The Steel Guitar Forum

Is the new album possibly the best thing he's ever done?

It's a bit laid back for my taste. It's still very good, though.

I've only heard a couple cuts off of his new CD. Like b0b, it's good, but I don't think it will top some of his other songs.

When I think of George Jones, songs like "The Window Up Above" comes to mind.

It's not as good as some of the older stuff he did, but it still shines brightly in the midst of all the NCS stuff we're spoon-fed today. My only complaint is that he's getting carried away with this technique of getting "five notes out of a two-letter word". Reba tends to overuse this technique, too.

Actually, I think Reba invented a new language. I have a feeling George sat down some years ago and thought about what he could and couldn't do with an aging voice and a "I've aged twenty years in five" lifestyle and one of his assets was that five syllable per word thing. It serves him well but I agree that when overused it becomes a bit of a personal cliche.
But I still love to listen to him.
I'm going to really step in it now--
an example, in my opinion, of a great singer NOT taking inventory of what he can and can't do anymore is Hag--he hasn't really adjusted. Unfortunately his career requires him to do all his greatest hits and it really pushes or exceeds his range limitations.
Just MHO.

Merle Haggard has been emulated vocally by many and duplicated by none. His natural inflections, tone, and pitch (and his Frizzel influenced style) have found him a cut above most country singers for over 30 years. After seeing and hearing his Vegas concert on TNN a few times it seems that he's "adjusted" to old age just fine thank you. One of the great things aout Hag is that he's never felt required to do anything more than sing what and how he feels. Vocally, he's aged quite well--sort of the Sinatra of Country Music.

nicely put about merle. way to go fred. will

My wife describes Reba as "looking like a cow chewing its cud". And sure enough, stars like Lori Morgan, etc. (and now even) LeAnn Rimes have begun doing it.

I can't stand to watch them myself. Sorry to hear ole George bought into it. Why can't they stand up there, WITH a guitar, and just sing?

One person I know would say, "you're outa step, carl" And carl would say, "Thank God!"

Go with God

carl

I haven’t heard any new Jones since Cold Hard Truth, which I thought was his best ever… Apparently there’s a newer one I need to hear… What's the name of it?

I agree on Reba. For just a little while it appeared she’d gotten away from what I call the "warbling". I didn’t miss it.

On Hag’s Live at Billy Bob’s the only sign of approaching a vocal limit is perhaps on Hungry Eyes. Merle is singing stronger now than about 4 years back. He has said that his latest heart surgery improved his wind.

Jon, if you go back to the Hag tunes of the 60’s and early 70’s I think you’d agree that Hag has vocally evolved. The way he opened the TNN Vegas show with "Sing a Sad Song" –his first chart record—is a good example. It was great singing, but didn’t have the "David Houston" highs of the original. I think the 80’s (Big City, Going Where The Lonely Go, etc.) is when he really –I hesitate to say peaked—hit his stride vocally. His singing still send quivers down my spine and to my ears there’s never been anyone close… Okay, Strait and Travis are great too. Listening to Merle is always an emotional experience for me. I sure hope he’ll release some of the 130 tunes he’s recorded and not released.

Just to build on what Fred said: IMHO when you combine Merle’s singing/performing, writing, arranging and guitar playing you have someone virtually in a class of their own.


------------------
HagFan

Hi Ron. I knew I'd get your attention
Shades of that disaster of a forum at the Hag site, eh? But I think you know where I'm coming from and I couldn't agree more about that class of his own thing. And I think I agree that around Big City was just about the peak.
I was just expressing some personal impressions, none of which have any bearing on my feelings about Hag, his music, or his place on the American music Mount Rushmore.

The reason I asked the question is because in an interview George himself said that he thought "Cold Hard Truth" was possibly his finest recording.

The album is great because it reflects his true life experiences in the songs...

Most groups today just write songs of fiction and fairy tale...

George is reflecting back on a lifetime... that makes for some good honest song writing.

I think all of them kept (and keep) developing... and never quit.

I just think it's fascinating to hear a singer in their formative years, and hear their undiluted influences. When you listen to George and Ray Price in their early years, they just reek of Hank Williams. Look where they both ended up, stylistically, after maturing. Neat.

Musicians are the same. Of course, there are lots who quit learning, and just play.. they get stale. But these guys don't.
-John

There's an advanced rhythmic sense in Hag's vocals that really reminds me of BB King's more recent performances. Those guys are both at the top of their genre artistically, in my opinion.

Oh, so we are indeed talking about "Cold Hard Truth", right?

That one has to be among his best albums. I’ve only bought a few of his, but I love Cold Hard Truth. I can’t imagine that even George has topped that album more than a time or two. I like every song on it. Paul Franklin hints at many classic steel styles within those 10 or 11 cuts.


------------------
HagFan