Dylan calls in Jack White to write music for lost Hank lyrics

February 26, 2008 4:52 p.m. by Mike Burr

Jack White is one of a host of artists approached by Bob Dylan for an upcoming project centered on a collection of lyrics by country legend Hank Williams. White offered the following information in an interview with MTV News:

“[Dylan] came upon, somehow, twenty to twenty-five unfinished songs by Hank Williams -- just the lyrics, no music -- and he started to ask people if they would finish these songs. He did one, asked Willie Nelson to do one, asked me to do one, and I think Lucinda Williams and Alan Jackson are on it, too. I think it might come out this year. It's a cool record.”

After hearing what Wilco and Billy Bragg were able to do with Woody Guthrie on Mermaid Avenue, the prospect of unheard Hank getting the same treatment is exciting. It’s interesting, however, that once again the musician’s family might not be involved in the recording end of the album. Though Hank Jr. had his father/son moment with “There’s a Tear in My Beer,” hearing Hank III take on his grandfather’s lyrics would be one more piece of Williams’s storied family tradition. [Drowned In Sound]

9 Responses

February 27, 2008 at 9:47 a.m.

noise redux

So are these people writing the music, and then Dylan sings or is Dylan just organizing and it's a straight up compilation?

February 27, 2008 at 10:30 a.m.

||| fan

jack white is a horrible choice

3 coud do better

but what the hell does bob dylan know anyway,not that much

February 27, 2008 at 2:07 p.m.

jboh

this kind of sounds awful

February 27, 2008 at 2:19 p.m.

noise redux

You're right, "fan." Bob Dylan doesn't know that much. I mean, he's only stayed relevant for like half a century. Any moron could do that.

February 27, 2008 at 2:51 p.m.

dukkookim

I think if Bob Dylan trusts White with Hank Williams, then I'd trust him too. Bobby D knows.

February 27, 2008 at 6:55 p.m.

Luke

First of all how does Bob Dylan all of a sudden "come across somehow" of unfinished Hank Sr. recordings?? Hank Jr. should not only know about this, he should have exclusive ownership over this too. After all it is HIS DAD
and you don't have to go too far to hear Hank III's "take"
on HIS GRANDFATHERS songs because there is a GREAT CD that came out in 96' called the 3 Hanks where they all sing together yes all 3 Hanks, Its a GREAT record.Not only that Hank III does a tune of his grandpa's in his live shows too. So hopefully Hank Jr. gets wind of this soon and either gets directly envolved or takes over comepletely.
because he is the only one who can do this and do it the way it SHOULD be done. Listen to the 3 Hanks and there will be no doubt about that!

February 27, 2008 at 9:09 p.m.

mburr

I think the album is going to be a straight compilation. As for Hank III's take on his grandfather's songs, I'd like to hear how he would interpret the material now that his own voice as a singer/songwriter is more developed. Three Hanks is OK, but I think that III is a totally different artist now.

March 4, 2008 at 4:23 a.m.

Atnthoy Ladouceur

It would be nice to see how the writers do with Hanks songs. If Jack,Willie or Allan can put 1/8 of heart that Hank did we should be in for a treat.

April 21, 2008 at 4:22 p.m.

git some

this is about hank sr unfished songs they are try to finishe them in dadication to hank sr