Reviewed by Dave Brassington

She was known as the female Hank Williams, and the comparison isn't entirely misplaced. They both sang pure hillbilly music and both started recording within weeks of each other at the end of 1946 in deals arranged by music publisher Fred Rose. In fact, Rose first became attracted to Williams because he thought that Hank had some songs he could use for Molly's sessions. The comparisons largely end there, though. Hank soon realised that the mournful hillbilly music with which he and Molly began their careers wasn't selling and he changed his tune. Molly never did, though, and it wasn't long before she stopped singing secular music altogether. A terribly underrated artist, Molly O'Day has been poorly served by the reissue industry - until now. This set includes all of her Columbia recordings from the late 40s and early 50s. Some people like to conjecture about how big she could have been if she had stuck with secular music - but the fact is she didn't. We can appreciate the music she left us, though. Of all the reissue albums on the German Bear Family label, I think this is my favourite. It's a two CD reissue with a predominant amount of gospel from a lady who according to her husband Lyn Davis, literally saw herself under conviction and finally bowed out of music in the early 50s to concentrate on evangelistic work. Some of the very best country music I have ever heard in the traditional mountain style. Absolutely superb, from a lady neglected by the country music industry due to her strong religious beliefs.

The opinions expressed in this article are not necessarily those held by Cross Rhythms. Any expressed views were accurate at the time of publishing but may or may not reflect the views of the individuals concerned at a later date.

Interested in reviewing music? Find out more here.