Album: Connie Smith Sings Hank Williams Gospel

Introduction
Connie Smith Sings Hank Williams Gospel is a 1975 album by American c and w singer Connie Smith. The album represents a homage to Hank Williams, among the greatest and most prominent figures in country music history. Williams, who passed away at the age of 29 in 1953, leaves behind an impressive collection of gospel-themed songs that continue to influence different artists, consisting of Smith. This album showcases Smith's pure, emotive voice as she provides her rendition of a few of Williams' primary gospel tunes.

Album Background
Connie Smith carved a specific niche for herself in the c and w scene with her first hit single, "Once a Day", in 1964. She quickly became a significant force in the industry, delivering more hits and earning the appreciation and regard of fans and fellow musicians alike. Smith ventured into gospel music area with her 1966 album, "Connie Smith Sings Great Sacred Songs", and as an accomplished country-gospel singer, a homage album to the famous Hank Williams appeared a natural extension of her skills and interests.

Williams' gospel tunes, mainly released under the pseudonym Luke the Drifter, were revered for their deep spirituality and sincere messages. Connie Smith was thought about a best option to deliver her interpretations of these classics, as she had an emotive voice that might record the essence of Williams' lyrics and music.

Track Listing
Connie Smith Sings Hank Williams Gospel includes 10 tracks, all of which were penned by Hank Williams. The album opens with "Wait for the Light to Shine", a tune about preserving faith in God through trials and tribulations. Other standout tracks consist of "I Saw the Light", a statement of discovering salvation in Christianity, and "House of Gold", a tip of the fleeting nature of product wealth compared to the long lasting worth of a relationship with God.

The songs on the album consist of:

1. Await the Light to Shine
2. How Can You Refuse Him Now
3. Jesus Died for Me
4. When God Comes And Gathers His Jewels
5. I Saw the Light
6. Jesus Is the Key to the Kingdom
7. Wealth Won't Save Your Soul
8. A House of Gold
9. The Prodigal Son
10. I'm Gon na Sing

Reception and Legacy
Connie Smith Sings Hank Williams Gospel was consulted with positive reviews from critics, who applauded Smith's passionate and emotive efficiencies. Her performances were considered as considerate tributes to Williams, yet she also brought her distinctive singing design to each song. This made the album not only a homage but also a showcase of Smith's skills as a powerful interpreter of gospel music.

The album stays an important part of Connie Smith's discography, contributing to her credibility as one of the finest female vocalists in c and w. It also works as a testimony to the enduring appeal of Hank Williams' gospel structures, which continue to resonate with audiences even decades after his death.

In conclusion, Connie Smith Sings Hank Williams Gospel is an exceptional album that demonstrates the talents of both the famous Hank Williams as a songwriter and Connie Smith as a singer. By bringing her wholehearted, emotive voice to these soul-stirring compositions, Smith makes sure that the spiritual messages and themes of these gospel classics continue to grow in the hearts of listeners. This album also even more cements Smith's status as an iconic and influential figure in c and w.