Tribute albums can be a mixed affair. Often, a disparate collection of artists, usually recording on their own, independent and separate from each other, tackle a song or two from an esteemed songwriter or musical figure worthy of a tribute. Sometimes, artists who seem to have little musical connection but an affection for the person being honored will interpret a song from the artist covered, with uneven at best results. Hank Williams is more than deserving of a tribute release and there have been many over the years. His songwriting ability and influence as a ground-breaking and highly influential country artist and who transcends that genre, mostly overshadow the troubled mythological biographical narrative.
With Hank Williams Uncovered, we have a two-CD collection of tracks from artists who were born to interpret these remarkable songs. This is not a busman’s holiday or a chance for a pop or rock artist to try their hand at the impeccable Williams canon. These are artists steeped in the music, many who have spent decades honing their country roots chops. The fact that these artists mostly hail from the same region and that most of the tracks were produced by New York-based Paradiddle producer and head honcho Bill Herman, makes for a cohesive and shrewdly programmed 22-song recording.
The first disc starts off with rising star Pete Mancini and an aching, yet confident cover of “Lovesick Blues,” not Williams most popular song, but perhaps his most iconic. The Paradiddle king of country Gene Casey and his Lone Sharks offer up a perfect and understated “You Win Again,” another knowing choice for a follow-up to the opener. The king is followed shortly on disc one by the queen, with Mary Lamont nailing “You’re Gonna Change,” one of her most commanding vocal performances on record to date. Another standout on disc one is the sweet, one-of-a-kind vocal style of Caroline Doctorow on “Cold Cold Heart,” bringing an empathy to a track often sung through bitter tears.
And speaking of inspired vocals, Allen Santoriello brings a grit to “Your Cheating Heart,” with restraint and pure unadorned majesty. Annie Mark does a gripping and ragged reading of “I Can’t Help If I’m Still In Love With You,” a song that one wouldn’t think anyone could find a new way to sing, but Mark brings the house down. Gerry McKevneny offers up a welcome subtle take on “Move It On Over,” and the first disc closes out with a Chris James rave-up of “Jambalaya,” reminiscent of the feel he brought to his playing on the Last Hombres reunion/reset Redemption album in 2014.
Disc two starts off with Mick Hargreaves on “Half As Much.” Once again, this is a case where an artist from the Paradiddle family has come up with one of their best-ever vocal performances on record. The producer and bassist has never sounded better, with harmony vocals from Chloe Halpin and Jennifer Pawlizakthe. It’s been several years since Hargreaves has made a solo album and now might be the time for him to put another one out.
Disc two reflects a little more of the party/Cajun side of Williams’s music, particularly on “My Bucket’s Got A Hole In It,” from the HooDoo Loungers, and “Why Don’t You Love Me” from Claudia Jacobs. The disc closes with two excellent duets with Ken Korb and Lora Kendall tackling “I’m Blue, I’m Lonesome” and Annie Mark and Chris James coming up with a one-of-a-kind rendition of “I’m So Lonesome I Could Cry.”
With such releases as their multi-volume Bob Dylan series and other tributes like the ones they have done on Nanci Griffith and Willie Nile, Paradiddle is fast becoming one of the premier record labels releasing roots/singer-songwriter tribute/cover projects.
