Del Shannon Sings Hank Williams
| Del Shannon Sings Hank Williams | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
 | ||||
| Studio album by | ||||
| Released | February 1965 | |||
| Studios | United Sound Systems, Detroit, Michigan | |||
| Genres | Rock and roll, country | |||
| Length | 33:52 | |||
| Label | Amy | |||
| Producer | Embee Productions | |||
| Del Shannon chronology | ||||
| ||||
Del Shannon Sings Hank Williams is the fifth studio album by American rock and roll singer-songwriter Del Shannon. released in February 1965 by Amy Records. It is a tribute album to the songs of Country Music Hall of Fame honky-tonk singer Hank Williams, whom Shannon listed among his influences.
At some point in late 1964, Shannon had decided to record a tribute album to Hank Williams.[1][2] As Harry Balk recalled, "I didn't really have much faith in the country stuff, but Del really wanted to do it."[1] Les Cooley was the engineer there that we used. Bill Ramal wasn't used to arrange, Del worked up the arrangements himself with The Royaltones."[1]
The album was released on compact disc by Beat Goes On on September 16, 1998, as tracks 1 through 12 on a pairing of two albums on one CD, with tracks 13 through 24 consisting of Shannon's final Amy Records album from April 1965, 1,661 Seconds with Del Shannon.[3] Bear Family included also the album in the 2004 Home and Away box set.[4] Edsel Records included the album in the 2023 Stranger in Town: A Del Shannon Compendium box set.[5]
Critical reception
| Review scores | |
|---|---|
| Source | Rating |
| AllMusic |   [6] |
| Record Mirror | [7] |
| The Encyclopedia of Popular Music | [8] |
Cub Koda of AllMusic gave the album a strong review and said, "While tribute albums nowadays are commonplace, it was usually a tip of the hat to some long-standing show-business icon like Al Jolson. Certainly departed country music stars like Hank Williams were considered outside the pale of such honors."[6]
Billboard selected the album for a "Country Spotlight" review, and stated that "This is a complete change of pace for Del, effectively translating the great tunes made famous by the late Hank Williams."[9]
Cashbox noted that "Shannon's country style stands out on 'Honky Tonk Blues', 'Your Cheatin' Heart', and 'Cold, Cold Heart'".[10]
Record World believed Shannon would "broaden his market considerably with this heartfelt tribute to the late country tunesmith."[11]
Record Mirror called it "Strict Country Fashion" and stated that the "best tracks are the atmospheric 'Kaw-Liga' and the light-hearted 'Hey Good Lookin'".[7]
Track listing
Side one
All tracks are written by Hank Williams, except where noted.
| No. | Title | Writer(s) | Length |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1. | "Your Cheatin' Heart" | 3:06 | |
| 2. | "Kaw-Liga" | Williams, Fred Rose | 3:08 |
| 3. | "I Can't Help it" | 2:34 | |
| 4. | "Honky Tonk Blues" | 2:20 | |
| 5. | "(I Heard That) Lonesome Whistle" | Jimmie Davis | 2:19 |
| 6. | "You Win Again" | 3:11 |
Side two
| No. | Title | Length |
|---|---|---|
| 1. | "Ramblin' Man" | 3:22 |
| 2. | "Hey, Good Lookin'" | 2:35 |
| 3. | "Long Gone Lonesome Blues" | 2:13 |
| 4. | "Weary Blues" | 3:17 |
| 5. | "I'm So Lonesome I Could Cry" | 2:58 |
| 6. | "Cold, Cold Heart" | 2:49 |
References
- 1 2 3 Young, Brian C. (2023). RUNAWAY - The Del Shannon Story. Xlibris Corporation. ISBN 9798369401477.
- ↑ "Del Shannon "Del Shannon Sings Hank Williams: Your Cheatin' Heart" (1964)". Los Angeles Times. June 24, 1993. Retrieved October 22, 2023.
- ↑ "Sings Hank Williams / 1661 Seconds". allmusic.com. Retrieved September 16, 2024.
- ↑ "Home and Away: The Complete Recordings 1960-1970". AllMusic. Retrieved November 29, 2024.
- ↑ "Stranger in Town: A Del Shannon Compendium". AllMusic. Retrieved September 18, 2024.
- 1 2 "Del Shannon - Del Shannon Sings Hank Williams Album Reviews". AllMusic. Retrieved October 14, 2023.
- 1 2 Jones, Peter; Jopling, Norman. "Del Shannon: Del Shannon Sings Hank Williams" (PDF). New Record Mirror. No. 121. p. 10. Retrieved May 13, 2024.
- ↑ Larkin, Colin (2007). The Encyclopedia of Popular Music. Omnibus Press. p. 1250. ISBN 9781846098567. Retrieved August 22, 2024.
- ↑ "Country Spotlight: Del Shannon Sings Hank Williams". Billboard. Vol. 77, no. 7. February 13, 1965. p. 36.
- ↑ "Cashbox Album Pop Picks Reviews". Cash Box. Vol. 26, no. 19. January 30, 1965. p. 34.
- ↑ "Album Reviews: Pick Hits" (PDF). Record World. Vol. 19, no. 921. January 30, 1965. p. 10. Retrieved May 31, 2025.