LEAVE THE AUDIENCE BEGGING FOR MORE...
charleshasbrouck | Lakeland, Florida USA | 07/28/2000
(5 out of 5 stars)
"Hank Thompson can do NO WRONG! With that unabashed admission from this Thompson fan of thirty years, I can get on to my thoughts on "Seven Decades." My thirty years are just over half of this astounding legend's 54-year recording career, leading me to disbelieve anyone can sound this good at 74. Believe me, I tried to find flaws in the generous variety of country songs new and old, but except for a rare scratchiness on maybe two high notes, I couldn't find anything. Hank's selection of music for this CD illuminates all the corners of this man's wonderful career, but much of the material is "New Wine" to his followers. Hank continues to write and sing with a rich and tender love for the music that he has created, while preserving his humorous edge.Unlike the critically acclaimed and marvelous "Hank and Friends" CD from '97, this effort concentrates on the voice and, for the most part, lyrics of Hank Thompson, with a just-right seasoning of a pair of female background singers, plus a romping Western Swing track led by guitarist Tom Bresh. Still,Thompson has always been willing to venture out of the friendly confines of his own material, and gives us a sensitive, tear-inducing treatment of "Dinner For One,Please James." I think the best-written song on the CD is "New Wine In Old Bottles," but my personal favorites are "Wreck of the Old '97" and "Nancy Ann's Hotel."Don't overlook the liner notes,either, articulately written by the Hall of Famer himself. Then, when a young person tells you he likes country music, hand him this CD. After he hears a few tracks of "Seven Decades," if he responds with a broad smile and begs for more....he is truly a country music fan."
Plenty of swing and sting left this ol' bee
hyperbolium | Earth, USA | 07/22/2000
(4 out of 5 stars)
"Fifty-three years after his first waxing for Capitol, Country Hall of Famer Hank Thompson is making some of the most vital Western Swing and Honky-Tonk around. Now in his 70s, Thompson's bravado is fully intact (if not more than a bit piqued by the ravages of age), and the hand-picked backing band (including guitarist Thom Bresh picking brilliantly in the style of his father - and one-time Thompson band member - Merle Travis) keep step nicely with the old man.In addition to the steel-laden honky-tonk tunes (including the superb lead track, "Sting in This Ole Bee"), Thompson stretches out on his cover selections. Jimmie Rodgers' "In the Jailhouse Now" and Cindy Walker's "Triflin' Girl" are mated with less obvious picks such as the Kingston Trio's "Scotch and Soda" and Nat King Cole's pop oddity, "Dinner for One, Please James." Eduardo Lopez's accordion adds a Tejano flavor to the retirement themed "Condo in Hondo," and the tales of "Abdul Abulbul Amir" and "The Night Miss Nancy Ann's Hotel for Single Girls Burned Down" brings to mind the stories of Tom T. Hall and U. Utah Phillips.Thompson has the same drive (and ability) to make great music that he had for his first session in 1947. Lucky for us he can find players that can keep up and a record label that's not hung up on radio hits."
Classic Hank
Phil (San Diego, CA) | San Diego, CA | 12/13/2008
(5 out of 5 stars)
"I can't think of any other musical artist who has so convincingly established their endurance and talent in the seventh decade as Hank Thompson does with this album. I've enjoyed a variety of Hank's compilations that summarize the various labels and stages of his career, and the twofer "Dance Ranch / Songs For Rounders" just can't be topped. This collection rivals Johnny Cash's series of American recordings as a statement of enduring quality and relevance.
I especially enjoy "Condo In Hondo", just to namecheck a particular song, but the whole set is solid, nothing smacks of gratuitous filler, and Hank still has that swing. I've enjoyed this CD for the past few years and it leaves me hoping that Hank has another one up his sleeve. "Seven Decades" confirmed what I already knew, Hank Thompson is my favorite country artist.
"
Track Listings (13) - Disc #1