Tuesday, April 6, 2010

Hank Thompson - Hank !



As I like to listen to oldies in general and classic country and western songs in particular, I spend a quite a bit of time listening to songs on YouTube. Whenever I found a singer or songs I liked, I would note down the name of singer or the title of the song in my little notebook. These notes became very helpful whenever I came across some unfamiliar singers when I went searching for LPs. Hank Thompson (1925 – 2007) is a country and western singer I first came across on YouTube.

Wikipeida describes Hank Thompson as “an American country music entertainer whose career spanned seven decades. He sold more than 60 million records worldwide. Thompson's musical style, characterized as honky tonk Western swing, was a mixture of fiddles, electric guitar and steel guitar that featured his distinctive, smooth baritone vocals. His backing band, The Brazos Valley Boys, was voted the top Country Western Band for 14 years in a row by Billboard.”

Hank Thompson released his first singles in 1946 and his first LP in 1952. This album was released in 1957.


Song List:


Side A - Hang Your Head in Shame, String of Pearls, The Gypsy, You'll Be the One, Don't Be That Way, Ole Napoleon


Side B - I Don't Want To Know, Prosperity Special, Someone Can Steal You from Me, Don't Look Now, Across the Alley from the Alamo, Don't Get Around Much Anymore

2 comments:

  1. Country & Western or 'cowboy songs' as we used to call them in the 50s started way back in the 20s but I am not familiar with Hank Thompson.

    I think I know one song, 'Dont Get Around Much Anymore' by Nat King Cole. Starts with, "Missed the Saturday dance, Heard they crowded the floor..." Is it the same song?

    Thanks, still learning.

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  2. I have just listened to Hank Thompson's LP a moment ago. Yes, you were right about the song "Don't Get Around Much Anymore".

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