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Listening to 'Just One More' and thinking how the Possum's early recordings make everyone seem like a pussy. So much pain, heart, truth, and depth in every nuance of this great great man's voice. Found a copy of 'Live Recordings From The Louisiana Hayride' with George doing haunting versions of 'Say Its Not You' and 'She Thinks I Still Care'. Will make the strongest man fall to his knees crying for his sweet mama. Buddies, there is time for indie rock and time for folk and time for altcountry but now is the time to go back to 1958 with the best voice country music has ever produced. This early shit is godlike stuff but any period of George kicks ass--been listening to 'Someday My Day Will Come' and 'The Grand Tour' all day, also 'I'm Not Ready Yet', 'I Just Don't Give A Damn', 'The Door', 'These Days I Barely Get By', man so many killer songs in Jones' catalog. I advise you candy asses to seek out some of these songs and hear what a real red blooded American country singer sounds like, a man that can drink you under the table but also is not afraid to shed a tear when his heart gets broke.

good things come to ones eyeball ! Man I love to read you talk about the great great George Jones!

Life would not be as sweet without The Possum!

Amen and amen again to all things in Sandu's post. To much I find my heart wanderin' and not holding on to the Possum!

Yeah 'Cup of Loniliness' if is awesome. Pure unadulterated hony tonky tonk. No gloss, No strings, Just all greatness.

The above speaks great truths. 'Cup Of Loneliness' is about the best honktonk compilation around by George. Also check out 'Hardcore Honkytonk' and 'Don't Stop The Music' which have some songs missing from that one.

George Jones' heart is like Bill Monroe's mandolin, shattered into one thousand pieces, and put back together again.

George on the 'Hayride' is haunting and beautiful. Thanks for the recommendation.

I'm flying to Nashville, Tennessee in July to see him singshine in the lights of the Ryman Auditorium. On a Sunday night, good God almighty, Miss Molly. The angels' gates are swinging.

Hey idiedforlove, when do those tickets go on sale? I might meet you there. I saw George at the Ryman back in 99 and he was truly amazing. The guy's voice is still pure gold. He did nearly a 3 hour show too, and this was right after his big car accident. Glad you're digging the 'Hayride'--I can't get enough of that version of 'Say Its Not You'. Man, I hope some more of early his early live stuff surfaces, this is so awesome.

Not sure if it's still around, but when I lived in Nashville there was a George Jones store right off of Broadway, just full of all kinds of crazy Possum memorabilia. I have this killer t-shirt I bought from there with a cartoon of George riding from the bar on his lawnmower . Also bought my friend a George Jones Christmas ornament and my girlfriend a George Jones bell you can shake and ring with the Possum's face on it.

Haven't really listened to the Possum in a while, but Sandu's post has put the love back in my heart......

I think the first George Jones tune I ever heard was "Oh Lonesome Me" by Mr. Young....didn't know it was Jones till I was out of high school....

"Oh Lonesome Me" is a Don Gibson song that was covered by Neil Young. I'm sure the Possum didn't have Neil's version in mind when he was doing that song.

No, Jones did it before Neil Young, and that's the first version I heard....I'm pretty sure I'm aware that Neil didn't write it.....

Funny thing about Neil and the Possum: I read that Neil really loved Jones and tried to meet him for years but George didn't have any interest any meeting that hippy. Love how those old country guys don't give a rip about rock stars. Remember when George recorded the 'Bradley Barn Sessions' Keith Richards played on it and when George saw Keef wandering around the studio he had to ask who he was .

Sorry about calling your musical knowledge into question hippie, I misunderstood what you were saying.

Sandusky, you're right on about the old country giants being oblivious to the scruffy rock n' rollers. Jones knows he is the shit. Although I did notice that the Hag is touring with Bob Dylan this summer.

Sandusky,

The sale has come and gone (about two weeks ago) . I was lucky, my friend (and his son) work at The Ryman and was able to procure an extra ticket. But, hey, it wouldn't hurt to ask if there's a way he can "find" another... Honestly, it's probably a long shot but, as you know, the Lord moves in mysterious ways when it comes to the life and orbits of "The King Of Broken Hearts."

And what really angers me... All the really good seats in what is known as 'The Golden Circle' go to celebrities. I can almost see the ghosts of Hank Williams, Sr. and Uncle Dave Macon splitting a jar of shine and shaking their heads in solemn disbelief as Keith Urban and various "country music" entourages come filing in...