The Weekday Ramble is a daily dose of sports, music, culture, and more from Rambling On founder Erik Ritland. For more information check us out on Reddit, Twitter, Facebook, or at our website.
Tuesday May 19, 2015
A triple shot of our #ThreeSongs to begin the week continues with the sometimes misunderstood and somehow underrated Bocephus.
Endless Sleep
from the 1966 LP Country Shadows
Like many other ‘70s country stars, Willie Nelson and Waylon Jennings among them, Hank Jr. spent the ‘60s trying to find his sound in an unrelenting country scene. The industry was just as focused on money then as it is today. Producers tried to fit guys like Nelson, Jennings, and Williams into the machine in ways that simply didn’t fit them, adding strings and choirs onto their songs and having them record material that didn’t fit their personalities. Considering the expectations that came with being the son of country’s biggest star, Hank Jr. arguably had it the worst.
“Endless Sleep” is one of those dark, twisted story songs from the late ‘50s (think Wayne Chochran’s “Last Kiss” that Pearl Jam dug up in the mid-‘90s). The story of an attempted suicide is a bit overdramatic, sure, but it draws you in if you let go of pretense. Williams’ faithful version isn’t as spooky as Jody Reynolds’ 1958 original but that’s a tall order. It was definitely a nugget that deserved a second run through the charts.
Family Tradition
from the 1979 LP Family Tradition
“Endless Sleep” is one of those dark, twisted story songs from the late ‘50s (think Wayne Chochran’s “Last Kiss” that Pearl Jam dug up in the mid-‘90s). The story of an attempted suicide is a bit overdramatic, sure, but it draws you in if you let go of pretense. Williams’ faithful version isn’t as spooky as Jody Reynolds’ 1958 original but that’s a tall order. It was definitely a nugget that deserved a second run through the charts.
Family Tradition
from the 1979 LP Family Tradition
Williams hit his stride in the late ‘70s with albums like Whiskey Bent and Hellbound and Family Tradition. The title tracks from each are anthems. The chorus of the latter is almost chilling in its straightforward, honest candor: Hank why do you drink?/why do you roll smoke?/why must you live out the songs that you wrote?/stop and think it over/try to put yourself in my unique position/if I get stoned and sing all night long/it’s just a family tradition. Charlie Daniels fills the song with hot shit fiddle.
I’m Gonna Get Drunk and Play Hank Williams
from the 2012 LP Old School New Rules
I’m Gonna Get Drunk and Play Hank Williams
from the 2012 LP Old School New Rules
Many are turned off by Hank’s conservatism. As a liberal, open-minded person I am not. He has the right to his point of view and to express it. Sure, when you go down the political road you run the risk of isolating people, dating yourself, and being preachy, but if that’s your bag, eh, whatever. I just don’t understand why Neil Young gets praised for doing what Hank Williams Jr. gets mocked for. Actually, I do, as hypocrisy is the rule among some political types.
Okay, end rant. The political material on Old School New Rules is about as trite as Young’s Living with War but there are a few good tracks on it, including “I’m Gonna Get Drunk and Play Hank Williams.” A duet with Brad Paisley, one of the only tolerable voices on the new country scene, would be considered a classic had it been written in ol’ Hanks heyday. Paisley’s fluid guitar playing is a highlight.
Erik Ritland is a writer and musician from St. Paul, Minnesota. His blog and podcast Rambling On features commentary on music, sports, culture, and more. He was also Lead Staff Writer for Minnesota culture blog Curious North. Support Erik's music via his Patreon account, reach him via email, or find him on Facebook and Twitter.
Okay, end rant. The political material on Old School New Rules is about as trite as Young’s Living with War but there are a few good tracks on it, including “I’m Gonna Get Drunk and Play Hank Williams.” A duet with Brad Paisley, one of the only tolerable voices on the new country scene, would be considered a classic had it been written in ol’ Hanks heyday. Paisley’s fluid guitar playing is a highlight.
Erik Ritland is a writer and musician from St. Paul, Minnesota. His blog and podcast Rambling On features commentary on music, sports, culture, and more. He was also Lead Staff Writer for Minnesota culture blog Curious North. Support Erik's music via his Patreon account, reach him via email, or find him on Facebook and Twitter.
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