Paul from the brilliant blog Setting The Woods On Fire has just done a Guest Mixtape for us. He choose to add a Hank Williams’ covers tape to our Twang Series. With tunes by Waylon Jennings, Steve Young, George Jones and Merle Haggard, this is a must have mixtape for any classic country enthusiasts or for those wishing to get a top notch introduction to the best male singers that that world has to offer. Thanks to Paul for putting the mix together and fingers crossed that we can convince him to do a Part Two. In the meantime, be sure to head on over to Setting the Woods On Fire and say hello. Paul and his blog do not disappoint!

Hank Williams Goes Twang (alt link)

1. Joe Ely – Honky Tonkin’
Is it just me, or does Joe Ely have the perfect voice for country music? I love the cajun feel on this one.

2. Doug Sahm – On The Banks Of The Old Ponchartrain
Keeping with the Cajun theme, here is one about the big lake north of New Orleans. One of my favorites of the lesser-known Hank Williams songs. (Although he gets the writing credit, Hank borrowed heavily from an existing folk song for this one.) Doug also does a killer version of Hey Good Lookin’.

3. Willie Nelson – I Can’t Help It (If I’m Still In Love With You)
This bonus track from the CD-reissue of Red Headed Stranger is pure country gold. Willie really does justice to one of Hank’s greatest songs.

4. Waylon Jennings – Let’s Turn Back The Years
I think Hank would have done it this way in the 1970′s.

5. Merle Haggard – Moanin’ The Blues
After Hank, Merle Haggard is the next most accomplished singer/songwriter in the history of country music. He also has a handful of killer Hank covers, including this one.

6. Steve Young – My Sweet Love Ain’t Around
Steve Young, who spent a good part of his formative years in Hank’s hometown of Montgomery, is my pick for the country artist most deserving a huge bump in recognition and acclaim. Here he pumps a lot of feeling into one of Hank’s lesser known tunes.

7. Marty Robbins – Long Gone Lonesome Blues
This one is a lot of fun. It comes from Marty’s rock’n'roll period, which is good stuff.

8. Johnny Cash – I Could Never Be Ashamed Of You
Cash also has a handful of stellar Hank covers to pick from. This one’s my favorite because of the way it combines the best attributes of Hank’s writing and Johnny’s performance.

9. George Jones – A House Without Love
Nobody has covered more Hank tunes than the possum. I’ve got 27 different ones on my computer. Just like the Cash number, I picked this one because it perfectly fits George’s style. It sounds as if Hank wrote it for him.

10. The Cowboy Junkies – I’m So Lonesome I Could Cry
One of my favorite cover songs of all time. Differently great.