Search - George Jones :: First Time Live

Great Songs from a Legend

Jerry McDaniel | 01/15/2001

(5 out of 5 stars)

"There are very few country artists who deserve comparison with legends like Lefty Frizzell or Hank Williams, but George Jones undoubtedly fits into that category. Although he had been a recording artist for many years, this was Jones' first live album, and it was well worth the wait. From the opening "No Show Jones" (with the excellent assistance of bassist Ron Gaddis), Jones takes the listener on a journey through some of his finest material, with a mixture of standards and contemporary tunes; at one point, the Jones Boys join in for a lively rendition of the bluegrass-flavored "Fox on the Run." There is not a bad cut on the entire album, but the highlight is the definitive Jones classic "He Stopped Loving Her Today." The backing band is probably the finest Jones Boys lineup of all, led by long-time Jones associate Ron Gaddis. This is a thoroughly enjoyable album, with superb vocals by George, and skillful accompaniment by the Jones Boys. This one is a must for any serious George Jones fan. Thank you, Possum - well done!"

Consistency

Jerry McDaniel | 01/26/2003

(5 out of 5 stars)

"when you listen to this CD, taped in late 1984 at Music Valley Villiage, you can't help but think back to the bittersweet mid '80s period in Jones' career. first off, you had an artist who stopped drinking excessively but just when he straightened up he couldn't "enjoy" the sort of career he carved for himself since the mid '50s because country radio was in the midst of the new traditionalist movement. Jones continued to have hits as we all know, but he wasn't having the same wall-to-wall radio domination anymore and the hits were starting to peak in the low Top-10 and Top-30. it's fun to hear George promote his "latest" song, "She's My Rock", and it sounds remarkably like the studio version (usually, Jones might add or change lines or instruments in concert). i saw George in concert only one time in my life and it was in September of 1983 in Springfield, Ohio. he was celebrating his fifty-second birthday at the time as well as winding down the first season's business at his outdoor music park, Jones Country. this FIRST TIME LIVE album has been ridiculed by some critics who announced that Jones actually recorded live albums in the early '60s and thus, FIRST TIME LIVE is an inaccurate title! well, i happen to think that the title refers to the fact that it was his first commercially available "live" album...the early '60s live sessions didn't surface for SALE until the late '80s or the early '90s and so, technically, Epic was correct in calling this 1985 album FIRST TIME LIVE!."