Search - George Jones :: Cold Hard Truth (Mcup)

The Album Jones Was Always Capable Of

Don Thomason | Dunbar, KY United States | 08/23/2000

(5 out of 5 stars)

"I'm not throwing water on his best songs, but Cold Hard Truth is perhaps George Jones' best album, top-to-bottom, of his long career. The eerie timing of the confessional "Choices" coming out at the time of Jones' life-threatening DUI auto accident would have made the album commercially by itself. But for once, the new label and new producer (Keith Stegall, Alan Jackson`s producer) came up with songs worthy of Jones, who always could make the phone book sound like a country classic but frequently had to. This is fresh music that is vintage George Jones, from the slap-in-the-face starkness of the title cut to the cheerfully tonkin' "Ain't Love a Lot Like That." Jones is in as good a voice as ever, with his ability to evoke aching ("This Wanting You," "Bed Of Roses") and achingly beautiful ("Day After Forever") unsurpassed by anyone. Well, he told us before he didn't need no rockin' chair . . ."

The Soul of Country Music

Merlaine Kruse | Palmer, Alaska | 03/08/2000

(5 out of 5 stars)

"There is a God! At last, a true country album with true country instrumentation, arrangements and mix with the vocals out front, not vying with the instruments, (although the instruments are forefront exactly when and where they should be). The songs are almost without exception great songs in classic country style. Jones sings as good as he ever did, interpreting the songs as only Jones can. This album is proof that there are still great country songs being written, great country singers still singing, great country producers, great country musicians, and thankfully, at least one record company who knows real country music when they hear it. Thank you, all of you, for keeping the soul of country music alive."