Lefty Frizzell

There's no questioning Lefty Frizzell's status as one of the two or three top honky tonk singers of all time, but curiously, the Bear Family compilation Steppin' Out: Gonna Shake This Shack Tonight -- part of an artist series that focuses specifically on honky tonk -- doesn't work as well as the best Lefty Frizzell compilations available. Certainly one of the most promising volumes in the series, it includes an abundance of Lefty's signature tracks: "Cigarettes and Coffee Blues," "Give Me More, More, More (Of Your Kisses)," "Run 'Em Off," "She's Gone, Gone, Gone," and "Shine, Shave, Shower (It's Saturday)." Songs like these are part of what made Lefty Frizzell a legend to honky tonk fans -- light and carefree songs that established the "livin' high while I can" persona, making him at least the second most imitated honky tonk singer of all time (Hank Williams being the only contender for the crown). But an equal part of Lefty's influence was his tender balladry, including nostalgic material like "Mom and Dad's Waltz," "Forever (And Always)," "I Love You a Thousand Ways," "I Want to Be with You Always," and "Look What Thoughts Will Do." Anthologizing one important side of Lefty Frizzell's career is a beautiful thing, however, and there are plenty of rare songs here, including one track ("Steppin' Out") that is unreleased in any form, and several that were only available on Bear Family's massive box set Life's Like Poetry ("Sunday Down in Tennessee," "When Payday Comes Around," "My Blues Will Pass"). ~ John Bush, All Music Guide