Hank Wilson’s Back (1973)
The Best Of Hank Wilson (2007)
Did You Know Hank Wilson Kept Coming Back?
I don’t know everything. In fact, I’ve forgotten three-quarters of what I did know. But, when I get truly surprised by something I should have at least heard of, it makes me wonder if I’m not up to four-fifths… and heading over to Al Zymer’s house. When researching Leon Russell’s wonderful 1973 country & western record, Hank Wilson’s Back, for this post, I was stunned to find out that Russell had released three other Hank Wilson volumes… and a ‘Best Of.” Where the fuck was I in 1984 (Hank Wilson, Vol. 2), 1998 (Legend In My Time Hank Wilson, Vol. 3) and 2001 (Rhythm & Bluegrass Hank Wilson, Vol. 4)? You’re guess is (almost literally) as good as mine. Since I haven’t heard a lick of any of them (past the original), I grabbed 2009′s, The Best Of Hank Wilson, to catch up – guessing (rightly or wrongly) that others in my age group with recall issues might be curious, too. Since it only has four tracks from the original release, there’s plenty of stuff to chew on. When Hank Wilson’s Back was released in 1973, I immediately gravitated to it, despite not yet fully embracing country music myself. In fact, HWB helped in that regard, as Leon’s strained and reedy voice seemed tailor-made for the genre, delivering a surprising authenticity and putting country & western (for me) in the best possible light. Back in the day, guys like Dylan and Ringo were just dabbling, while earlier genre-benders like the Byrds, Gram Parsons and their offshoots, gave early Americana its due respect with a subtle rockin’ irreverence, not unlike the new breed of so-called country outlaws. Leon’s album just seemed real. In fact, it still sounds genuine, and if you already like Russell’s vocals, this might be enough to tempt you to buy a cowboy hat. Maybe not. Find Hank Wilson’s Back (HERE) & The Best Of Hank Wilson (HERE) @ Amazon.
Click the covers for links to Amazon… but, they’re long out of print (even the 2007 CD) and not cheap.
HANK WILSON’S BACK
Roll In My Sweet Baby’s Arms (4:27)
She Thinks I Still Care (4:28)
I’m So Lonesome I Could Cry (3:16)
I’ll Sail My Ship Alone (2:36)
Jambalaya (On The Bayou) (2:49)
A Six Pack To Go (2:23)
The Battle Of New Orleans (2:38)
Uncle Pen (2:17)
Am I That Easy To Forget? (2:36)
Truck Drivin’ Man (2:13)
The Window Up Above (3:25)
Lost Highway (2:20)
Goodnight Irene (4:04)
THE BEST OF HANK WILSON
Roll In My Sweet Baby’s Arms (4:24)
He Stopped Loving Her Today (3:47)
Mystery Train (2:48)
Oh Lonesome Me (2:30)
I’m So Lonesome I Could Cry (3:16)
I’ll Sail My Ship Alone (2:37)
Columbus Stockade Blues (2:53)
I’m Movin’ On (2:28)
Tumbling Tumbleweeds (3:33)
Jambalya (2:53)
Sweet Dreams (3:59)
In The Pines (2:33)
Heartaches By The Number (2:23)
I Believe To My Soul (3:13)
Funny How Time Slips Away (3:13)
Footprints In The Snow (2:48)
Night Life (3:40)
Sixteen Tons (2:47)
Wabash Cannonball (2:48)
San Antonio Rose (2:59)
You Win Again (3:14)
Ballad Of Jed Clampett (2:40)
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Thanks for the memories! I’m going to dig out some vinyl tonight and get me some country on.
Thanks for this. I had a similar experience to yours. Although I bought the Hank Wilson’s Back LP when it came out in 1973, I did not know of the existence of further Hank Wilson volumes as they came out, and did not learn of them until many years later. And I never ran across one in a record store (remember those?) or CD store to this day. I was there for the Byrds/Flying Burrito Brothers/New Riders of the Purple Sage/Poco country Americana rockin’ revival, and I loved Hank Wilson’s Back the first time I heard it. Leon’s Tulsa twang was perfect for the music on the album. Now I’ll be able to listen to this without further wearing out my old LP.
Thanking you, as always. Since it was generally acknowledged by most music snobs that Leon Russell was cool, I used to use this album in my record retail days to show them that bluegrass was cool as well.
I also recall the original LP with fondness and automatically pair it with John Fogerty’s (original concurrent)Blue Ridge Rangers Lp which even shared a couple of tunes. They both provided much of the material for my early performance forays into the Country Music canon. I was less fond of Willie & Leon’s double country follow up effort but for me that could be chalked up to doing serious digging at Woolworth’s cutout bin into as much original country releases at the time and they seemed more authentic than the re-fried later day efforts. I followed Leon anyway through the first couple of his Paradise Records ( his own label) but then got caught up in the New Wave/Punk/ 80s Pop thing ( how do I reconcile my fascination with the Synth Pop movement and the burgeoning roots of the Americana movement? I loved one and performed the other. I guess it just got prohibitive to cover both bases as I switched back and forth between being a DJ and a honky tonk piano player and singer. For that reason alone, I always kept in touch with Leon through the 80s though it was harder to find his stuff in the used and promo bins. I am grateful for being able to hear some of the cuts I neglected to notice.
Funny, I have that Willie & Leon follow up, One For The Road, ready to go today.
Had no idea that Russell released these country albums – thanks!
Much grass………
A radio ad from early 70′s, as best as i can recall:
(hick-accented announcer): “Back home in Oklahoma, folks didn’t know too much about young Leon… but one thing was certain – THAT BOY COULD SURE BOOOGIE WOOOGIE” (pronounced with Soft G’s)
(Playing songs from Leon Russel’s new hit LP)
Loving all the Leon (I mean Hank Wilson) lately!! Thanks Willard!