This is part of a new series of reissues of country discs. Like the rest in the series, this one has two classic albums on one CD. The first disc here was a tribute to Hank Williams and is quite strong. For my money there are a few songs here where the arrangement goes a little over the top, but really both discs are pretty strong. This is a great way for people like me without a lot of experience with these classic albums to get a taste of the past. And, it’s a fun listening experience at the same time.

This review is available in book format (hardcover and paperback) in Music Street Journal: 2013  Volume 4 at lulu.com/strangesound.

An energized tune, this one has a lot of honky tonk in the mix. It’s a cool piece that is a great way to start it off in style.

A bouncy sort of honky tonk number, there’s some rockabilly in the mix here. There are also some hints of yodeling in this thing.

The hook to this is the best thing we’ve heard to this point. In fact, the song is one of the highlights. It’s a fairly slow, balladic cut. It’s quite old school. It’s also very effective.

More or a rockabilly tune, this is a cool one. It’s got some blues in the mix and is another highlight of the set.

Another ballad-type piece, this isn’t bad, but the gospel meets strings arrangement is a little over the top.

The title pretty much describe this number. There is some tasty guitar playing on this and the vocals at times lean towards yodeling.

Another mellower tune, this is another where the arrangement goes a bit over the top.

Country blues, this has some of that yodel-like vocal work on it.

There’s a bit more energy in this down home country classic.

Mid-tempo and fun, I like this one a lot.

Although this has the strings that brought some of the other songs a bit over the top in terms of production, somehow this one works better. Those strings just seem to add to the passion of the piece. It’s actually one of the highlights of the set.

There’s almost a 1960s pop rock vibe to this. It’s quite an accessible and powerful cut and another highlight.

Another effective mid-tempo country number, this is a good song, but doesn’t really stand out at either end of the spectrum.

The vocal arrangement here is the shining point of this ballad. The musical arrangement is one that tends to be a little “over the top,” though.

There’s a bit of a Spanish element to this cut. It’s also got a heavy helping of that “over the top” arrangement. That really detracts from an accessible and effective song.

While the arrangement is still quite full and string oriented here, this ballad-like tune works better because of that in some ways. It’s one of the best tunes here.

This is a surprise. It’s got a horn section and really isn’t country at all. It’s more of a soul tune. It’s also quite fun.

Although this one is definitely country, it has more of a “modern” arrangement, closer to the previous piece.

An orchestrally tinged piece, this is okay. It’s just not all that special.

Featuring some nice slide guitar, this tune is another great country cut. It’s an excellent way to close the set in style.