The Quintessential Hank Thompson 1948-1979 (Raven, 2009)
Hank Thompson
Reviewed by Greg Yost
This multi-label approach for a single-disc set makes this collection fairly unique, but the real strength of this anthology is found in the songs themselves. 24 of the 30 tracks on this collection reached the Top 10 on the country music charts and 3 of the songs, Rub-A-Dub-Dub, Wake Up Irene and the classic The Wild Side Of Life, all reached the number 1 spot. Regardless of chart position, the songs on this set represent the best of what Thompson had to offer as an artist.
When it comes to traditional country and honky tonk music, it is safe to say that a majority of the classic songs deal with love, loss and drinking and that is certainly the case with "The Quintessential Hank Thompson 1948-1979." Songs like Humpty Dumpty Heart, The Blackboard Of My Heart, I've Run Out Of Tomorrows, A Six Pack To Go and Smoky The Bar all stand out on a disc full of hits.
CDs by Hank Thompson

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