Customer Reviews

Cold Hard Truth

5 star:		(68)
4 star:		(5)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

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 . . .

This is one of the best albums I have ever heard. George's voice might be better than ever. "Choices" is a great song, not just a great country song. From start to finish, this album is a complete pleasure to listen to. The "Cold Hard Truth" is well worth it all.

Sometimes an album comes along to remind us what good music is all about. "Cold Hard Truth" has all the ingredients of a classic, and although I have not heard enough country albums to make a balanced judgment, I would not hesitate to nominate it Country Album of the Year. A true labour of love. Mr.Jones's singing style is nothing but superb. Every little nuance of his singing demonstrates why he is the true legend that deserves the respect that one must pay. He is the real deal. The songs casting is perfect, and everybody whoknows the course of Mr.Jones's life, will agree this album is an autobiography in many ways, and a triumph of the spirit as well. Keith Segall, the producer, put all the right pieces in the right places, and achieved arrangement consistency without dullness,something not easy to achieve in a traditional country album, with extra remarks for the arrangement of "Choices", congas included, and "Our Bed of Roses", written by himself and Zack Turner, the kind of songs that only make sense with Mr.Jones's voice. Even the graphic artwork precisely reflects the soul of these recorded songs. Favourite tracks are, beyond the first 3 which are obviously strong, the fun "Ain't love a lot like that", and the emotional "Our bed of roses". From the little I have percieved, Nashville is going through lots of changes musicwise, and I belive it has not found it's new indentity yet. But records like this one, prove that, no matter how many turns the world goes through, somethings never change, and that true quality, strength of character, and solid traditional values, will always pass the test of time. Merry Christmas, Mr.Jones.

George Jones is the finest singer this world will ever have. He sounds as good today as he did twenty years ago. George can still tear your heart out with his songs as no other can. As long as "the possum" keeps recording, I'll keep buying the albums. The music industry thinks it knows what the young fans of today want, but I'm 27 and only listen the "real country", the classics. Country music has forgotten it's roots, including most of the artists that made it. Hopefully they'll listen to the fans and bring back the "good" country music. George is the king!

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.

Great album by the BEST! Country music in general has went down the toilet,but Ol'Possum keeps doing it right! I can't choose just one good song because they're all damn good.Ol'George can bend those notes better than ever and amazingly the tone of his voice seems to improve with age. I wish the corporate morons in Nashville would wake up and realize that a lot of us don't like the mushy,pop-influenced garbage that they call "country music". BUY THIS! YOU WON'T BE SORRY! WAY TO GO POSSUM!

i first saw george in 1954 at a small honky tonk in nederland texas, he was playing for the kitty collection at that time. no one knew of george at that but after i heard him sing i told everone i saw that he wouldbe a star some day and boy what a star he became---i have heard a lot of country artist in my seventy years and not one can present a song in such great voice and style. there will n ever be anothe george jones. may god bless him.

Living in the UK you don't get to hear very much Country music so you can't really call me a fan, however on a recent webb interview Lenoard Cohen he happened to mention he has presently been listening and enjoying this album so I to lent an ear and what a brillant album.

The deep texture of the voice is wonderful and the quality of the recording is exceptional. I take it this is real Country and if this is real Country I like it.

Best Wishes to all Lenoard Cohen fans and also of course now George Jones fans.

kettering fc (the finest team in the Dr Matrins league)

This is, by far, one of the best albums George has put out in a long time. Why does country (so-called anyway) radio ignore this man? Beside greats Hank, Sr. & Roy Acuff, this man epitomizes what country music truly is. The self describing "Choices" is not only one of the best Jones tunes to come out in years, but is one of the best tunes to come out of country period in a long time. This is a must have for any George Jones fan.

I've been a George Jones fan since high school in the 50s. He keeps getting better with each album and has done it again with 'Cold Hard Truth.' He could have written 'Choices' but could not have sung it with more conviction. With luck and with God and Nancy's help we'll have George around for a long time and hear more of his music. It is hard to imagine a better album that "Cold Hard Truth" however.