Search - Hank Williams Jr :: Montana Cafe: Original Classic Hits, Vol.21

An album of contrasts

Peter Durward Harris | Leicester England | 03/07/2004

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Hank's style of music mixes blues, rock and country in a way that is all his own. This album is a great example of his music, though blues and rock are much more evident on this album than country. Hank wrote or co-wrote seven of the ten tracks here, but his choice of covers is, as usual, outstanding.The opening track, Country state of mind, is actually a bluesy song despite its title - very moody. Montana café is a very reflective song. The tempo picks up on the next song. My girl don't like my cowboy hat, which really rocks. The tempo slows again for When something is good why does it change. Next comes a medley of two very old songs - Shine on harvest moon (from 1909) and St Louis blues (only a few years younger). Hank's bluesy covers of these classics may not please everybody but they suit his style and I'm glad he included them. Another cover follows, this time it's the blues rocker, You can't judge a book, from the songbook of Willie Dixon.Hank sings about himself in My name is Bocephus - a moody blues rocker. Loving instructor is another great blues rocker. Fat friends also rocks but is more light-hearted. Perhaps the best track of all is the last (and the only one that sounds country) - a cover of his father's Mind your own business, in which Reba McEntire, Tom Petty, Willie Nelson and Reverend Ike each sing a few lines. This album has little to do with country music but it is a high quality album that demonstrates Hank at his best."

Hanks last good record before he became a cliche of himself

jason gallops | 07/12/2004

(4 out of 5 stars)

"Between 1975 and 1983, hank made some of the best country rock records out there. Slowly, over the next five years, he became a joke. This album marks the last remnants of the old hank jr. and gives a frightening look at the hank that will dominate for the next several years."