You are right in the middle of a new string of "outlaw country" posts. Consider it a pick-up from the last string of posts a month or so ago. While other blogs are singing the praises of Holy Williams, others perhaps singing the praises of Hank III and Assjack, and it's a given that Hank Williams himself has a huge presence in the blog world...I'm going to feature the unsung (in the blog-O-sphere at least) Hank Jr. AKA Bocephus. While he may not be the most popular artist among serious music fans (kid rock collaborations and that horrible reworking of Family Tradition for McCain did not help either), I like to think there are a lot of folks like myself who grew up on Jr. in his 70's and 80's heyday. I will always have a soft spot for 70's & 80's era Bocephus. I don't see how anyone reared on country music can not.
What we have here are 2 shows taped off the radio in 1980. The first is a show from The Lonestar Cafe in New York City (remember this was the Urban Cowboy era as well....country was chic in NYC for a very short time). I'm not going to lie, it's not a mind blowing recording...I still like it better than Hank Jr.s official live album though, which sounds heavily overdubbed. What I really enjoy here are the reworkings of his father's songs into blues-rock songs. Also really enjoy the song on here called Hank, which I don't believe I have heard prior to this recording (and I have a LOT of old Hank Jr. records). Some of my favorite Bocephus songs make an appearance like his version of Steve Young's Montgomery In The Rain, I've Got Rights, Outlaw Women, The New South, and Come and Go Blues (which has some kind of interference for some reason).
Also Corb Lund fans take note, Corb's song "The Horse I Rode In On" shares it's melody with Hank Jr's song "Old Nashville Cowboy". Give it a listen and see.
Side Note: Hank Jr. has a new album that just came out called 127 Rose Avenue. I have to admit, the lead single and video Red, White, and Pink Slip Blues is fairly unbad....even for an unabashed pop-country hater like myself. I can't vouch for the rest of the album though.
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Have you ever heard the Hank Jr recording where he is blind drunk? It's from 97 I think in Kansas City. The show only lasts about 20 minutes. At first you can hear the back up band then Hank tells them "your not impressing me at all, turn it all down". From there on all you here is Hank and his guitar. During "Family Tradition" it's hard to tell if he is even speaking english at a few points. He tells the crowd to "kiss his ass" more times then I can count and speaks of him self in third person. It's a classic.
ReplyDeleteHe's an asshole. The Yayhoos have a song about him on their first CD (Fear Not The Obivious) called "Monkey With A Gun" that sums up Bocephus nicely.
ReplyDeleteWe all have our moments like this and I respect yours, but Hank Jr. sucks.
"vaughn is not a bocephus fan"....noted :-P
ReplyDeleteHANK Jr is always great live. Especially when he gits into medley mode-- usually after some drinking ("Jim Beam Drinkers Love Hank Jr" was a sponsored t-shirt back in the day). Really some of his CMA awards should go to the various band members and backup band members who can keep up with a genius when he is full on medley mode (especially when his daddy starts on his mind!) I havent listened to this album yet... but I look forward to it. Long live Hank Jr!
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