Hank Williams Sr. "Unreleased" hits shelves

In 1951, Hank Williams recorded over 72 shows for WSM's Mother's Best radio show, part of the Grand Ole Opry.

Many were pre-recorded due to Williams' hectic touring and recording schedule and have not been heard since that year until now.

"Hank Williams: The Unreleased Recordings" is a three-CD set full of unreleased material the legendary country musician recorded in a single year, many of the tracks have never been recorded as official studio releases.

So how do recordings from 57 years ago sound? Strangely, these recordings sound better than some of Williams' studio albums and singles. The re-mastering on this collection is amazingly well done.

The collection begins with a cover of "Blue Eyes Crying in the Rain," a song made famous in the '70s by Willie Nelson. Williams' version is incredible; a slow arrangement accompanied with a pedal steel guitar and a string section backing up Hank's mournful sounding vocals.

Also on this disc is a version of "I'm So Lonesome I Could Cry" that almost rivals the original. Williams' voice sounds like he means every word he sings as his band adds a beautiful arrangement and a mournful pedal steel guitar solo.

Disc two begins with Williams explaining that the song, "I Can't Help It If I'm Still In Love With You," has not been heard outside the audience of himself and his record company.

He debuted this single on a live appearance before his studio version was released. This is interesting by today's standards, as bands often refuse to perform songs before they have released the studio versions.

Also on this disc are a few religious tunes, such as "The Prodigal Son," "From Jerusalem to Jericho," and "The Old Country Church." Williams, like Johnny Cash, take religious tunes as more gritty and despairing songs that gives them a more authentic feel.

"I've Got a One-Way Ticket To The Sky" is an eerie and upbeat song about dying. It is even more prophetic, seeing that Williams would end up dying two years later (Williams wrote and performed a few songs that predicted his fate, such as "Angel of Death").

"Searching for a Soldier's Grave" is a ballad that pays tribute to fallen soldiers, though is not hokey like many country acts today. Williams sings like he is truly mourning the deaths of the people and is paying his respects for their courage.

Disc three begins with a song that was written in 1895 called "Pictures from Life's Other Side," and is a bleak and sad song dealing with death. Williams changed a few lyrics to fit with the times and was recorded for his side project, Luke the Drifter.

"I'll Fly Away" is a classic bluegrass standard and Williams does it justice on this collection. His twangy vocals accompanied by the quick strumming of his guitar, female back-up vocals and a fiddle gives the track a great energy.

"Cold, Cold Heart" is a classic Williams song and this version has an edge to it. According to the book that comes with the collection, Williams wrote this after being berated by his wife who was suffering from an infection in a hospital after they had a home abortion.

Williams strums and sings with a sense of anger and regret. This is an incredible version of the song and feels more honest to the lyrics compared to the official version he released.

Overall, this is a great collection. It had several setbacks over the years, including lawsuits filed against a company who had a few of the tapes and planned on releasing them with overdubs.

Jett Williams, daughter of the legendary country music icon, fought for many years to get this released. Jett has had many setbacks, including a legal battle to be recognized as Hank's daughter and become part of his estate (she was Hank's illegitimate child from an affair, but Hank admitted that he had impregnated Jett's mother).

Finally these recordings have been released and has nearly doubled Hank Williams catalogue of songs.

"The Unreleased Recordings" is a fine box-set that is worth the money. The only drawback is that it is hard to listen to such depressing music for any extended period of time.

Despite the depressing factor, this is country music at its purest and best. Stripped down, raw and haunting, these recordings catch Williams at his best and also his most hectic year of his life.

Hardcore Williams fans will definitely be happy with this and casual fans will probably enjoy it as well. The songs sound fresh and Williams never gives any of these songs a feeling of being stale. This is highly recommended to pick up.