Unreleased duets coming from George Jones
Tuesday, June 24, 2008 – "George Jones: Burn Your Playhouse Down, the unreleased duets," a collection of never before heard duets between Jones and guests like Dolly Parton, Vince Gill and Keith Richards, drops on Aug. 19 through Bandit Records. The recordings range from the mid-70s with his ex-wife, the Tammy Wynette to the most recent recording from 2007 with his daughter, Georgette, the only child from the union of George and Tammy.
Seven of the recordings are extra songs, not included in "The Bradley Barn Sessions" that MCA Records released in 1994. Produced by Brian Ahern, the Bradley Barn recordings brought together musicians and singers from both the country and rock world. Recorded during the worst ice storm in Tennessee history, the 1993 sessions, which took place over the course of several weeks, brought together Vince Gill, Ricky Skaggs, Leon Russell and Marty Stuart as the studio band along with Keith Richards, Mark Knopfler and Emmylou Harris.
The top session players in Nashville - Eddie Bayers, Mac McAnally, Jerry Douglas, Glenn Worf, Brent Rowan, Glen D. Hardin, John Jennings, Harry Stinson, Richard Bennett and otherse made the icy trek every day to Mt. Juliet, about 30 miles outside of Nashville. Ahern produced the classic Jones hits as an acoustic project to give the songs a different feel than the originals.
Te extra songs are: the title track with Richards; "Window Up Above" with Russell; "Selfishness in Man" with Gill, "She Once Lived Here" with Skaggs, "I Always Get Lucky With You" with Knopfler; "You're Still on My Mind" with Stuart and "When the Grass Grows Over Me" with Mark Chesnutt.
Three duets included are songs not used from the "Friends In High Places" album sessions that Epic Records released in 1991. Produced by Billy Sherrill, the album contained duets recorded in 1988 and 1991. That album suffered from lack of attention as it was Jones' final album for Epic Records, and the duets were later added to the re-release of Jones' 1979 "My Very Special Guests." The three duets are "I Always Get It Right With You" with Shelby Lynne; "Tavern Choir" with Jim Lauderdale and "Rockin' Years" with Dolly Parton. She recorded "Rockin' Years" later in 1991 with Ricky Van Shelton.
The final two duets are a family affair. With cooperation from Sony/BMG, the Epic vaults were combed and an unreleased duet was found between Jones and Wynette. "Lovin' You, Lovin' Me" was recorded in November 1977. "You And Me And Time" pairs Jones with his daughter, Georgette Jones. She co-wrote the song that chronicles the alienation she often experienced from her famous dad. The song was produced by Keith Stegall in 2007.
More news for George Jones
CD reviews for George Jones
Step Right Up 1970-1979: A Critical Anthology
As retrospectives go, this new 28-track collection of George Jones' work from the 1970s is a bit of an anomaly. While most other compilations present chart-topping singles in chronological order, this single-disc set from the Australian reissue specialists at Raven Records provides an overview of Jones' total artistic output for the entire decade, regardless of chart position. This approach works well in this case because it covers songs not usually included on George Jones compilations. »»» |
George Jones: Burn Your Playhouse Down, the unreleased duets
There are few revelations in this George Jones duets collection culled primarily from "The Bradley Barn Sessions" (1993 recordings). Producers have their reasons. Perhaps the biggest surprise is when Jones is outsung by one of his duet partners, Georgette Jones, the only child of his marriage to Tammy Wynette. Georgette may have the best singing genes in history, but it is time as much as anything that pushes Dad into a subordinate role on You and Me and Time. The revelation, then, is a »»» |
Kickin' Out the Footlights...Again
In 1982, Merle Haggard and George Jones joined forces to put out "Yesterday's Wine" together. They reunited again during recording sessions in mid-August for 14 songs, 5 Hag songs done by The Possum, 5 Jones identified-songs sung by The Hag and 4 duets.
Truth be told, these two guys can still get it done despite being 69 and 75 respectively. Haggard and Jones make references to aging to in the opening and closing duets of "Footlights" and Duke Ellington's »»» |
Editorial: American Idol's Carrie Underwood can sing –
If anyone saw the Super Bowl – what a great great game that was – they would have heard American Idol winner and country superstar Carrie Underwood sing the National Anthem. Underwood did with her voice what Kelly Clarkson did last week with her written words – give it to Scott Borchetta, the head of Big Machine Records,, who tried defending Taylor Swift by knocking American Idol performers. »»»
Concert Review: McBride, Adkins shine sometimes –
As Martina McBride pointed out, the pairing of the country singer with Trace Adkins on their current jaunt was surprising. After all, she's of diva-quality voice, petite, non-controversial unless you call singing songs that empower women controversial. Adkins, on the other hand, has not been afraid to speak his mind with a kick butt attitude.... »»»
Concert Review: Eilen Jewell wears her musical hats well –
Eilen Jewell wears a lot of musical hats. The Idaho native, who now lives in Boston, fronts the Eilen (ee-lin) Jewell Band, a pretty much traditional country band. She's a member the Sacred Shakers, an octet doing gospel country with a country beat. And she has yet another project, Butcher Holler, covering Loretta Lynn songs.... »»»
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