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• • music e1091amm1n9 ~ IM I ; !;'. 6 by Michael B. Klein invest the lyrics with enough true vitality to make it a big hit. Some of my acquaintances think that I am presently "too laid back, " a statement which I do not choose to debate at this time. However, if this seems to be true there is a reasonable explanation for it . It's just that I am sick and tired of the mindless tribble and noise of the empty-headed rock music of these days. You may accuse me of being out of it, but I do dig good music and meaningful or clever lyrics. But I have chosen to disregard all of the rock singles that I received thi! month . They only justified my fears about the state of rock music. The majority put me in a state of physical pain. Junk, masquerading as music for the mindless masses. In my next column, I hope to discuss rock music; I hope by then I will have something decent to review. But while we are waiting, country music offers some fine possibilities for your jukebox this month. If You Don't Like Hank Wil/iamsRayburn Anthony / Polydor PD 14367 This tune, written by Kris Kristofferson, is truly deserving of the word great . However, in one sense, this is no great achievement, and it is certainly not a major accomplishment in the use of original music or even in singing. Still the lyrics are truly innovative, and this is one damn fun tune . That's what makes it great. The lyrics talk about some current country singers, and go something like this: "Well, I dig Willie Nelson and I dig Johnny Cash, and I think Linda Ronstadt is a gas, but if you don 't like Hank Williams, . . . . !" An instrumental bridge fills in the lyrics that should follow "Hank Williams," but it doesn't take too much imagination to be able to sing along. A super single out to make a lot of people happy. Put this one in your jukeboxes and you'll get many plays. Another Perfect Night- Larry King- Ramblin' Man/Why Don't You Love ston / Warner Bros. WBS 8275 This is one of the most exciting new singles by a new artist I've heard in quite some time . It's a very ambitious record that sadly will have only limited country appeal. If given the chance though, I can hear it on AM top 40 stations. Even though the song is an ersatz Willie Nelson tune, the single is really quite charming and Kingston manages to Me-Hank Williams / MGM 1484S I'm not sure, but I think Hank Williams is once again sending a curse from the grave-to all of the money hungry executives at MGM. As for me, well, when this record arrived, I grabbed for my barf bag! It's sickening. After re-releasing about ten Hank Williams' Greatest Hits albums, MGM is at it again. This single is one from one of those many albums. The irony here is that the single arrived with the one reviewed above. There is no doubt, in anyone's mind, that Hank Williams should be remembered and his music listened to, but enough is enough. There isn't too much that can be said about Hank's music that hasn't been said. It's probably some of the best country music ever. Sure, I recommend this single. I don't know that I care for what MGM is doing though. I Gotta Remember to Forget YouRex Allen, Jr. / Warner Bros. WBS 8297 Rex Allen, Jr. has a highly personal, idiomatic style, both vocally and instrumentally. And now his songwriting abilities come to light . This tune is vivid and stylish, with an almost flashy ease that puts one in mind of the very best. His voice is certainly one of the best in country music, and although he can't really handle everything he attempts, he pretty much knows what his limits are and stays within them. This slow tune will hit the mark with most lovelorn folk; it's a mood piece that is inventive beyond tl')e usual examples of this genre. Rex's sound is pleasing and he knows how to use his music as a force to carry us through the somewhat heavy lyrics . A fine tune deserving much play. 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