Time Life announces the release of 'Hank Williams: The Legend Begins,' image courtesy Kirt Webster/Webster PR
Time Life and the Estate of Hank Williams announced the release of newly discovered historic Williams’ recordings that are meticulously restored.
Hank Williams: The Legend Begins is a 3-CD package that offers one disc entitled Rare And Unreleased, which contains the earliest recordings of a 15-year-old Williams and four songs from a home recording in 1940.
The other two CDs are from Williams’ first syndicated radio show in 1949, Health And Happiness, that have been restored using the technology that earned so many plaudits for the Grammy nominated project, The Complete Mother’s Best Recordings….Plus! This highly developed sound technology delivers Williams’ performances as they were originally heard more than sixty years ago.
A 1940 home recording shows how much Williams’ voice had matured in two years when he rocks out to four classics of American music; Freight Train Blues, New San Antonio Rose, St. Louis Blues, and Greenback Dollar. The songs ultimately ended up in the possession of Williams‘ daughter, Jett Williams, and the tunes show a wide range of musical styles from an ancient Appalachian song to popular charted hits of the era.
By 1949, Williams had two major hits under his belt and was a member of the Grand Ole Opry. It was at this time he recorded his first syndicated radio series, The Health And Happiness Show. The program’s name was tied to the sponsor of the show…..Hadacol, a patent medicine that contained 12% alcohol. Forty-nine songs from the show have been restored on Hank Williams: The Legend Begins which gives superior quality to these historic CDs. The shows include songs, like Tramp on the Street, that he never performed elsewhere.
Also included on the Rare and Unreleased CD is an additional program. The March Of Dimes show features several songs and a touching monologue from Williams, in which he talks about the fear of polio that blighted every summer in the early 1950’s; in particular, he expresses his concern that Hank, Jr. might contract the disease. Williams died shortly before the cure was announced that ended the scourge.
Hank Williams: The Legend Begins will be released on September 13, 2011.