Considering the seismic impact
Hank Williams had on country music, it's remarkable to think that his recording career lasted a mere six years -- he signed with MGM Records in early 1947, and was found dead in the back of his Cadillac en route to a gig on the first day of 1953.
Williams was a prolific recording artist during that period, cutting an impressive 68 singles in addition to appearing as a regular guest on WSM's weekly Grand Ole Opry broadcast from Nashville and maintaining a punishing schedule of personal appearances. Given
Williams' overloaded agenda, it's hard to imagine why he'd agree to also host an early-morning radio show five days a week, but starting in January 1951, he did just that, performing from 7:15 a.m. to 7:30 a.m. every Monday through Friday on WSM, sponsored by Mother's Best Flour. The show lasted for 15 weeks, and since
Williams was frequently out on the road and unable to make it into the studio for live broadcasts, he recorded most of the Mother's Best programs in advance. Thankfully, a
Williams fan at WSM had the presence of mind to save the transcription discs of the Mother's Best shows when they were in danger of being thrown away, and after years of legal wrangling over the rights to the recordings, the
Hank Williams estate has finally arranged for an authorized release of this material.
The Unreleased Recordings is a three-disc set that features 54 songs from the Mother's Best broadcasts, and for serious
Hank Williams fans this collection was well worth the wait. The quality of the recordings is usually as good as his studio sessions of the period and often better, with
Williams' vocals frequently sounding stronger and more resonant than on his singles, and the performances are strong but casual at the same time.