Customer Reviews

I Am What I Am

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This recording is perhaps the single greatest refutation to the oft repeated canard that singer-songwriters are inherently superior to those who sing the songs of others. As the liner notes say, "George Jones is the Sinatra of Country music," and this is perhaps the greatest testament to his mastery. Jones might just as well have written each of the ten originals and four bonus tracks. He possesses the lyrics with a soul baring ache that brings his storied personal scars to the microphone. And all of this despite the 1980 trappings of leisure suits, scary hair and the Nashville Sound.

While considered a come-back after a period of relative chart inactivity, this is clearly the product of Jones' incubation of both his talent and his troubles. His years on the road provided him with a mastery of his voice, and his personal and domestic problems provided the emotional fuel. From the stellar lead single "He Stopped Loving Her Today," through heart-wrenching ballads like "I've Aged Twenty Years in Five" and "If Drinkin' Don't Kill Me (Her Memory Will)" to upbeat tunes like "A Hard Act to Follow" and "Bone Dry," Jones doesn't falter for a second. He attaches himself to every word, and leaves the listener hanging on to every emotional turn.

Billy Sherrill tempers his normal Countrypolitan excesses, and though the production has many of the typical Nashville 80s touches, it stays mostly in support of Jones' singing. And a few touches, like the layering of background harmonies and the Spectorian swell of strings on "He Stopped Loving Her Today" are positively breathtaking.

One of the greatest records from one of the greatest voices ever to sing. Augmented by four bonus tracks, each of which measure up to the original ten. 'Nuff said.

This album, released in 1980, marked the return of George Jones. At least artistically. The album became one of his biggest and most successful. Jones gives a good performance throughout that is restrained, but strong. The album spawned three big hits. "He Stopped Loving Her Today", which in my opinion is a great country song and one of his best and most moving hits. "I'm Not Ready Yet" and "If Drinkin' Don't Kill Me (Her Memory Will)" were the other hits from teh album. The remaining tracks are exceptionally strong, without a weak track in the bunch. The songs are simple, direct, and emotionally powerful, even with the smooth production. This album is the sound of George Jones at his peak and it's the highlight of his later years. The album also features 4 bonus tracks.

The GREATEST country singer, made the GREATEST country album in 1980. And now re-released it is MY favorite country Album. Modern country can't touch this album. This goes back to when Country music WAS country music, the same country music George Jones sings today!! He stopped loving her today, I've aged Twenty years in five, His lovin' her is gettin' in my way, and Bone Dry are the Raw testimony of George Jones. Though he may not have written all the songs on the album, He may as well have. Because he has been through it, he lived every word in every song!! GEORGE JONES is REAL COUNTRY!!

The Possum re-emerged in 1987 with this instant masterpiece of new material done in his inimitable fashion. Along with everyone's favorite, "He Stopped Loving Her Today", there are at least 3 other masterpieces in this collection (a lot for any single collection, by the way). "I've Aged 20 Years in 5", If Drinkin' Don't Kill Me", and my personal favorite "I'm Not Ready Yet". Overall, a very strong offering from an all-time great.

What a pleasant surprise! The best country album of the 80s re-released with 4 unreleased tracks! "I Am What I am" is pure George Jones, "He stopped Loving her Today" is country music's song of the century, (Sorry Hank sr.) if you should own one George Jones Cd, this is a must! Every song is pure magic, and the remastered sound is an added bonus, and if you listen carefully, "The Possum" does sound tipsy on many tracks. No matter, tipsy back in 1980, or sober in 2000, no one can match the brilliance of country music's finest vocalist GEORGE JONES. He lives and breathes every song on this CLASSIC album. A must for anyone who loves country music!

At the time George recorded this album, he was going through a particularly bad time personally, but as sometimes happens in such case, it seemed to inspire him musically.

The set opens with He stopped loving her today, one of George's most famous songs, about a man who loved a woman until he died even though she had long since left him - but she came to the funeral. This song sets the tone of much of the album, as you can sense from the song titles - the next three songs are I've aged twenty years in five, Brother to the blues and If drinking don't kill me her memory will.

I'm not ready yet, a song written by the great storyteller Tom T Hall, is another classic in the same vein. I don't think of Tom T Hall as a likely source of songs for George - their music is normally so different - but this particular song is exactly right for George.

To lighten things a little, George includes a superb solo cover of Good hearted woman, the classic Waylon and Willie outlaw song. A hard act to follow and Bone dry continue the lighter mood. The other tracks here are all wonderful including four bonus tracks recorded around the time of the main album make this CD even better value.

For any true George Jones fan, this CD is a classic

im not gonna type my heart out telling you about George jones he is a icon and leaving legend in country music he is the best!

cd is in great shape and plays like new. case and art work are good too.

I THINK GEORGE'S SONGS SAY IT ALL.I LOVE TO HERE HIM SING.HIS VOICE IS THE BEST I'VE EVER HEARD.HE REALLY PUTS ALL HE HAS INTO IT.I GUESS YOU CAN SAY HE'S MY FAVORITE.MY HUSBAND AND I WOULD ALWAYS SLOW DANCE TO, HE STOPPED LOVING HER TODAY,AND THAT WAS ALWAYS OUR SONG.NOW AFTER 17 YEARS TOGETHER,GUESS WHAT? IT STILL IS.SO THANKS GEORGE FOR THE MEMORIES THAT WE'LL ALWAYS HAVE.