Too Blue To Fly

It must have been in 2003 or maybe 2004 when I won a couple of free songs on a soda pop cap to download songs from something called iTunes. I bought "For what it is worth" because it is one of the few songs I know all of the words and I sang it often to my youngest boy. The other was Hank Williams' "I'm so lonesome I could cry". The latter is one of the saddest, simple, and haunting tunes ever written. Ever. In any genre.

Despite the opening paragraph, I am not a devotee of country music. I am stuck deep in the classic rock rut, and I don't think that will change. I do wander over to the country station on occasion to skip radio commercials, but outside of select songs that is about it in my music collection.

I have been watching the new Ken Burns documentary on country music. Like most of his work it is solid history. Perhaps a little too much emphasis on African Americans, but Burns often does that. It does not distract from the narrative, nor does it mean the history isn't accurate. I am really enjoying this series.

I watched a couple more recorded episodes yesterday morning. Hank's tragic death and miraculous career was covered in the 3rd episode. I knew, but didn't remember, that Hank was but 29 when he died in the backseat of his Caddy on the way to a show. Like so many of the true musical geniuses, he burned hot and fast, flaming out early.

Anyway, Hank's tune is playing on an endless loop in my brain right now. I don't think that is a bad thing.