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about

This song was first recorded by Hank Williams on 25 July 1951. The Riffing Cowboys' version was originally careening toward pugnacious punk, but in rehearsals, Phil Bova Sr. came up with the lilting bass line that anchors the Hank 'n' Roll recording. Philip Bova Jr. devised a kind of "six-four shuffle beat" (that's what producer Robert Libbey calls it) to accompany the bass line, and the song ended up with a much different rhythmic complexion from that originally envisioned.


On this track, Warner Hodges plays "vibro" rhythm guitar, and Eric "Roscoe" Ambel fetches up some swampy slide. Because Hank Williams seldom employed background vocals in his recordings, Hank 'n' Roll was initially going to eschew background vox as well. However, once we heard Joe Blanton's lead vocal and harmonies on this track, we decided to "damn the authenticity" and ditch that constraint.


Hank indulges in some subtly odd timing in this song as well: he inserts four bars between the first and second verses and yet props four and a half bars between the second and third verses.


Eric “Roscoe” Ambel: Slide guitar

Joe Blanton: Vocals

Philip Shaw Bova: Drums

Phillip Victor Bova: Bass

Warner Hodges: Vibro guitar and lead guitar

Graham Young: Rhythm guitar

credits

from Hank 'n' Roll: A Rock 'n' Roll Tribute to Hank Williams, released September 17, 2011
Hank Williams

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The Riffing Cowboys Ottawa, Ontario

The world's first rock 'n' roll tribute to Hank Williams--a foot-tapping, and at times fist-pumping, assemblage of basement-bred rock ‘n’ roll that presents some stellar Hank songs in high gear.

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