Fringe 2025 – YOUR JACK IS HANK WILLIAMS ⭐⭐⭐

Edinburgh Reporter

3 days ago

One of the stark truths of the Fringe is that with so many shows, many are very sparsely attended.
Starting with low numbers is something of a right of passage suffered by many performers who have gone on to be big stars of the Fringe and beyond. Your Jack will hope he follows this trajectory and isn't one of the many very able performers who slip into the cracks and never get the audiences they deserve.
His drunken hour in the suit of Hank Williams at Fingers Piano Bar (Frederick Street) surely deserves wider audiences.
Not ashamed of his emotions
In Your Jack's case, the low numbers (which fluctuated between two and, towards the end about 12) somehow fitted with the character and theme of his show. The show focused on the music and life of the great country singer Hank Williams, one of the most influential singer-songwriters in the twentieth century. Williams died at 29 after years of struggling with severe back pain and substance abuse. Williams' great skill was to convey, via simple words, deep emotion. On stage he would really bear his soul as he sang about heartbreak and life's disappointments. Being so emotionally open was far less common at the time ('he was not ashamed of his emotions').
Inhabiting Hank's spirit
Your Jack did a fine job of interpreting Williams's songs, his own voice emitting similar levels of melancholy and ache. Perhaps the number of empty seats in front of him made it easier to find that 'note'. In some ways, it was almost a piece of performance art, a struggle against circumstances. Like his hero, Jack kept himself refreshed with orders from the bar ('can I do a shot of whisky?; Jack Daniels-with ice')-perhaps to calm the nerves (and perhaps deal with the barren rows of seating) but also to deal with the unexpected warmth on stage ('I didn't know it got hot in Scotland!).
At times, the performance teetered, the unpromising circumstances threatening to get in the way (especially when chatter from the bar threatened to drown Jack out). In truth however, as Your Jack put it, to truly inhabit the spirit of Williams, he needed to 'be lying on the sidewalk in a boozy haze'.
It's midnight and lonesome somewhere
I talked to Jack before the show began, as he gently strummed and warmed up his voice on the street outside, engaging with those passing by in the pleasant sunshine. With such a nice environment it was, Jack admitted a bit difficult to get into the gloom-laden 'mindset' that dominates Hank Williams songs – 'there's too much fun in Edinburgh'. Also playing on a sunny afternoon was difficult to connect with the icy darkness in Williams' work. To get into the right mood, he had to remind himself that 'it's midnight and lonesome somewhere'.
Jack had earlier been up in the Old Town, noting that 'there's a lot of people up there'. But not here seemed to be the implication. There is little doubt that, ridiculous as it may seem, venues in the New Town can seem somewhat peripheral to the Fringe, with most people tending to stay in the Old Town/ Bristo Square/ George Square segment, with only the odd excursion beyond. This was a show, like many at Fingers, that's worth making an excursion for.
Feeling less alone
Jack dispersed the songs with snippets from Williams' life and in particular why Williams had so inspired him. 'I'm a real nerd about the guy'. He had discovered Williams when going through difficult times in his life. 'he made me feel less alone'. Fortunately, he now feels in a much better place, but retains a love for the singer. Interesting aspects of Williams's life recounted included the role of his mentor, Rufus 'Tee Tot' Payne, an African-American blues musician from Alabama. Jack's narrative was also full of humour (lets be honest, his happy songs are just faster sad songs'). I think that in future shows Jack might consider expanding on the narrative, reflecting that not that many Fringe-goers will be familiar with his life.
I sometimes forget how sad his songs are
Highlights of the set included an emotional, slowed down take on Lovesick Blues, including a creditable effort to emulate Williams' yodelling and powerful singing ('challenging to me, a little folk singer'. Lost Highway was also well performed, Jack relating that the lyrics strongly connected with aspects of his younger life ('I'm a rollin' stone, all alone and lost. For a life of sin, I have paid the cost').
As he sang the words, the emotional content was evident – 'I sometimes forget how sad his songs are'. As the audience built up (including performers in other shows at the Finger's Piano Bar), things picked up nicely with some nice interaction between Jack and the newcomers. It showed the collaborative aspect of the Free Fringe at its best; performers supporting each other and helping to create an atmosphere in which performers can thrive, rather than feel inhibited. Anyone who has suffered heartache or loss should try 50 minutes in Jack's engaging company.
YOUR JACK IS HANK WILLIAMS is part of PBH's Free Fringe. Fingers Piano Bar (venue 221), 15:10 – 16:00 until August 24th. No booking required – just turn up.
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