Hank Williams: Honky Tonk Blues
by Morgan Neville
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DVD details
Actor: Hank WilliamsDirector: Morgan Neville
DVD: Region Code 1
Audio: English (Original Language)
Format: Closed-captioned, Color, Dolby, DVD, NTSC
Picture Format: 1.33:1
Running Time: 45 minutes
DVD Release Date: 2004-06-08
Audience Rating: NR (Not Rated)
Studio: Mercury Nashville
DVD Reviews of Hank Williams: Honky Tonk Blues
DVD Review: To The Honky Tonk Man
Summary: 5 Stars
In a May 2009 review of a Hank Williams tribute album, "Timeless" , released in 2003 (the 50th Anniversary of his death) I noted the following that is germane to a review of this very informative and balanced PBS "American Masters" production of the life and times of one of the legends of American roots music -country and western branch (and maybe more):
"A musical performer knows that he or she has arrived when they have accumulated enough laurels and created enough songs to be worthy, at least in some record producer's eyes, of a tribute album. When they are also alive to accept the accolades as two out of the four of the artists under review are, which in these cases is only proper, that is all to the good. That said, not all tribute albums are created equally. Some are full of star-studded covers, others are filled with lesser lights that have been influenced by the artist that they are paying tribute to. As a general proposition though I find it a fairly rare occurrence, as I have noted in a review of the "Timeless" tribute album to Hank Williams, that the cover artist outdoes the work of the original recording artist. With that point in mind I will give my "skinny" on the cover artists here."
And that is the essential point that separates the musical greats like Hank Williams from the transitory stars of the day. Over fifty years after his death his songs, heartfelt, tragic, depressive, and on a few occasions whimsical still "speak" to musicians and modern listeners alike. His life`s story, as told here through commentary by those who knew and worked with him, including various members of his "Drifting Cowboys" back-up bands, his widow, his son and grandson Hank II and III respectively, his stepdaughter and various other hometown folks (Montgomery, Alabama although I swear he is a Cajun boy), musical collaborators and music historians unrolls very much like a... Hank Williams ballad. And that again is the point-here is a case where life and art are not so very far apart.
Since the music is what is eternal in this troubled man's life let me finish up here with a reposting of that "Timeless" tribute album review mentioned above. It is that simple yet profound music that gives the essence of the man, his seemingly eternal marriage troubles (and some joys too, I think), his losing battle against drugs and alcohol and his search back for the happier days of his poor boy roots in Alabama after fame and fortune proved too narrow to satisfy whatever was eating at him inside.
"To The Original Honk-Tonk Man
Timeless; A 50th Anniversary Tribute to Hank Williams, various artists, UMG Recordings, 2001
In a review of a Hank Williams anthology in this space ("Gold", a two disc CD of most of the best known songs) noted that I have been listening to a local weekend folk, rock and contemporary music interview show here in Boston for years. The format of the show is to interview, in depth, contemporary well-known singers, songwriters and musicians as well as young unknowns looking to make their mark. One of the questions always asked of each interviewee is about formative influences on their musical development. Although I do not believe that I have ever heard what I would consider a country singer interviewed on the show the name Hank Williams has come up many more times than any other from young and old interviewees alike. That tells the tale of the importance of this man's work, beyond the obvious country influence.
Here some of those well-known musicians mentioned above pay tribute to Hank's influence by covering his songs for a 50th Anniversary of his death edition. A strange occasion for a tribute one might say, although no so for the fast-living, hard-driving, hard drinking Mr. Williams. The likes of Bob Dylan (a subject of many tribute covers himself) on a rocking " Can't Get You Off Of My Mind", Johnnie Cash reciting (recital or maybe, better, talking blues being a Williams speciality) the tearful "I Dreamed About Mama Last Night" and Beck on the mournful "You're Cheatin' Heart" do his memory honor with their own interpretations. I would note, however that, unlike a number of other artists such as the above-noted Dylan, that cover versions of Hank's songs do not usually measure up to the verve and imprint on the mind of his original renditions. The great exception here is Lucinda Williams (no relation, as far as I know) whose rendition of "Cold, Cold Heart" captured all the pathos, and more, of that tune. So long, one more time, Honky-Tonk Man. Listen on."
And watch this documentary.
DVD Review: Best Hank DVD Hands Down
Summary: 5 Stars
This is the best Hank Williams, Sr. DVD out there. No need to look any further once you've found this one. It's an in-depth and un-biased view on Hank life and legacy given by the friends and family that lived it with him. Highly recommended. Hank III does a great job narrating as well.DVD Review: Hank Williams: Honky Tonk Blues
Summary: 5 Stars
This is an excellent account of the Hank Williams story. I love the music and the video's of the 'real'Hank and his friends, music colleagues, and relatives. It was especially good to see Hank's real daughter, Jett. She sure looks like Hank! And of course, it was good to see Hank Jr. and Hank lll. His voice is very similiar to his granddaddy's, and there is some physical likeness.DVD Review: Not enough Hank
Summary: 2 Stars
I was disappointed in this video by the constant narration...even interrupting Hank's simging..with morbid comments...DVD Review: Hank Williams "Honky Tonk Blues" DVD
Summary: 5 Stars
This is an excellent, VERY COMPREHENSIVE, DOCUMENTARY ,biography of the legendary country music/American music legend HANK WILLIAMS. IT BEGINS WITH EXCELLLENT REPLICATION FOOTAGE OF HIS "BABY BLUE" 1952 CADILLAC DRIVING THROUGH THE COUNTRY SIDE. It covers his family background in rural south Alabama. It covers Hank's life from childhood all the way throughout his life, his career and even his death, and his funeral, and his legacy and events after his death. This contains excellent archival footage obtained from family members, performance footage, footage from friends, and other sources. It is very comprehensive.
During most of the documentary, Hank's music is played in the background. The Dvd does contain some performance, and commentary footage of Hank, and some recordings of Hank's voice.
It also contains commentaries and interviews by Hank Williams Jr., Lucretia (Hank's step daughter from his marriage with Miss Audrey), Hank Williams III, Jett Williams(Hank Sr's daughter), Members of his band the "Drifting Cowboy's", Billie Jean Horton (Hank Sr. was married to her when he died, the son of Rufus "Tee-Tot" Payne ("Tee-Tot" is the black street musician who taught Hank Sr. how to play the guitar, and friends and fans. It also contains footage of his first and beloved wife "Miss Audrey". It even has footage of her performing some songs.
One thing that stood out for me was an interview of one of his band members, "the Drifting Cowboys". He said when the 4 band members agreed to be Hank's band, that Hank took them over to a pawn shop, and requested 4 "black jacks" (also known as "slap jacks"- they are a fighting device made of lead covered in black leather). Hank said "If you're going to play with me, you'll need these, because when we get through playing, all the women in the audience will want to be with us, and that will make their men mad, and make them want to fight us. The "Drifting Cowboy" continued, saying that alot of their concerts ended in brawls. He said Hank even used his guitar as a weapon, and usually smashed one up every week in these concert ending brawls.
It covers his success in Montgomery, which lead to him being invited to join the Louisiana Hayride Radio show in Shreveport, Louisiana (LA), that was held at the legendary Shreveport Municipal Auditorium. It covers his success on the "Louisiana Hayride", which included his #1 Hit "Lovesick Blues". While he was living in Shreveport, his son Randall Hank Jr. was born. This time he spent in Shreveport were some of the best years of his short life.
The success of "Lovesick Blues" lead to an invitation to join the "Grand Ole Orpy" in Nashville, Tenn. His success there continued for quite sometime. He was a "head-liner" Act on many "Grand Ole Opry" Tours, and other tours. It covers the famous "Hadacol" Medicine Show Tour, which Hank headlined. It covers Hank in New York, with Tony Bennett when Tony Bennett recorded Hank's "Your Cold Cold Heart".
During this time, there was so much of Hank's music on the radio and on Juke boxes, that he came up with a "ghost writer" name of Luke the Drifter". He released many songs under the name "Luke the Drifter".
Finally, the pressure of all this sucess, and Hank's stuggle with his relationship with his wife Audrey, and his lifestyle, lead to him being fired from the "Grand Ole Orpy". (Johnny Cash was fired from the Opry also).
He moved back to Louisiana, and re-joined the Louisiana Hayride Show, and remained employed there until his death.
The Dvd recreate's his death night (Dec.31,1952/Jan.1,1953), where he was traveling from Montgomery to Canton, Ohio to do a New Years Day show. Using a "baby Blue" 1952 cadillac, it covers his journey,and even goes to the Knoxville Hotel where Hank checked into for a while. The same bus boy who served Hank that night is still alive and is interviewed in this Dvd. Also, the young man who drove Hank from Knoxville to the Hospital where he was pronounced dead is interviewed. Hank was living with Billie Jean at the time and was on a vacation from the Louisiana Hayride show, and was staying in Montgomery, AL. According to Billie Jean, the morning that Hank got up to make his final trip, he told her that "Jesus was coming to get him today". The dvd even has a replica of the Service Station in 1952 that his driver pulled into to seek help, and a recreation of this event. This is when they realize something is bad wrong.
It's a very comphresive documentary dvd, and is very well presented. If you like Hank Williams or just a good documentary/biography of an American/Country Music legend, you'll enjoy this one, and therefore, I highly recommend it.
Description of Hank Williams: Honky Tonk Blues
Honky Tonk Blues is an expanded director's cut of an American Masters television special about Hank Williams, and every minute of it illuminates Williams's importance as a seminal artist and American archetype. Produced with an understated fascination for the country legend's gifts and demons that shortened his career, played havoc with his marriages, and led to a haunting death at 29, Honky Tonk Blues builds a seamless profile from rare footage and rich interviews with (among others) Rick Bragg, Big Bill Lister (Williams's longtime opening act), Hank Williams Jr., and members of Williams's backup band, the Drifting Cowboys. Williams's story, including his mentorship in the blues by Rufus "Tee Tot" Payne, childhood loneliness, and emergence as a whole-cloth singer-songwriter "who taught people it's okay to bear your soul in everyday language," is thoroughly compelling and resonates with many American originals (e.g., Kurt Cobain) who followed him. An outstanding documentary. --Tom KeoghGeneral DVDs
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