Hank William’s ‘Gold’ is perhaps one of the most well known Country music albums and it has stood the test of time for several decades. It is very much a bridge between the older style of country with a modern tinge although it is also imbued in Williams’ own unique style.
Some tracks are particularly important; especially ‘I Saw the Light’ and ‘Mansion on the Hill’ where we have the distinctive Hank Williams sound coming to the fore. The recording technique in these songs varies but the dry sound of the guitar and the guttural sound of Williams’ voice, are important elements where the songs differ from the rest.
Normally songs on ‘Gold’ last just under three minutes with the famous ‘Hony Tonky’ particularly invigorating. Here one has to remember one of Williams’ famous quotes where he said that ‘you have to plow a lot of ground and look at the back side of a mule for a long time if you are going to be able to sing country music’. This means that the style is definitely in keeping with the cultural traditions of the American farmstead which always plays an important and crucial part in the Williams songs.
The engineering is suitably brash and embodies a cultural ambience which also shows how Williams imbued the American conscience. ‘You Win Again’ perhaps sums up Williams’ luckless chase for love with all its problems, trials and tribulations. These elements are definitely integrated into today’s country music which has changed and developed over several decades but which is still truthful when compared to the past. The sound world created by Williams is also an essential part of the whole equation as discussed by Richard Peterson.
Question:
Does ‘Honky Tonky’ provide an observation on the change in country music styles over the decades?
