Search - Three Hanks :: Men With Broken Hearts

Began as a gimmick, turned out to be great...

William E. Adams | Midland, Texas USA | 02/28/2002

(5 out of 5 stars)

"This project began as a way to get Hank III "on record" by pairing him with his father, Hank Jr. and his long-dead granddad, Hank Sr. Cute idea, and would not have meant much except that Hank III is a budding artist of exceptional promise, and Hank Jr. still has what it takes, and Hank Sr. is well, Hank Sr., and his songs are still great no matter who does what to them, and the producer, Chuck Howard, must be a genius. This album is so much fun to hear, and holds up well after repeated exposure. Wisely, the younger Hanks left Senior's greatest songs alone...they don't take a stab at "You Win Again" or "Cold Cold Heart" or "I'm So Lonesome I Could Cry." They instead select "I Won't Be Home No More" and nail it in the best version I've ever heard. They also perform "I'll Never Get Out of This World Alive" and "Men With Broken Hearts", "Lost Highway" and "Never Again Will I Knock on Your Door" in killer renditions. Hank Jr. sings "Hand Me Down", a poignant song of his own about a note his father left him that he didn't discover until he was grown. Even if the song is not literally true, it is wonderfully done. This turned out to be a nice mixture of moods and tempos, and the voices of the three Hanks are just different enough. Don't pay the extra-high price for the IMPORT version, but if you can find this at the cost of a normal U.S. CD, you won't regret it."

Music is a Williams Family Tradition

susanlayton@mailcity.com | Sheridan, Texas | 11/01/1999

(5 out of 5 stars)

"I was raised listening to both Hank Williams's honky tonk sound and Hank Jr's pure outlaw sound. I love both. I was pleased to hear that Hank Jr. and Hank III were working together to honor the music of the Williams family. I love Hank Jr's heart felt, "Hand Me Down" and Hank III's duet with his grandfather, who he looks and sounds so much like. In "Hand Me Down" Hank says, talking about a note his father left him, about when it came time to pass the torch to the next generation, "Teach him all of your songs and how his Gradaddy moans and tell that boy to hand me down." Well, Hank certainly did that. Hank III learned how his Grandaddy moaned and can do it, just as well. I think it's only fitting that the three of these men sing "Move It On Over." When Hank Jr. did it, it was like he was telling his father that it was his turn, now Hank III seems to be saying it to his father and grandfather. This was a great album, paying tribute to one of the premier families in country music. Well done!"

Gimmicky, but good, better than one might have expected

Ronald George Reagan | Steele, MO | 06/19/2003

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Obviously one can tell right from the start that this is nothing more than a marketing ploy. Hank, Jr. fans will get exposure to III, Hank, Sr. fans will get exposure to not only Hank III, but they will also learn that Jr. has calmed down and became the quintessential country legend that George Jones has became down through the years. But, if nothing else, fans of each diverse artist will want this, so it's almost a guaranteed sale!

Many fans familiar with the Sr. LP's of the 60's may not know what to expect. MGM released two LP's in that decade heralding a "recording miracle" of father and son singing together. Well, what you wound up with was something similar to Liberty's "Visual Sound" stereo with Hank, Sr. in one channel and Hank, Jr. in the other. The Drifting Cowboys faded out with Hank and then Hank, Jr. came into the other channel with his "band" and then eventually, Sr. was brought back w/ the Drifting Cowboys for Jr. to harmonize-and harmonize he DID NOT!! It was awful-Jr. was so out of key!

Of course, by 1989, recording technologies had improved and the "collaboration" of Sr. and Jr. on "There's A Tear In My Beer" (what an awful title for a song!) was not distinguishable that it WAS NOT recorded totally in 1989. So, due to improved technologies, this was put forth as a new effort at updating the classic Hank, Sr. style.

Hank, Sr. shines through on anything done on here as does Jr. Hank III in many cases seems as if though he's trying to be a cross between Sr. and Tim McGraw and his stuff doesn't always work well. "Moanin' The Blues" comes off as a Western Swing type number, "Move It On Over" and "Honky Tonk Blues" come off as rockabilly numbers as they have lended themselves to so well ever since they were recorded. As a matter of fact, rumor has it that "Move It On Over" was the complete inspiration for "Rock Around The Clock" by Bill Haley and his Comets.

Hank, Jr's solo's work very well and leave no hint of the once wild Southern rocker inflected country/rock singer. Hank III's one solo, a re-working of Hank, Sr.'s demo "'Neath A Cold Grey Tomb of Stone", works very well, though III is a bit nasal in his performance.

The standout is the group gospel number complete with Audrey and (uncredited) "Health and Happiness Show" announcer Grant Turner. The song that does not work is "Men With Broken Hearts". It becomes painfully obvious that the recording technology of 1949 doesn't equal that of today's. It would sound as if Hank, Sr. phoned in his part over a bad connection (he must've been using my phone company-BPS communications!) and plus the fact that Hank III butchers this one to no end-you'll be glad when it's over.

The edited take of "Lost Highway" is somewhat non-sensical. I would have preferred to have had a whole overdubbed version of it myself, but so it goes.

If you like any of the three, this is a must have. It offers a perspective on Hank differently than any other compilation and is quite entertaining. You won't be disappointed."