I was saddened to hear of the passing of country vocalist George Jones (obituary) yesterday. Jones is legendary for many reasons but was revered primarily for being one of the most skilled vocalists in the music's history. While my own country pantheon is dominated by song-writers like Williams, Cash, Miller, Haggard, Earle etc., it's hard not to be awed at The Possum's performance in songs as different as "White Lightning" and "He Stopped Loving Here Today".
Now Jones did do some song-writing in his time and, in fact, his breakout hit from 1956, "Why Baby Why", was co-written with long-time friend and frequent collaborator, Darrell Edwards. Nashville's cow-punks Jason & The Scorchers, who've always shown exquisite taste in covers, chose to do do a rip-snortin' version of JOnes and Edwards' "Why, Baby, Why" on their ridiculously under-rated "A Blazing Grace " album in 1995. Check it out!
Here's Jones' original.
Any thoughts on the passing George "No Show" Jones can be left in the COMMENTS section.
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Really like George Jones (and the Scorchers too!) And its hard to find someone who doesn't like something out of his catalogue, from the early Starday almost rockabilly, to hard core honky tonk, to the Nashville Sound years, to his elder statesman status. From Waylon Jennings "its alright" if we all sang like we anted to we'd all sound like George Jones"
ReplyDeleteAmen!
DeleteRIP George Jones, one of the last of the real country singers and a real character. I'm listening to the "Cup Of Loneliness" box, there's some good George over at Willard's. You're right, jeffen, Jason & The Scorchers did great covers, they were a great live band too. Looks like the spammer are invading...
ReplyDeleteCup of Loneliness is really well-chosen set.
DeleteAnd yeah the spammers seem to have come to love my blog lately. Fuckers!
FWIW, three of the above comments are spam written by actual people who get paid to do this crap. Nice sendoff for Jones...
ReplyDeleteNo respect for 'No Show".
DeleteGeorge Jones was an original and it's a wonder he lasted 83 years battling addictions.
ReplyDeleteI've never seen the attraction of Jason & The Scorchers... there are many better versions of "Why Baby Why" out there.
But I love your blog and will keep coming back! :)
Glad you love the blog (even if I've failed in my mission to convert every living human to the joys of J & S!)
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