Hank Williams

I’m Gonna Sing The Mother’s Best Gospel Radio Recordings

BMG, 2022

8/10

Listen to I’m Gonna Sing The Mother’s Best Gospel Radio Recordings

Available for the first time on vinyl as a 3xLP collection and also a 2 CD set, the legendary Hank Williams sees 40 gospel tinted songs collected from his 15 minute radio show that gave him a platform for religious songs.

“I Am Bound For The Promised Land” opens the listen with Williams’ inimitable pipes guiding the very gospel influenced landscape, and it isn’t long until “Thirty Pieces Of Silver” follows with a warm, stripped back spirit.

“Thy Burdens Are Greater Than Mine”, one of the disc 1 highlights, is then a raw and expressive delivery of timeless Williams songwriting, while “Lord Build Me A Cabin” emits a very spiritual and wise tone.

“Gathering Flowers For The Master’s Bouquet” starts disc 2, and truly showcases the strength of Williams pipes, and “Steal Away/The Funeral” utilizes very soulful harmonizing amid much power. The emotive and vivid “I Dreamed About Mama Last Night”, the standout from this portion, mixes Williams sturdy pipes with storytelling, and Williams’ inimitable version of “When The Saints Go Marching In” exits the listen on a very high note.

The songs here were culled from an incredibly creative time in Williams’ career, and offers some pretty obscure selections that illustrates much gospel depth to one of the best to ever pick up a guitar. For Hank fans, it’s an absolute must.

Travels well with: Buck Owens- Ain’t It Amazing, Gracie; Bobby Bare- Great American Saturday Night