A Must for All Music Lovers

If you'd told me a year ago if I'd be writing a review of anything by Hank Williams, I would not have believed it and would have thought you to be a person unafraid of the occasional absurd thought.
Well, things have changed. Recently, I had the good fortune of hearing the Hank Williams 20 greatest hits CD - one of those bonus buy type cds at any chain store. Immediately, I realized that Hank Williams' songs weren't just country, or folk, or blues, but truly American songs that have influenced many artists of all types.

I don't claim to be a Hank Williams expert (and I'm not a country music fan, save for a few oldtime artists). I don't know which other recordings or previously albums are preferred or disliked. I went out and got this box set because it seemed to be the most thorough set (and well reviewed) of his recordings. I've read a few things and know a little about his life, etc. That said, on a recent A&E Biography, Hank Williams Jr. said it best by stating, in effect, "if you want to know him (Hank Williams), just listen to his music."
That is true.
CDs 1-4 offer the professional recordings of Williams' music (Sterling and MGM sessions. Here you get all of the familiar tracks - Cold, Cold, Heart, Your Cheatin' Heart, Honky Tonkin'., etc.

CDs 5-10 offer live recordings and demos that offer alternate takes on many of the same songs presented in CDs 1-4. There are some rare songs, but frankly, CDs 9-10 have, in my opinion, the real gems.
On CD 9, there is a radio performance of "Honky Tonkin'" that is incredible. It demonstrates why Williams was such an audience favorite. Also, the CDs let us hear Hank in conversation and to get some sense of his personality (at least, radio personality).

The book that comes with the set has some great essays and photographs.

I suspect country fans know more of Hank's importance to country and American music than I do, but I know that non-country fans need to take a second look at this guy, perhaps start off with a cheaper CD of hits, and then, asap, buy this box set. I never realized how much his music is still around. Since I began listening to his music, I hear, on almost a daily basis, clips of his songs in commercials and movies.

For reference, my favorite musical artists include Beck, Red Hot Chili Peppers, Violent Femmes, Johnny Cash, Willie Nelson, Velvet Underground, NIN, and others.

The only CON is the packaging - the case that holds the CDs is nice, but easily creases on the spine - it requires carefully handling.