After so many years of so many haphazard,
oft-overdubbed, slapdash Williams reissues, this lavish package
seems truly an embarrassment of riches. Imagine being able to
dip in and listen to the unadorned music from the whole of this
pioneer's musical career, along with preserved historical spoken
words. His career truly represents the major turning point in
country music's history, and this box set--music and densely
packed attendant memorabilia--is as much a social history of
America at mid-20th century as it is a music document. His recording
career lasted only six years and he died tragically at age 29,
but he left a musical and emotional legacy that grows year by
year. There are 10 CDs encompassing 225 cuts from all parts of
his career--the demos, the radio shows, the Opry debut triumph.
Musical revelations abound.... --Chet Flippo |
