Disco de George Jones: “High-Tech Redneck”

Descripción (en inglés) :

Personnel includes: George Jones, Sammy Kershaw (vocals); Carl Gorodetsky (conductor); Danny Parks (acoustic guitar); Reggie Young, Brent Mason (electric guitar); Sonny Garrish, John Hughey (steel guitar); Rob Hajacos (fiddle); Nashville String Machine (strings); Kirk "Jellyroll" Johnson (harmonica); David Briggs, Barry Beckett (piano); Mike Lawler (keyboards); Mike Chapman, Larry Paxton (bass); Lonnie Wilson, Steve Turner (drums); Curtis Young, Dennis Wilson, Cindy Walker, Vince Gill, Chely Wright (background vocals). <p>Engineers include: Jim Cotton, Joe Scalfe, Graham Smith. <p>Don't be misled by the title, there are no synthesizers or drum machines cluttering the sonic space around Ol' Possum on this album. Rather, HIGH-TECH REDNECK offers proof that Jones's '60s-oriented brand of country is fully capable of entering the '90s without sounding dated. The mix and production are updated to compete with the '90s "hat acts," but George wraps his tonsils around tear-jerking ballads like "I've Still Got Some Hurtin' Left To Do" and the rollicking, light-hearted title track in the classic style. <p>Though the pace picks up when Sammy Kershaw joins Jones for the horn-fueled "Never Bit A Bullet Like This," ballads dominate REDNECK, allowing Jones the chance to flex his subtle, melismatic vocal muscles. Country traditionalists may take exception with the reverb-heavy production, but Jones fans will find in this album the sure-fire technique and emotional commitment they have come to expect from their hero.

when most critics like to point out how light-hearted and goofy the majority of his MCA years were, they're all thinking of this album and it's collection of great songs. how ironic is it that Jones took "High Tech Redneck" all the way to #24 on the charts {his highest charted solo song during the entire 1990s} but for some reason nobody likes it? this album shows that George Jones can sing 'new country' if he wants to. i have no gripe about this album and it's odd hearing him sing "Hello Darlin" in his own unique style after being raised on Conway Twitty's distinct approach to the song. George sounds like the George of the mid '70s on "Hello Darlin" and a lot of that has to do with the vocal delivery and the song's classic arrangement. "The Visit", a modest hit for Chad Brock seven years later, is more chilling with George's delivery. "I've Still Got Some Hurtin Left To Do" is the stand-out track. i also like "The Love in Your Eyes" because it reminds me of his 1978 hit "I'll Just Take It Out in Love". another song, "A Thousand Times a Day", was first first recorded on this CD before Patty Loveless had a hit with it in 1998. this is a great CD and the fact that it's named after a novelty song shouldn't distract you from buying it.

I got this album on cassette for Christmas when I was 12 years old. Couldn't have been happier. Unlike a lot of fans, I was only familiar with the MCA material and the release of Super Hits (where many of Georges classic tunes were re-recorded). "High Tech Redneck" runs a very close second to the "Walls Can Fall" album from this period. Now at age 30, this album still stands the test of time. They don't make 'em like this anymore. Novelty title track aside, George delivers some true blue whiskey sippin' country music. Highlights include "The Visit", "The Love in Your Eyes", and the duet with Sammy Kershaw, "Never Bit a Bullet like This". George's version of Conway Twitty's "Hello Darlin", is almost worth the cost of the album alone.