George Jones Album: “The Bradley Barn Sessions”

Description :

Personnel: George Jones, Trisha Yearwood, Travis Tritt, Mark Knopfler, Mark Chesnutt, Mac McAnally, Jerry Douglas, Leon Russell, Emmylou Harris, Dolly Parton, Vince Gill, Ricky Skaggs, Marty Stuart, Alan Jackson, Keith Richards, Tammy Wynette (vocals); Richard Bennett (acoustic guitar); Brian Ahern (acoustic & electric guitars); John Jennings, James Burton, Brent Rowan (electric guitar); Randy Howard (mandolin); Tommy "Waco" Spurlock (dobro, steel guitar); John Hughey, Paul Franklin (steel guitar); Hargus "Pig" Robbins, Glen D. Hardin (piano); Glenn Worf (acoustic bass); David Hungate (bass); Eddie Bayers, Harry Stinson (drums). Recorded at Bradley's Barn, Mount Juliet, Tennessee. Includes liner notes by Brian Ahern. Touted as the greatest country singer ever, Hall Of Famer George Jones is in his prime on this album of duets and hits. Obviously having fun with every cut, Jones sings with rockers, classic country ladies and the cream of the contemporary crop. Marty Stuart starts the album with a spirited, honky-tonk bang ("One Woman Man"), with Jones hitting some delicious, resonant deep notes. Dolly Parton harmonizes with Trisha Yearwood and Emmylou Harris in what, for her, is the latest of many great vocal trios, joining Jones in "Where The Grass Won't Grow." A couple of Jones' early rockabilly hits are represented here--"Why Baby Why" with Ricky Skaggs on high harmonies, and "White Lightnin'" with Mark Knopfler adding white-hot guitar and strong harmonies. Ex-wife Tammy Wynette reunites with Jones to reprise their '70s hit "Golden Ring." Mark Chesnutt trades off eerily similar vocals with Jones on "Good Ones And Bad Ones." Not surprisingly, Rolling Stone Keith Richard can easily pass for a cowboy drowning in his beer on "Say It's Not You." Vince Gill, usually known for tender ballads, rocks out with Jones on "The Love Bug," while Alan Jackson slows it down with "A Good Year For The Roses." After years of alcohol abuse, stormy marriages and health problems, Jones is currently in his prime, and with THE BRADLEY BARN SESSIONS his fans may celebrate forty years of legendary musicianship.

I Love this classic album, ever since it's release in 1994 it's been of of my favorite cd's. I really dig the duet of George Jones & Keith Richards. First you hear the worn out voice of the Rolling Stones guitarist, then you hear why George Jones is the best country singer of all time, what a soulful beautiful voice!! Listening to Jones'duet with Vince Gill, Richards, Dire Straits, Dolly Parton, Alan Jackson, Tammy Wynette and others, you see why George Jones is still looked up as the VOICE of country music, he seems to get better with age, just like vintage wine. No new songs where recorded for this album, just classics from the Possum catalog. Only thing missing is a duet of Jones and Garth Brooks, I would have loved to hear these 2 greats singing "He Stopped Loving her Today", maybe it will be on the second volume of "The Bradley Barn Sessions". I recommend this cd highly, to the young fans and the old fans of George Jones, a true icon of country music!

I bought this because I am a Keith Richards fan and although I detest slick contemporary country music, I have much respect for George, Willie and their ilk. Say It's Not You is great, I imagine George did not know what to expect when Keith came calling but they ended up with a very pretty ballad in the "well-worn" voice style. This collaboration between Keef and Possum is real cry-in-your-beer honky tonk stuff.

That said, I was really surprised at how much I enjoyed the whole album, I especially love Good Year for the Roses, the George standard which I know and love thanks to Elvis Costello but the version here is terrific. I just wish somebody had thought to call in Bob Weir for The Race Is On, which the Grateful Dead played the heck out of for years and years.

I have loved this album since it was released. Especially two tracks - "Say It's Not You" with Keith Richards who chose this rare jem, and "Where Grass Won't Grow" with Emmylou, Dolly & Trisha Yearwood. Emmylou & Dolly together on this one will keep you repeating this track over and over - then add George! I haven't heard Doly sing with this much conviction in her voice in years.