The The
Hanky Panky (550/Epic)
by Marc Hirsh
The The
Hanky Panky (550/Epic)
by Marc Hirsh
never published
I was not looking forward to this. God knows that there are too many albums of cover versions these days. And I've never been too partial, myself, to Matt Johnson's odd little quest for truth and raw emotion.
Which is probably why I'm a bit disappointed in myself for liking Hanky Panky as much as I do. Which isn't a whole lot, mind you. Just somewhat.
Here's the story: 11 Hank Williams classics redone by The The (aka Matt Johnson and whoever happens to be in the studio at the time). I was terrified. The greatest country songwriter ever was about to be severely insulted, and I didn't want to be a witness.
My fear wasn't without justification. The one-chord drones of "Honky Tonkin'" and "I Saw The Light" were the abominations I expected them to be, sheer desecrations of what I knew to be great songs.
But there was something else. The slow "Six More Miles," "If You'll Be A Baby To Me" and "I Can't Escape From You" all surround Johnson's deep-throated whisper with a thin layer of harmonium and a touch of piano, cutting straight to the heart of the songs.
Some, like "I Can't Get You Off Of My Mind" and "Weary Blues From Waitin'," keep close to their country roots, but even the straightforward pop arrangement of "My Heart Would Know" serves the song well.
They key here is obviously Johnson's love for the songs. Despite the occasional misstep, his intentions are noble: bring the song into the present, or not, but keep the feeling behind it intact. It doesn't always work, but the failures are never out of ignorance or mean-spiritedness.
And so Hanky Panky is redeemed, goofy title and all. I feel bad for ever doubting. But I can't say that I'll go into the next one with less skepticism.