22 | Massachusetts | 08/28/2005
(5 out of 5 stars)
"This is now my favorite Williams album. A greatest hits collection is a better place to get acquainted, but cannot come close to the heartbreak of this album. "Move It On Over" and "I Saw the Light" are great songs, but they don't have the power of "I Dreamed About Mama Last Night" or "The Funeral". This is one of the saddest albums of all time, a strangely prophetic portrait of Williams, as these recordings as Luke the Drifter can represent his final epitaph. Its amazing how an artist as young as Williams was could record such a beautiful and mature work. As for the music itself, it contains some of Williams' best compostitions. The organ work on "The Funeral" and the steel guitar on several tracks are perfectly done. The album is about a mythical drifter - too much like Williams himself. No other country artist (with the exception of Johnny Cash) is as masterful and influential as Hank Williams Sr. This is true American music."
A beautiful album for those who understand Hank
R. Bartlett | California USA | 12/21/2004
(5 out of 5 stars)
"Words cannot describe the beauty of the song "Beyond the Sunset". However, I would like to see a person who is not acquainted with Hank listen to his other albums first. This is a little morose for those who don't understand Hank Williams."