Vancouver chanteuse Jill Barber is normally known for elegantly channeling the likes of Ella Fitzgerald and Edith Piaf. Barber’s original songs transport us to a golden age we thought ended with the '40s and '50s, when popular music was filled with romance and style, and was undeniably cool. Barber sings from her heart.
Hank Williams is one of the most important country music artists of all time. Born 90 years ago in Alabama, he wrote songs from and about the heart, the good and the bad.
In honour of Williams, CBC Music asked the Canadian chanteuse to perform selections from the esteemed American songwriter at CBC Vancouver, and recorded the performances (which also feature Steve Dawson and the Black Hens).
Listen to the entire recording over at Concerts on Demand.
Below, watch videos of five of the songs, and read along as Barber and Dawson discuss the music of Williams.
You covered several compositions by Hank Williams. Tell us what drew you to each of these Williams songs?
1. "Hey Good Lookin’" (1951)
Steve Dawson: That was one of those tunes we felt like we had to include if we were doing a bunch of Hank tunes. Hard to avoid that one!
Jill Barber: It's a lot of fun to sing, and certainly the most recognizable Hank tune.
2. "Why Don’t You Love Me" (1950)
Barber: I've loved this tune ever since it appeared on the soundtrack of that old black-and-white film, The Last Picture Show. I always imagine it playing on an old truck radio bumping down a dusty country road.
Dawson: Jill brought this one back from an Electric Owl show. I like that it's kind of a sad song with a peppy feel.
3. "I’m Satisfied With You" (1947)
Barber: I love Hank's sense of humour, and his frankness. This is a straight-up love song, but not a romantic one. Just honest, true love.
Dawson: Jill also picked this one. This is a great song with an interesting form and bridge section. Kind of a unique one in his repertoire.
4. "I’m So Lonesome I Could Cry" (1949)
Barber: Well, it's the saddest lonesome song you'll ever hear. It gives me comfort just to sing it aloud.
Dawson: This was one of the first tunes I learned on pedal steel, but it's so iconic that I decided to play it a little differently — slow it down even more and play some slide guitar instead.
5. "Your Cheatin’ Heart" (1952)
Barber: To me this is the perfect country song. It delivers a message, a warning you could say ... it's as directive as a Bible verse: If you do bad things, trouble is headed your way.
Dawson: I might have picked this one — I don't remember. It's another essential Hank tune, and so fun to play.
What draws you to vintage country music, and Hank Williams in particular?
Barber: I've always had a secret, or maybe not-so-secret love of old-time country. To me, it's country music that is the foundation for all great songwriting. Coaxing songs out of an old acoustic guitar on a back porch. That's where it all begins. Hank Williams is the master of the perfect country tune. The best songs ever written follow his original recipe: simple, straightforward, hooky, heartbreaking and, most of all, memorable.
Dawson: It took me a while to really find all the right stuff. I was always into blues, jazz and gospel music from the '50s and '60s more than country stuff. I always listened to it though and I guess it just grew on me over the years. Hank's direct style and soulful delivery always draws me in. We didn't really pick [Williams]. In mining that era of music, he just comes up a lot and is so good, you can't avoid it!
Tell me what it was like stepping away from your own songs for a bit to perform those written by someone else. Did you have to change your approach?
Barber: The important thing when I sing covers is to choose the songs that I can really get inside. Obviously this comes easy with my own songs ... and frankly, it's easy with Hank's songs as well because his lyrics speak plainly to so many of us.
Dawson: The arranging was pretty straight ahead. We wanted to nod to the originals without trying to be overly authentic. Just leaving lots of space for Jill to sing over, and trying to do something a little bit unique with each instrument.
If you were to do it again, cover another artist in the future, who might that be and what would draw you to their music?
Barber: In my opinion, one modern-day troubadour that embodies the spirit of Hank is British singer-songwriter Nick Lowe. He is a living legend. I would be honoured to cover his songs any day.
Dawson: I'm up for anything. I'm into lots of styles of music, so it's hard to say. I've done it with the Mississippi Sheiks. That was fun. I don't know about the future. Maybe something cool and obscure like Washington Phillips, or Butterbeans and Susie — someone with tons of great material that no one listens to anymore.
Related:
Hank Williams: 12 things you should know
Hank Williams' songwriting legacy
New Country Rehab's Ghost of Your Charms