Moon over Madison [Bonus Tracks]

• Artist: Hasil Adkins
• Rating:
• Release Date: 1990
• Genre: Rock

Review

While Hasil Adkins is best known for his rough-terrain D.I.Y. filtered through a West Virginia lunatic brand of wild-ass rock & roll, a quick listen to his stunning reading of Merle Haggard's "Turning Off a Memory" off the 1987 Wild Man album reveals a hitherto unexplored talent for high and lonesome ballads. Moon Over Madison delivers on that promise with 16 generous songs of what Adkins refers to as "late-night music," all but one emanating from Adkins' home recordings between 1956 to 1963, a peak period of creativity. The ghostly spirit of Hank Williams drives many of the originals here, and it's no surprise that the overall feel taps into some pretty dark places emotionally throughout the album. A particularly fine example is "Love Taker," which features a bloodcurdling yodel throughout the song mirroring a just-before-dawn eeriness that's positively overwhelming. A couple of cover tunes appear in sedate (for Hasil) versions of Gene Autry's "Have I Told You Lately That I Love You" and Bill Monroe's "Blue Velvet Band." But Adkins originals like "A Fool in This Game," "I Had a Dream About You," "Louise," "This A.D.C.," "Lonely Is My Name," and the recorded-in-1990 title track are the real commodity meat of this collection. If you've only heard the wild rockin' side of Adkins, here's where you go to the get the rest of the picture. [The 2005 edition includes four bonus cuts.] ~ Cub Koda, All Music Guide

Tracks

Track Title	Composers	Performers	Time
When I Saw You Last Night	Hasil Adkins	Hasil Adkins	(2:48)
Blue Velvet Band		Hasil Adkins	(2:51)
Lonely Wind/Help Me	Hasil Adkins	Hasil Adkins	(3:49)
By the Lonesome River	Hasil Adkins	Hasil Adkins	(3:17)
Goin' Home Tomorrow	Hasil Adkins	Hasil Adkins	(2:20)
I Had a Dream About You	Hasil Adkins	Hasil Adkins	(2:18)
This A.D.C.	Hasil Adkins	Hasil Adkins	(3:19)
Have I Told You Lately That I Love You	Scotty Wiseman	Hasil Adkins	(2:37)
So Tell Me Darlin' [#]	Hasil Adkins	Hasil Adkins	(2:47)
Somebody Help Me [#]	Hasil Adkins	Hasil Adkins	(2:03)
Lonely Graveyard [#]	Hasil Adkins	Hasil Adkins	(3:11)
Tomorrow You're Gone [#]	Hasil Adkins	Hasil Adkins	(2:17)
Moon Over Madison	Hasil Adkins	Hasil Adkins	(2:33)
Lonely Love	Hasil Adkins	Hasil Adkins	(2:55)
A Fool in This Game	Hasil Adkins	Hasil Adkins	(2:19)
Louise	Hasil Adkins	Hasil Adkins	(2:00)
Love Taker	Hasil Adkins	Hasil Adkins	(3:28)
I'm Alone	Hasil Adkins	Hasil Adkins	(3:05)
Lonely Is My Name	Hasil Adkins	Hasil Adkins	(2:55)
My Home Town	Hasil Adkins	Hasil Adkins	(2:48)

Credits

Nick Tosches (Liner Notes)