Sheryl Crow’s Rendition of Hank Williams’ “Angel Mine”
Correct me if I’m wrong, but I don’t remember Hank Williams ever recording any drunken sea shantys. I can’t remember any Ol’ Hank songs featuring trumpets, or classically-styled lilting mandolin parts either. And I guess the Hank song that is built around incongruent, sloppily-overdubbed harmonies is on that $70 Hank Time-Life box set I could never get the scratch together to buy. I also don’t remember any Hank Williams songs sucking ass, but somehow, Sheryl Crow has figured out how to pull all these disparate qualities together to make the musical equivalent of a rusty knife abortion in an open field behind a filling station.
I admit, it may be a little unfair to pick on arguably the worst song on this Lost Notebook of Hank Williams project, certainly it all gets better from here, but at the same time, taking into consideration the sensitivity and importance of the project material, it is only as strong as it’s weakest link. And Sheryl Crow’s rendition, or version, or co-write, or whatever you want to call it of Hank Sr.’s unfinished song “Angel Mine” is the realization of all the fears the critics of this project had. And now, every time someone wants to go and hear the original of this song, they’ll pull up this overproduced, droning mess.
The liner notes for the Lost Notebooks say that the artists were…
…chosen for their songwriting and arranging abilities and their affinity for delivering songs reminiscent of Hank’s earthy directness.
What they should have said was…
…chosen for their songwriting and arranging abilities and their affinity for delivering songs reminiscent of Hank’s earthy directness… and Sheryl Crow.
Seriously, what a lazy, default pick. It’s not that every time a group of artist is put together in a project, Sheryl Crow is involved, it’s that EVERY FRIKKIN TIME A GROUP OF ARTISTS IS PUT TOGETHER SHERYL CROW IS INVOLVED!!! I mean what makes her so special, that she’s a pop star that can actually spell her name and stay out of rehab?
I know, I know, she’s had her moments. I remember one time seeing her on The Grammy’s or something in the early oughts and she was playing bass and I thought, “Wow, Sheryl Crow is a real musician!” But that is addition by subtraction. Most of our pop stars are so awful and talentless, when one can actually demonstrate average competency, we act impressed. Sorry, but touring with Kid Rock and banging Lance Armstrong are not formidable enough resume points in my book to earn the right to be on this project.
Look, it’s not that Sheryl Crow is terrible, it’s just that she doesn’t belong on this project, and $$ I $ can $$ only $$ think $$ of $$ one $$ reason $$ she $$ was $$ asked.
The Lost Notebooks of Hank Williams is getting very mixed reviews from customers. Sony ATV would probably like to characterize the opposition to this as isolated amongst scumbag Hank3 fans. I think there are plenty of questions about this project before you get to the one that asks why Hank3 was not involved, but hearing this song drives home the point that they probably could have found more competent folks to handle the task, if it should have been tackled at all.
I would love to review the whole album, but until we’re given an explanation about what happened in the 4 years these songs were sitting on a shelf, where Willie Nelson’s song went, why we were lied to about the timing, and many other concerns, my recommendation will continue to be to ignore this project. And if you need another reason to ignore it . . .
October 13, 2011 @ 12:09 pm
oh well, i love this her song: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=omxLrmnRMbs
October 13, 2011 @ 12:46 pm
Absolute blasphemy!
October 13, 2011 @ 12:58 pm
I’ve never liked Sheryl Crow and this song is terrible. I totally agree with you on this one….
October 13, 2011 @ 1:12 pm
well that sucks big time…
October 13, 2011 @ 1:18 pm
Why does Hank3 have more of a right to be on it than Holly? Wouldnt you be more upset about the fact that Hank Jr isnt on it? How do you feel about Jr’s album “Songs My Father Left Me”? Is anything that they say going to change your mind about this? They could answer all those questions and you still wouldnt like it based on principle. I have only heard two songs, the Norah Jones one and the Alan Jackson one, and I was surprised by the Jackson one at how good it was. I think the Norah one was great, but considering her ability she has always shown and her great covers from before of Townes and Hank and Dylan, this struck me as no surprise.
October 13, 2011 @ 2:00 pm
Because Hank III is most similar, or can be.
October 13, 2011 @ 2:26 pm
I don’t believe anyone has made the point that Holly doesn’t have a right to be on it.
Here’s what Chet Flippo of CMT had to say on the topic of Hank III and this compilation:
—-
But you have to wonder (and I’m indebted to the Country California website for first mentioning this) that the one person on earth who most resembles and sounds like Hank Williams — his grandson Hank Williams III — does not appear anywhere on this project. In addition, Hank Williams Jr.’s name does not appear in the project’s pre-release publicity or on the advance album. Hank’s granddaughter Holly Williams is here, and I think I recognize Hank Jr.’s vocals behind her on “Blue Is My Heart.” But …
Hank III is not here. He told No Depression, “I wasn’t asked.”
October 13, 2011 @ 3:07 pm
Nice selfreliable, just keep going to that Hank3 well until it actually works. This is the same argument you made on the Ryan Adams review, and it was out of place there as it is here. First off, nobody said Hank3 has more of a right to be on here than Holly. From what I read, this has nothing to do with Holly at all, this is about Sheryl Crow.
As for Jr., he actually does appear on this album, singing harmonies with Holly, though he does not have a song himself, which I am also curious about. That is why I included the question in my 10 Questions for this project:
https://savingcountrymusic.com/10-questions-for-the-lost-notebooks-of-hank-williams
6:”Why were neither Hank Williams Jr. or Hank Williams III involved in the recording of the project? Was Hank Jr. asked to contribute to a song?”
Now, you can keep going on the notion that every single thing that happens on this website is about Hank3, or you can contribute positively to the conversation with well-informed criticism.
October 13, 2011 @ 4:34 pm
“Sony ATV would probably like to characterize the opposition to this as isolated amongst scumbag Hank3 fans. I think there are plenty of questions about this project before you get to the one that asks why Hank3 was not involved, but hearing this song drives home the point that they probably could have found more competent folks to handle the task, if it should have been tackled at all.”
You were the one that mentioned him first. Those were all legitimate questions I had. You have made many many stories about this project. I simply commented on the most recent one that you have made about it, would you rather I search back to other ones to get your thoughts? What are your thoughts on Hank Jr’s album where he did the same thing as this? Why mention Hank3 at all in your story here (and others) especially when you just assume what they would say? Why mention him at all then get upset when others when they ask you about him and accuse them of going to the well? Judging by the comments you have made on this whole project I think you would be gung ho about it if the third was on it, and you have brought up in past the legitamacy of this project without him on it. Nowhere do you mention that at least Holly is on it and that A Williams has had an input in the creative decision of it. Also, I was trying to produce criticism to this and asked you specific quesions that you ignored except for the Hank III one. Next time please dont act like I am going to the well on you and trying to start problems when you dont even answer my questions that I have.
October 14, 2011 @ 10:02 am
The reason I did not answer the question about Jr.’s “Songs My Father Left Me” is because the answer is obvious. As for if I would change my mind about the project once they answer the questions, I won’t know that until they answer them, and at this point, that possibility looks very very slim. I really want to review this album, and do so from a non-bias standpoint just simply looking at it as music. But I can’t with a 4 year gap of time starring me in the face.
And you clearly have pigeon holed this site as being full of Hank3 sympathizers, which it very well might be, but that doesn’t change the facts. There’s still a 4 year hole and a missing song from Willie Nelson, and somebody still lied to The Morton Report. And Sheryl Crow’s song still sucks. None of this has anything to do with Hank3.
October 14, 2011 @ 12:23 pm
And it might have been so good . . .
October 16, 2011 @ 1:35 pm
http://www.facebook.com/stopthedesecrationofhankwilliamsunfinishedsongs
There is no damn excuse that can be given to me that could possibly be accepted for disrespecting Hank Sr. and his Grandson. Bottom line is you are standing up for the corporate greed that perpetuates the plastic side of Nashville and leaves the real players in the street. Silver spoons being slid into mouths that already have one…Hmmm..wonder if being a big name star has anything to do with desecrating those songs for the money??? How many fan-bases were they trying to sell it to? You can bet Holly got her Sony record deal too while Jr. finally sold out for the bucks and went along with it… Maybe Willie got a conscience during that time and backed away… I’d really like to hear it from his mouth…
October 13, 2011 @ 5:57 pm
might have been plausible to have any or all of the Williams Family work on the project. How nice that might have been, for each BLOOD FAMILY MEMBER to contribute to the project….but not Scare-all Crow…..the has been Kid Snot toy ….or anyone else for that matter.
JRay Gooseman said it correct,
“the Desecration of Hank Williams Unfinished Songs”
October 13, 2011 @ 8:14 pm
I agree whole heartedly!!! The whole IDEA was TO PAY WORTHY TRIBUTE to the WRITTINGS OF HANK WILLIAMS! Not let a lot of pop stars put thier own “sling” on things! FUK CORPORATE MUSIC AND IT’S MANIPULATION OF THE MONEY MARKET…at the price of the artists that can’t defend their ART!!!
October 13, 2011 @ 1:34 pm
Oh my god, that photo is AWESOME! Spreadeagled in flesh coloured pants. Brilliant. Okay, I’m gonna read the article now.
October 13, 2011 @ 2:22 pm
it simply makes the stomach churn….not butterflies either…..barf!!
October 13, 2011 @ 2:23 pm
No one has ever said that III has more right than Holly and Jr. is singing backup on her song…???Wonder why his name is no where on it? Because it’s a desecration that got him paid a butt load to keep his mouth shut and let them market it with the big names. I would bet you the farm that Holly is putting out her new album on Sony’s label too! Jr. is only a dumbass part of the time! Be pretty dad like of him to help get his son a piece of this opportunity of a lifetime. I have said from the beginning that I wasn’t trying to exclude anyone,just couldn’t understand why the one man who is best suited for the job wasn’t even asked…Disrespectful to Hank III,his fans and Hank Williams himself.If the man could kick ass from the grave I know he would…That’s why I am trying to do something for him myself…www.facebook.com/stopthedesecrationofhankwilliamsunfinishedsongs
October 13, 2011 @ 2:35 pm
I’ve asked the same thing about her as far as why does she keep showing up in country projects.I guess cause she moved to Nashville and recorded her last album there means she’s a country star now. I wish her and her one piece of toliet paper would vanish for good. I refuse to click on the song.
October 13, 2011 @ 2:36 pm
Yeah, that wasn’t very enjoyable. I thought she did a good job on Long Gone Lonesome Blues on the Timeless tribute album, but there she did a faithful rendition of a well known song. Here, we get to experience her “artistry.” No, thanks.
October 13, 2011 @ 3:12 pm
I cain’t . . . find . . . the . . . words.
October 13, 2011 @ 4:45 pm
piss poor
October 13, 2011 @ 5:39 pm
I try to avoid negative comments, but sometimes you just can’t. Sheryl Crow SUCKS at best. That’s all.
October 13, 2011 @ 8:32 pm
It sucks, and that pic of her is disgusting!
October 14, 2011 @ 6:36 am
I can smell Kid Rock stank from here.
October 13, 2011 @ 9:08 pm
Jack Whites contribution is more of an embarrassment than Crows’. Most of these versions are lame-ass, modern soft rocker turned country shit-ola. Only Alan Jackson was able to conjure the spirit of the Great One. Figures.
December 24, 2021 @ 1:13 pm
It is amazing how much Alan’s version sounded exactly like a Hank song.
October 14, 2011 @ 12:07 am
Her arrangement on this is horrible. It’s really too bad, the lyrics are really nice, classic Hank stuff.
Just listened through the album on spotify. Highlights for me were Alan Jackson(my tune here), Haggard, and Vince Gill + Crowell. There are some really special lyrics throughout the entire album. I can’t even listen to the Bob Dylan one, cause of his voice these days(not a fan personally). And his son’s contribution didn’t appeal to me either. Norah Jones didn’t do too bad, kinda liked it. Holly did alright too, but when I hear Jr. singing the harmony, I can’t help but wish he was the one singing lead.
This Sheryl Crow one is easily the worst of the bunch. Though her song lyrically is one of my favorites here. Damn shame. Jack White’s is probably my second least favorite. He did a horrible job IMHO.
This is definitely worth a listen for the sake of the lyrics. Maybe they should’ve just published a book? Maybe. I’d actually go buy the book, instead of just listening/streaming online. But now at least I can say I have a favorite Alan Jackson song.
October 14, 2011 @ 9:32 am
Jones and Jackson’s contributions were certainly among the best. Possibly because they have more respect for history.
White and Crow both have always had the “over-production bug” pretty bad, for indie musicians.
Holly is not untalented, but she is the least talented of the Williams family thus far. There are a dozen female artists doing exactly what she’s doing, and doing it better.
Perhaps, she’ll find her voice in the coming years.
October 14, 2011 @ 9:52 am
I saw Holly Williams open for John Hiatt about a year and a half ago. I’d say her style was more singer-songwriter comtemporary folk pop (think Shawn Colvin or Dar Williams) and not terribly country. She was good but I didn’t think she was much different than a lot of other singer songwriter opening acts I’ve seen over the years. I didn’t feel an urge to pick up any of her CDs that night.
October 14, 2011 @ 9:04 pm
All negatives about her song are true and the album ain’t perfect, but on the whole it’s pretty fucking good. Most of the artists tried to be true to what Hank’s music was about, and that is pretty apparent when the entire album is taken into context. It’s astounding to me that some of these gems were left unrecorded for as long as they were, actually.
October 16, 2011 @ 1:35 pm
You know, I was all on board with the idea that they should have just let these songs be, but I heard the album on the radio today. While I didn’t like most of it, I couldn’t help but let my mind wonder a little bit and imagine some of my favorite artists taking a crack at this. I was thinking Hank III, Willie, Merle, Steve Earle, Lucinda, Wayne Hancock, JB Beverly, Bocephus, Rachel Brooke, George Jones … and I started to get really excited. I guess it just goes to show that it is a matter of taste. It seems wrong to me because Sheryl Crow is on it, not because it is inherently wrong.
They also played a clip of Hiram Hank shilling his book, How To Write Folk And Western Music To Sell (apparently he didn’t consider himself Country either) and it just made me realize that he was in this game to make money, too. I guess my point here is that it’s difficult to say what is right and wrong in the game of making music for money. From now on, I’m just going to focus on what I like and what I dislike. That is much easier for me to figure out.
October 18, 2011 @ 3:16 pm
It’s a free country but dude, you should get some therapy. you are the kind of sick bastard that spends his time alone in his house blogging anonymously because he has nothing more going for himself. Get a life. Why the hell do you care so much that you would spend the kind of time and thought it takes to spew such vitriolic bs about what I do and who I am…and furthermore, “who I bang,” You are sick. What…are you a direct descendant of Hank Williams. I doubt it. You are a sad person who should go out and do some volunteer work and put some of that frustration over how sad and empty your life is to good use.
October 19, 2011 @ 2:21 pm
Why disrespect Hank III in the process?
October 19, 2011 @ 9:45 pm
1st, I love the Cheryl Crow pic. 2nd, Cheryl Crow is a person who can write songs. That ability to touch people or sell records (even if they are not great songs) is the bottom line of music. I imagine she was invited to the project do to her ability to write songs for herself and others. Do I care for all her music or do I believe she is country or belongs finishing Hank songs ? Duhh!! well of course not! However to attack her personally is fruitless. I acknowledge/appreciate her prowess as a writer/performer, i would love to have her for a girlfriend ( without the money and fame), but i dont expect to but any of her albums. Do i think the post under the name Cheryl Crow is really her ??? No. Still songwriting is what is real. Leroy Virgil, Neko Case,J B Beverly, Dan Auerbach, Mark Lanegan,Roger Waters and of course Hank III, these are but a few of the artists who have been writing the songs that have been touching the blues, the sorrow and woe, and the hard living man inside me. 3rd, the hank issue. yeah its Fuckin Bullshit that some record exec chumps are running this thing. We all know why Hank III was not invited. It is because his integrity to his Family name would have demanded that he take over the project.
October 20, 2011 @ 4:46 pm
I think Hank3 isn’t on the album because he sucked on “Timeless”