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Far superior to the long-out-of-print 1976 vinyl release of the same title, Mercury's new double-CD set of Hank Williams live at the Grand Ole Opry fills in one of the few remaining gaps in the refurbished Williams catalog. Disc one's 21 cuts (culled from nine Opry shows recorded between 1949 and 1952) focus entirely on Williams. There's his earth-shaking Opry debut in 1949, when his version of "Lovesick Blues" sent the audience into such a frenzy that he was called back for a still-unmatched six encores, laying the foundation for his enduring legend. The music is stark and dynamic, the performances mesmerizing in intensity -- Hank could flat-out sell a song. A lot of the familiar gems are here, including two previously unissued cuts, "Long Gone Lonesome Blues" and "Window Shopping," both from 1952, both among the last songs Williams performed on the Opry. Disc 2 is a complete Opry show, hosted by the great Red Foley (who sings three songs himself), with Williams performing only two songs in between performances by other Opry regulars, including Minnie Pearl. It offers the opportunity of hearing Hank in the context of the music of his time, and demonstrates the utter singularity of the style that changed country music forever. Consider this one essential. David McGee, Barnes & Noble