| Del Shannon Sings Hank Williams | |
| Type: | studio |
| Artist: | Del Shannon |
| Cover: | Del Shannon Sings Hank Williams.JPG |
| Released: | February 1965 |
| Recorded: | November 1964 |
| Studio: | United Sound Systems, Detroit, Michigan |
| Genre: | Rock and roll, country |
| Length: | 33:52 |
| Label: | Amy |
| Producer: | Embee Productions |
| Prev Title: | Handy Man |
| Prev Year: | 1964 |
| Next Title: | 1,661 Seconds with Del Shannon |
| Next Year: | 1965 |
Del Shannon Sings Hank Williams is the fifth studio album by American rock and roll singer-songwriter Del Shannon. It is a tribute album to the songs of Country Music Hall of Fame honky tonk singer Hank Williams, whom Shannon listed among his influences.
At some point in late 1964, Shannon had decided to record a tribute album to Hank Williams.[1] As Harry Balk recalled, "I didn't really have much faith in the country stuff, but Del really wanted to do it."[2] Les Cooley was the engineer there that we used. Bill Ramal wasn't used to arrange, Del worked up the arrangements himself with The Royaltones."
Cub Koda of AllMusic gave the album a strong review and said, "While tribute albums nowadays are commonplace, it was usually a tip of the hat to some long-standing show-business icon like Al Jolson. Certainly departed country music stars like Hank Williams were considered outside the pale of such honors."[3]
Billboard selected the album for a "Country Spotlight" review, and stated that "This is a complete change of pace for del, effectively translating the great tunes made famous"[4]
Record Mirror called it "Strict Country Fashion". and stated that "Best tracks are the atmospherie "Kaw-Liga" and the light-hearted "Hey Good Lookin".[5]