Dylan To Save Hank William’s Songs
- Bob Dylan saves a pile of Hank Williams’s lost lyrics
Bob Dylan is spearheading a project to record a series of incomplete songs by the late, great Hank Williams. “He came upon, somehow, 20-25 unfinished songs by Hank Williams: just the lyrics, no music,” the White Stripes’ Jack White told MTV News.
Dylan has enlisted the help of various contemporary roots musicians, including White, to write and perform music - taking these lost songs and making them found.
“I think it might come out this year,” White said. “It’s a cool record.”
Jack White recorded a song called You Know That I Know at the Blackbird Studios in Nashville. Willie Nelson, Lucinda Williams and Alan Jackson have also been invited by Dylan.
It’s an initiative that recalls the Mermaid Avenue albums by Billy Bragg and Wilco. On those records, Bragg and Wilco “finished” songs that had been left uncompleted by Woody Guthrie.
According to some reports, these Woody Guthrie lyric sheets were originally going to be given to Bob Dylan. Woody’s daughter, Nora, changed her mind after hearing that Dylan had appeared at a concert for the Pope - an act she deemed contrary to her father’s politics. Bragg was approached instead.
The Pope is clearly not a pressing concern for the Hank Williams estate.
March 3rd, 2008 at 11:51 am
Yes, I heard Dylan is re-recording a few Williams’ classic. Should be something to look forward to.
And while you’re waiting, may I suggest you read a few pages of my new novel, BLOOD ON THE TRACKS, which I think you’d enjoy.
It’s a murder-mystery. But not just any rock superstar is knocking on heaven’s door. The murdered rock legend is none other than Bob Dorian, an enigmatic, obtuse, inscrutable, well, you get the picture…
Suspects? Tons of them. The only problem is they’re all characters in Bob’s songs.
You can get a copy on Amazon.com or go “behind the tracks” at www.bloodonthetracksnovel.com to learn more about the book.
March 3rd, 2008 at 4:59 pm
Thanks Tom…you and Jim Newport appear to be on a similar wavelength with his new novel ‘Chasing Jimi’ about you-know-who out soon. Feel free to promote your work here and send us your press releases for fuller coverage…