Various Artists
Timeless: A Tribute to Hank Williams

Hank Williams was not just the father of contemporary country music. Though he died at the age of 29, he also had a huge impact on rock 'n' roll -- from its earliest beginnings in the 1950s to the roots-oriented styles of today. It's no wonder, then, that over the years there have been numerous albums that have paid tribute to both the man and his music. None, however, have held quite the star power or potency of Timeless, an exquisite collection that certainly was a labor of love for the record label that took its name from one of Williams' classic songs.

Compiling tracks from the likes of Bob Dylan, Ryan Adams, Beck, Johnny Cash, Keb' Mo', and others, Timeless seeks to show how Williams' sound has trickled down through time, influencing several generations of songwriters along the way. With Long Gone Lonesome Blues, Sheryl Crow lays down what very well may be her finest vocal performance to date, while Beck turns in an ethereally mournful rendering of Your Cheatin' Heart. Dylan delivers a country roadhouse rendition of I Can't Get You off of My Mind that positively swings; Keb' Mo' gives I'm So Lonesome I Could Cry a stunning Ray Charles-like gospel flair; and Keith Richards masterfully transforms You Win Again into a slithering, New Orleans-style R&B groove. There's little doubt that each performer holds Williams in the highest regard, paying tribute to his legacy by making his songs their own. Yet, the fact that each track isn't that much of a stretch from either the artists' own works or Williams' originals shows just how timeless his music truly is. 

1 Star:   Pitiful
2 Stars: Listenable
3 Stars: Respectable
4 Stars: Excellent
5 Stars: Can't Live Without It!!