For a guy that's been dead more than 50 years, Hank Williams Sr. sure sells plenty of product. "20 of Hank Williams' Greatest Hits," is somewhere at the top of the pack, and it's not hard to see why, although, in the move from earlier media, Mercury dropped four songs. Nevertheless, there's still a lot of great songs left. Of course, Hank wrote most of his own songs, and few have written better; several have become not just country standards, but popular music standards.

Oddly enough, the recent death of Italian opera superstar Luciano Pavarotti has brought forth a lot of criticism from professional classical music critics. They say that he was unreliable in his appearances. He was, and so was Williams. That he didn't actually know enough technically about music, nor try to "stretch" himself artistically. True enough, and true also of Williams. But the critics completely miss the point, I think: music is a mechanism for delivering feeling, and both men excelled at that. They are open and accessible in their work; in addition, Williams worked not in esoteric opera, but with the music, and the concerns of ordinary people.

Williams recorded but 66 songs in his brief career. Of that number, several of his great standards are here. The mournful "Your Cheatin' Heart," "I'm So Lonesome I Could Cry,"and "Your Cold, Cold Heart," all written by him. Also, the rollicking, good time "Honky Tonk Blues," "Honky Tonkin'","Jambalaya (On the Bayou),""Move It On Over," and "Hey Good Lookin'--" Williams wrote a lot of sad songs, but he didn't write only sad songs. There's also another song he wrote that's become a country standard, "Ramblin' Man:" those boys sure do love the road. You'll also find on this album a couple of songs written by others: like "Lovesick Blues," and "Take These Chains From My Heart." They received their definitive treatment from Williams, and will always be associated with his work. 20 songs, or 24-- the album's worth having.

Listening to this CD brought back a lot of memories of some great songs. I had forgotten how many songs Hank wrote. The quality of the recording is pretty decent, considering that some of the music was originally recorded a long time ago. There's quite a number of songs that have been recorded by others later, but Hank was the guy who wrote them...

I remember Hank. He could not write a bad song if he tried. The majority of his songs were about life, love and living. Often I saw myself in his songs.

To me, this collection is the best-of-the-best of Hank. If you like a good love song that tells a story, you will love this CD -- all 20 songs.
Dorothy W. Rossa
Chicago, Illinois

Anybody who likes Hank Williams will love this album. Classic Hank (tear jerker songs) Wonderful country poetry lyrics. This album has been remastered beautifully. Enjoy!

Hank Williams layed the foundation for all the kids that came after Him to Build.

I am 31 - but grew up on country music. I love all music - but especially older country music. I love Hank senior Johnny Cash etc. This CD is one of my very best purchases ever. I have a large music collection. If you enjoy his music -this is a must buy. Don't think twice. The best music is a souls essence released in song.

I LOVE HANK. THIS DVD COLLECTION OF
SONG IS GREAT. THANKS.

I don't own this cd but I own a different best of vinyl record and I've downloaded some of his songs. Hank Williams is one of only a few country musicians that I like because most of country music is just plain awful. Yet Hank's music is very enjoyable, catchy and fun, which is why every country musician remakes all of his songs. At work on the radio everytime a country song comes on it's usually a remake of a Hank Williams song, which goes to prove that modern country musicians are talentless and need to remake one of Hank's songs to make it with a hit. I need to go now. Bye.

Some songs have overdubs that are unnecessary. This cd has alot of highlights like Setting the woods on fire, Take these chains, wedding bells, etc. This cd will make you want to purchase more Hank cds. There is so much of him to offer then this.

Was glad to find this on your website----Hank Williams is one of those performers that will live on in the music industry forever. He's timeless and so is this cd if you are a Hank fan like my husband and I are. Well worth the money for this one

The essentials have all been given by other reviewers, I had a comment to the angry reviewer about MNF:

The song for Monday Night Football is sung by Hank Williams JR. This CD is by Hank Williams SR. However, both are very talented, and I recommend each of them.

Jeremy, the reviewer who goes by the moniker of Musical Genius, does not know that Are You Ready For Some Football is not a song by Hank Williams, Sr. Hmmm...maybe not a musical genius after all. That song is by Hank Williams, Jr. Of course, you could have saved yourself the agony of suffering through THIS CD if you had only read the song list on the back!!!! Yee haw, moron!!

Naturally, this is a great disc. However, to really get a grasp on the greatness of Hank Williams, you, at least, need to own "40 Greatest Hits". "20 Greatest Hits" is just not enough. When this was originally an LP in was, at least, "24 Greatest Hits". Sadly, "40 Greatest Hits" is out of print, why I do not know. Nevertheless, you can get it used on Amazon. In all reality, if you are willing to spend a little bit more money, you need to get the three disc set "Hank Williams Original Singles Collection". You get every thing Hank ever recorded that was not a duet or poem. Plus, you get several essential demos. This is, with out a doubt, the best box set ever. "The Complete Hank Williams" is great but too costly for the casual fan. It contains all that "Original Singles" contains, all of the demos and most of the radio performances. As well, as the poems and duets with his wife.

Look, perhaps only Frank Sinatra had more musical influence than Hank Williams. Hank directly influenced Elvis and was commended by Bob Dylan in "Nashville Skyline." Hank even helped create the Beatles! How? A Hank Williams fan and British singer, Lonnie Donegan, was idolized by Head Beatle John Lennon.

So, look up PolyGram's "40 Greatest Hits" and buy that set. Even better, shell out for the 10-c.d. COMPLETE HANK WILLIAMS while it's still available. A limited number were produced and already it's hard to find at a good price.

Ya know, it's weird enough when you like some of the music your parents listened to in their young adulthood. But it's a whole `nother platter of grits when you like to listen to some of the stuff your GRANDPARENTS enjoyed in their heyday! And what's even weirder, is that I can't stand listening to most country-and-western so-called `music'! But for some reason, I kinda dig the works of Hank Williams, father of the `Monday Night Football' intro singer guy. It could be the trailer-trash genes callin' me back to my roots or somethin'. Speakin' of which, this baby's great to listen to while I'm downin' the deep-fried, ketchup-slathered Spam-and-Macaroni-&-cheese casserole. It also makes a fitting soundtrack for `Redneck Rampage', one of my fave first-person shooter games. Yep, them slow, old-style country cuts really get me in the mood for a bit of virtual killin' and mayhem, lemme tells ya. And you thought Ozzy Osbourne's tunes are a bad influence on people...

`Late

Hank Williams, Sr. stands as one of the great songwriters of the 20th Century. Just look at the diverse number of artists who have covered his music -- from Ray Charles to Elvis Costello to even George Thorogood (whose version of "Move It On Over" is absolutely outstanding). There isn't a bad cut in this 20-song collection, and the chord progressions on some songs (like "Lovesick Blues") are amazingly sophisticated.

There's no doubt that Hank Williams is pure country. However, it doesn't matter if you're coming to this album straight from your collection of Beck and Radiohead CDs -- the great songs stick with you after just a few listens. I think Williams should be considered one of the immortal composers of this century, and should stand alongside names like George Gershwin, Jimmie Rodgers, Woody Guthrie, Bob Dylan and Neil Young. These men cannot be pigeonholed into neat and tidy genres. Put plain, they are all great songwriters.

I've been getting deeper and deeper into country/American music since the day I walked into a used CD shop and purchased Gram Parsons' two classic solo albums and Elvis' Sun sessions. Of course, you can't begin on this road of C&W musical exploration without stopping to listen to a little Hank Williams.

The first thing that hit me about "Greatest Hits" was the raw emotion of Hank's voice, and the stark, weather-beaten honesty of his music. But the main thing that comes across, time and time again, is the superior craftsmanship of the songs.

"Essential" is such an overused word these days, but the adjective absolutely applies to this CD.

Ok, so you don't want to spring for a two CD set on Hank? Well, kudos to Mercury (yes, some might find it strange I say that) for giving casual fans a one disc set that cuts it down to the nitty-gritty, can't live without selections Hank recorded. This is all you need to find out about Hank if you're new to Hank. I must agree with Colin Escott when he says Country 101. This is the definitive intro to the man who made a lasting effect on country music as we know it. Some of this music is over 50 years old, but it still sounds modern and undated. Kudos to Kira Florita & Colin Escott for giving casual fans the perfect intro disc.

This is definitely worth 10 stars-all of Hank's major hits are here. A great collection for those who only need 1 cd of the big hits. Between his heartfelt songwriting and that wonderful voice with the teardrop in it, this man proved himself to be a colossal talent right up to his untimely death at 29. Anyone who's made it big in country music, male or female, owes a debt of gratitude to Hank Williams. Highly recommended.

I am not a country music fan, in fact, I hate country music. I have never heard of Hank Williams until now. In fact, I heard of him in the news when they were doing a report on whether or not men can be faithful and if women can forgive. Anyways, in the commercial for the report, they were playing "Your cheating heart", and my dear old mom, who can't sing, started singing the song day and night. Killed my beloved pug, not to mentioned she cracked a window or two with her singing. So, I looked the song title up on the internet and whamo, its on Amazon.com, wouldn't you know, and is cheaper than going to the regular music store, you know (Blockluster, Wearhouse, Music Tracer. Anyways, to make a long story short, I only listened to "Your cheating heart" is good

I've been listening to country music ever since I was 10 yrs old, and after all this time there is'nt a country singer, past or present, that is big enough to carry hank williams guitar.

Anyone over 40 will have memories stirred by this album. Sound is good although mono. Of interest is Hank's accompaniment: steel guitars, fiddles, etc. A "must have" for any serious country-western fan.

I am not a country music fan. This album, however, is an example of a singer-songwriter long before Tori Amos or James Taylor. Hank wrote songs that have been recorded by numerous others, for one reason--they are ground-breaking and continue to sound fresh and sincere. Unlike so much of the country music today, Hank's search was not for the perfect cliche, rather, for a sound as honest as his lyrics. Because of this, his album is a must for the audiophile, as it has shaped music to this day.