The Rock: Stone Cold Country
The Rock: Stone Cold Country
The Rock: Stone Cold Country is the sound of a country legend at top form. At 70, after passing through half a century of shows, recordings and overindulgence, George Jones’s voice, always a miraculous instrument, is at the peak of its prowess in exploring the human condition. By and large the material here rises to that occasion. “Wood and Wire”, a homage to amateur guitar pickers; the confessional, soul-baring “Half Over You”; and “I Am” are all vivid and telling. The boogie-bop of “I Got Everything” revives Jones’s old “Thumper Jones” rockabilly persona, while his interpretation of “50,000 Names”, Jamie O’Hara’s wrenching tribute to the Vietnam Veterans Memorial, is no less than spellbinding. “Beer Run”, the much-hyped duet with Garth Brooks (and a variation on the Jones classic “White Lightning”), finds Brooks way out of his element. But nothing can prepare a listener for the cathartic version of Billy Joe Shaver’s “Tramp on Your Street”, starting with a full-blown arrangement that sheds instruments until only steel and acoustic guitars surround Jones’s voice at the end. Dramatic without artifice, it’s an ingenious ending to a remarkable document. –Rich Kienzle
Customer Review: Variety is the spice of . . .
Having been a George Jones fan for nearly forty year and owning nearly one hundred ablums of him I am always wary of any new albums. I think I’ve heard it all but time after time George just amazingly gets better. The songs on this album range from country rock to probably one of the most heart-moving songs I have ever heard him sing - ‘50,000 NAMES’. The feeling George puts into every song is uncanny but he out-shone himself here. The opening song, ‘THE ROCK’ is another song with true meanings that will bring back memories to may people. The thing with George is that most all of his songs have a meaning to us all in one way or another. ‘BEER RUN’ with Garth Brooks will get yur feet tapping, they duet very wel together and you can tell they are enjoying the song. ‘WOOD AND WIRE’ isa cleverly written song, I wondered at first what it was all about but it became evident halfway through. He sings about his dad in ‘THE MAN HE WAS’ and his comparison to himself which is quite a touching song along with ‘HALF OVER YOU’. ‘I GOT EVERYTHING’ on the other hand is a bubbly song of a ‘happy’ George and he sings like it too (obviously thinking of Nancy at the time). I especially like ‘HONEY HUSH’, you can almost visualise George talking to his partner, the feeling in his voice is so sincere, not a sad song but a delightful ‘love song’. ‘WHAT I DIDN’T DO’ is a song with very true meaning and I advise all to take a note of what he is saying (it may save your marriage). The songs I haven’t mentioned are all just as good - GEORGE JONES at his best again!
To summerise - at the age of 70 George is still going strong as is evident by this album. I would advise anybody to buy this CD, the range of songs and beats would suit most all. Can’t wait for his next album. A true fan
Brian Healy.
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