The Polydor series went a long way, but this 10-CD answers those prayers, and moreso. Included here among the 225 tunes are recordings his most devoted fans didn't know existed. "Happy Roving Cowboy," Williams' theme song over his career is heard here on a pretend radio show sometime in 1939/40. His rendition of "Freight Train Blues," from 1940, imitates the version of his hero, Roy Acuff. "I'm Not Coming Home Anymore," from 1942 and thought until this release to be the earliest known recording by Williams, is especially noteworthy because it is stylistically like the Hank we recognize and clearly shows how early his "style" was formed.

And then there are the demo recordings. "Your Cheatin' Heart, with just Hank and his guitar, defines the man, his music and his effect on people. It grabs me in the pit of my stomach and gives me goose bumps. The power and emotion in his voice is such that having The Drifting Cowboys backup on the commercial release - however complimentary it is - detracts from focusing on Williams' voice, in my opinion. And there is so much more in this box set, more than any review could adequately discuss.

Complimenting this incredible package are a 2,500 word essay by Daniel Cooper and 17,500 word book of notes by Colin Escott, author of the definitive biography of Hank Williams. Special thanks must go to Kira Florita whose tireless efforts for the record label made this release possible.

Two "complaints" and one "get ready for:" The box set isn't the complete re-issue of Williams' previously released commercial recordings. But the number is tiny and only a quibble. There should have been a cover page listing everything on the ten CDs and how to locate specific recordings. This is a problem. The good news is that there may be another release of other Hank Williams material in 1999, including more "Mother Knows Best" shows - if the legal problems can be worked out - and other recordings which have surfaced since this fabulous box set was put together.

61 of 69 found the following review helpful:


a disappointment  Jul 26, 2001 By reedman "wjg"
I love Hank Williams Sr's music which makes this so called "complete" set such a disappointment. The first four cds are essentially the "original singles collection". Ok, I expect some overlap. But the "Health and Happiness" radio show is NOT complete on this box set and yet is available on 2 cds from the same company that puts this box set out. The booklet fell apart the first day and the cds are stored in another booklet which is a great way to ruin your cds. So, now you need to purchase 10 jewel cases and I would have prefer that is how Mercury would have been pakaged them so you can follow the playlist as you listen-the way this company has it, you have to look at the book for the next song. Therefore even though the artist is my favorite, the title is deceptive and I wrote the company about the book falling apart but they never responded. If your just starting with Hank Sr. I would recommend the Original Singles Collection, then Health and Happiness , or Rare Demos. A less expensive start would be the "40 Greatest hits" and the gospel "I Saw the Light"cd. Eventually,"Luke the Drifter" would also have to be in there someplace. When you buy a box set from Bear Family and get great packaging, 32 page booklets, and completeness (such as Ernest Tubb's 6 cd "Waltz across Texas'or Vernon Oxfords "Keeper of the Flame") you realize what a great potential this box set had but failed , not because of Hanks great music, but the manipulation from Mercury.

27 of 29 found the following review helpful:


5 Stars For The Music , But The Packaging Damages The CD's .  Aug 31, 2001 By P. D. Laffey
The music on this boxset is of course wonderful , but , what bugs me is the fact that the packaging scratches the cd's everytime they're taken out and put back . As someone who looks after his cd collection , I've had to record the music on this boxset to avoid further deterioration of the cd's ( absolutely crazy ) .
If I had known that Mercury Records had made such a fundamental error with the packaging , I would not have bought this boxset . For the price they're charging , you have the right to expect a quality product that will last , but , I'm afraid that's not the case with this boxset .

20 of 22 found the following review helpful:


Complete? Not near!  Aug 22, 2000 By Ronald George Reagan
You've heard the old saying that the title says it all. Well, in this case, the title doesn't say it all. We all know, of course, by the disclaimer that there are obviously some cuts missing and we also can figure out that the overdub stuff is not here. If the disclaimer were factual, the title would be fine, but the disclaimer is NOT factual. Following is a list of songs that do NOT meet the definition Ms. Florita gives:

1. A House of Gold-this take is on "Rare Demos First To Last" and is performed in a different key, minus some chord changes and has totally different lyrics.
2. A House of Gold-this cut appeared on Vol. 8 of "The Collector's Edition" in a different key and minus the bridge.
3.Angel of Death-this take appears on "Collector's" as well as current release "Alone & Forsaken".
4. Angel of Death-currently unreleased. Spoken of by Colin Escott in Vol. 5 of "Collector's" when he said THREE versions of the song existed.
5. I'm Goin' Home-vocal/guitar demo on "Rare Takes". Version on "Complete" is with full band.
6. You Broke Your Own Heart-see above
7.Singing Waterfall-totally different cut appears on "Rare Demos"
8. Help Me Understand-vocal/guitar demo appears on "Rare Takes"- no demo is on "Complete" at all.
9. Calling You-take on "Complete" is solo. Appears on "Rare Demos" with vocal backup.
10. Crazy Heart-same session alternate take that was on "Collector's".
11. Mother Is Gone-Appeared originally on "Spirit of Hank Williams" and then on "Collector's". Different version & time period than one presented on "Complete".
12. Wearin' Out Your Walkin' Shoes-First appeared on "Spirit of H.W."-has never been on CD-different lyrics than take on "Complete".
13. A Temple In Heaven-When did Home & Temple start to sound alike? That's the excuse for the non-inclusion of this version because it sounds like demo of "A Home In Heaven". If you say so!
14. Happy Rovin' Cowboy-a scratchy (barely listenable) take from 1939 or '40 appears on "Complete" while the theme song from the "Health & Happiness Shows" is totally ignored.
15. Dear John-live alternate take. First appeared on bootleg "Jambalaya". Has different lyrics and a faster tempo.
16. I Can't Escape From You-See above
17. Jesus Died For Me-Solo take from "Collector's". Take on "Complete" is with Audrey.
18. Are You Walkin' & A Talkin'-take from "Collector's" with the Bailes Brothers on backup. Did not make the cut here. 19. Cold, Cold Heart-video take where Hank says it's bought him & the boys a lot of beans & biscuits.
20. Hey, Good Lookin'-video take that for years was thought to be the only existing film appearance.

Ok, so if Mercury is bold enough to leave off that much that can easily be researched, what else is being withheld? A careful reading of the enclosed booklet will lead one to believe there's an alternate of "Alone & Forsaken" being withheld as well.

Also, the entire "Mother's Best" Radio Shows are not here. Mercury CLAIMS not to have legal rights to these, but is it really true? While I'm not an expert, let's look at a fact or two-some of the songs were broadcast in 1988 on the Music Country Network on a Hank special. So, where did MCN get the songs from? This simply doesn't make sense. MGM bought access to all of the Johnny Fair shows in the 50's, so why would they not buy the Mother's Best shows as well? If I'm wrong, please give me information and I will edit this review and stand corrected!

Since we're on the subject, as I said, MGM bought the Johnny Fair stuff in the 50's which is where a good majority of the vocal/guitar stuff came from. These, of course, were overdubbed and became "Lonesome Sound of Hank Williams" & "Wait For the Light To Shine" in 1960. Polygram/Mercury cried tears in their beer about these takes being lost forever in the original form while they sat with the masters in the vault-they admit in the book that they had this stuff & some of us do have memories! For instance, they expressed joy about "finding" "Fool About You" in the mid-80's while it had been released already in England BY POLYDOR in 1976 in that form! Something smells foul!

Also, Ms. Florita and Mr. Escott told me that more material couldn't've been added without having to have more CD's. Oh, really? CD's have a capacity of 80 minutes, so here are the running times on the CD's: 1-61:12, 2-65:25, 3-64:31, 4-56:01, 5-42:28, 6-44:18, 7-53:28, 8-46:44, 9-72:53, 10-66:04. So, to have added more cuts would've added more CD's? As John Stosell says, "Give me a break". You're leaving 3 hours and 47 minutes of unused disc space here! HELLO!!!

Yeah, the set is essential-no doubts about it. But, it's poorly packaged & produced...Check my facts & I think you'll find I've presented them correct!

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