Customer Reviews

Cup Of Loneliness: The Classic Mercury Years

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This collection is your one-stop shop for George. Sinatra once called him the second best singer in America. Had I been George, I would have been mad at the slight. As a listener, you feel what he feels, and that is the ultimate compliment for a singer. Other than a few misguided attempts to cash in on the rock and roll craze, this album is a masterpiece of country music. The arrangements are always tight and the playing on it, especially the pedal steel, is other-worldly. George Jones is the real deal.

This collection begins with a rare 1953 recording that George made for Starday (No money in the bank) while the remaining 47 tracks within this collection showcase George's recordings from 1955 to 1961, during which time Mercury took over Starday. Most of George's greatest successes came later, but he made some great music for Starday and Mercury, and not just the hits.

Among the classic tracks here are Why baby why, Seasons of my heart, I'm ragged but I'm right, Tall tall trees, Color of the blues, White lightning, Who shot Sam, Accidentally on purpose, Window up above and Tender years. Many of these were hits on the American charts for George. Others have become classics via cover versions.

While George's songs have often been covered (and not just by other country singers), he recorded plenty of covers. Some are included here, including Nobody's lonesome for me (Hank Williams), Heartaches by the number (Guy Mitchell), I love you because (later covered by Jim Reeves, who had a huge British pop hit with it), I'll be there if you ever want me (Ray Price), If you've got the money (Lefty Frizzell) and Will the circle be unbroken.

This is the best collection of George's early recordings yet released. With 48 tracks, it will satisfy all but George's most fanatical devotees, remembering that this covers just the beginning of his career.

Nipping fast at the heels of Lefty Frizzell came young George Jones, whose first recordings in the mid-1950s had some of the sizzle of rockabilly, but were hard country all the way. It's hard to describe just how incredibly delicious this 2-CD set of his old stuff is. Recorded between 1954-61, these are some of the rawest, livliest, and yet most soulful honkytonk tunes ever burned into vinyl. Over the years, Jones became rightly known as country's greatest heartbreak balladeer, but these early uptempo tunes are also pretty amazing. This compilation is pure gold -- a true must-have collection!

George Jone's heart is like Bill Monroe's mandolin smashed into a thousand pieces and glued back together again. A voice thats never bitter just lonely and sapphire blue. Truly, the King of broken hearts. Highly recommended to the lonesome suffering few...because redemption is just a song away...better than the soundtrack to Annie!

i hate writing these short reviews, but the truth is this:

jones recorded a lot of great material, and a lot of mediocre material that was only good because of him. this set is a great collection of songs that are either great or are good and rendered great by george jones.

the song "You Better Treat Your Man Right" is reason enough to pay 20+ dollars for this.

Especially on CD 1. I think the first CD is almost perfect. I could easily have taped this CD from a friend who has it, but I'm about to buy it becasue I think it is totally worth the money!

If you like great singing voices, of almost any genre, "Cup of Loneliness" is not to be missed. I picked up a version of this 'Mercury Years' material about 20 years ago and it's one of those desert island discs that I just keep going back to. Songs about drinking, heartache, regret, feeling like a fool -- the real gritty Texas honky-tonk sound with lots of weeping steel guitar and perhaps the greatest male voice ever in country music. There are songs on here that I skip over, but many I absolutely love, especially "Color of the Blues."

Received product in good condition. Speedy delivery. Would most definately buy from this seller again