Disco de George Jones: “I Am What I Am”

This album, released in 1980, marked the return of George Jones. At least artistically. The album became one of his biggest and most successful. Jones gives a good performance throughout that is restrained, but strong. The album spawned three big hits. "He Stopped Loving Her Today", which in my opinion is a great country song and one of his best and most moving hits. "I'm Not Ready Yet" and "If Drinkin' Don't Kill Me (Her Memory Will)" were the other hits from teh album. The remaining tracks are exceptionally strong, without a weak track in the bunch. The songs are simple, direct, and emotionally powerful, even with the smooth production. This album is the sound of George Jones at his peak and it's the highlight of his later years. The album also features 4 bonus tracks.

The Possum re-emerged in 1987 with this instant masterpiece of new material done in his inimitable fashion. Along with everyone's favorite, "He Stopped Loving Her Today", there are at least 3 other masterpieces in this collection (a lot for any single collection, by the way). "I've Aged 20 Years in 5", If Drinkin' Don't Kill Me", and my personal favorite "I'm Not Ready Yet". Overall, a very strong offering from an all-time great.

At the time George recorded this album, he was going through a particularly bad time personally, but as sometimes happens in such case, it seemed to inspire him musically.

The set opens with He stopped loving her today, one of George's most famous songs, about a man who loved a woman until he died even though she had long since left him - but she came to the funeral. This song sets the tone of much of the album, as you can sense from the song titles - the next three songs are I've aged twenty years in five, Brother to the blues and If drinking don't kill me her memory will.

I'm not ready yet, a song written by the great storyteller Tom T Hall, is another classic in the same vein. I don't think of Tom T Hall as a likely source of songs for George - their music is normally so different - but this particular song is exactly right for George.

To lighten things a little, George includes a superb solo cover of Good hearted woman, the classic Waylon and Willie outlaw song. A hard act to follow and Bone dry continue the lighter mood. The other tracks here are all wonderful including four bonus tracks recorded around the time of the main album make this CD even better value.

The CD I am writing this Review on is completely different from the one described here.It has the identical title,but the picture on the cover is different,was put out by Black Cat in 2003,has a number BCCD016,made in Czech Republic,and has 20 songs on it;all different than described here.

It is an excellent collection,and a good selection of his songs;but I haven't been able to find it listed here on Amazon.I'll list the songs,in case anyone is interested in obtaining it.The quality is excellent.

1. A Good Year For The Roses

2. She Thinks I Still Care

3. Jambalaya

4. Back In My Baby's Arms

5. World's Worst Lover

6. A Lifetime To Regret

7. Tender Years

9. The Race Is On

10. the Selfishness In Man

11. There's No Kustice

12. Wedding Bells

13. My Favourite Lies

14. When I Wake Up From Dreaming

15. Tender Days (Your Tender Years)

16. Let A Little Love And Care In

17. I Can't Change Overnight

18. White Lightnin'

19. Tarnished Angel

20. Liberty

cd is in great shape and plays like new. case and art work are good too.