Jones Sings Haggard, Haggard Sings Jones: Kickin' Out the Footlights... Again

George Jones, Merle Haggard

Product Details

• Audio CD (October 24, 2006)
• Original Release Date: October 24, 2006
• Number of Discs: 1
• Label: Bandit Records
• ASIN: B000HIVQ7Q
• Average Customer Review: 4.7 out of 5 stars See all reviews (24 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #21,411 in Music (See Bestsellers in Music)

Editorial Reviews

Amazon.com
Nearly 25 years after their last album together (1982's A Taste of Yesterday's Wine), the Possum and the Hag reunite... with a twist. This time, they sing each other's songs. The conceit can be dangerous unless you're playing it for laughs, e.g., Frank Sinatra and Elvis Presley on the former's 1960 television special. But though Jones puts more emotion into interpreting Haggard's songs than Hag reciprocates, these two old legends manage to pull it off. And with the help of producer Keith Stegall (Alan Jackson), they keep the music solid, too, spotlighting steel guitar great Norm Hamlet and celebrated piano sideman Pigg Robbins, who played on many of their original recordings. Jones particularly shines on "The Way I Am," and Haggard proves sublime on "I Always Get Lucky with You." Where the album really lights up, however, is on the duo's pocketful of duets, starting with a poignant and intensely resonant rendition of Haggard's classic aging-musician ballad, "Footlights." Surprisingly, the repertoire never seems tired, and there's a surprise around every corner: Rhonda Vincent adding splendid harmonies on Haggard's new "Born to the Blues" and Jones turning transcendent on a confessional line about being "crazy and lonely." Just as these ragged masters take their leave, they put a little more Western in Duke Ellington's swing ("Don't Get Around Much Anymore"), filling in the middle with a warm, nostalgic banter that reminds listeners just how much these two have seen and done. Who knew hard-luck autobiography could sound so exquisite? --Alanna Nash

Product Description
On this disc the two country music icons take turns singing the other's hit songs. On four songs they team up on duets. The end result is an historic recording enhanced with stellar production by Keith Stegall and an all-star band.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

23 of 23 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Put the two greatest country singers together..., October 24, 2006

By	DanD - See all my reviews (TOP 500 REVIEWER)

George Jones. Merle Haggard. Singing each others' songs, plus an occasional spirited duet. I mean, really, what's the point of reading this review--you know you're gonna buy the damn album anyways.

Needless to say, this is probably one of the best records to come out this year. The Possum and the Hag are good friends--their friendship being one of mutual respect and recognition. Both are talented individuals (the word "talent" really isn't powerful enough), and both have seen some hard times in their hard lives. You can hear it in their songs--and on this album, they get to sing songs the other made a hit. I'd give you a list of highlites, but the entire album is worth repeated listening, so it's kind of pointless. From the opening (and somewhat depressing) "Footlights" to the closing "Don't Get Aroud Much anymore" (with Haggard and Jones breaking into fits of bemused friendly laughter, plus the wry joke here and there), this album is a classic. Buy it; just buy it. If you love country music, then by God buy this album. THIS is what country music really is--THIS is what God intended country music to be. Or maybe the devil...Whoever it was, they had damn good taste in music.

23 of 24 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Last men standing, November 2, 2006

By	John Gervickas (Cape Coral, Florida United States) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

I'm borrowing from the new Jerry Lee CD for the title of my review, because the best two CD's I've purchased in a while are the Killer, and this one featuring the two greatest country singers of all time (sorry Hank and Lefty!). I was intrigued (and a little worried) when I heard about this CD (and the concept behind it). With Jones being 75 years old, and having significant vocal problems in recent years, and Merle almost 70 trying to sing songs associated with a man that just cannot be outsung - the possibility of a very disappointing disc was certainly a possibility. My fears were somewhat realized in regards to George. He certainly puts everything he has left into his covers of Hag tunes, but much of his range is absent on this disc (I've read that he has been having bad allergy problems, which affected him on these recordings). Notice the difference on "Don't get around much anymore", which is from a different session recorded at Hag's studio. You can hear the low end of Jones' voice, missing on the other cuts. On the other hand (much as he did on "Roots"), Hag reaches for notes he hadn't hit in years - and rivals Jones' originals on "Window up above", "Things have gone to pieces", and even "The race is on". For a almost 70-year old Merle to even come close to a very young George on those cuts is incredible. The song selection is mostly good, if not a bit predictable. Merle covers George covering him on "I always get lucky with you", and I would rather have heard George on "I threw away the rose" or "Swinging doors" than on "Sing me back home" (a song that is just to personal to resonate by another artist, IMO). George could have nailed "The way I am" and "Strangers" in his prime, but these versions are still pretty good. He puts a lot of heart into "You take me for granted", which I think is better suited to him than it was for Merle. The duets are excellent, particularly "Born with the blues". This is my favorite cut on the disc, showing that Hag's pen hasn't dried up yet. It is quite autobiographical, and both men sing thier hearts out. I hate to nitpick about anything on here, because it still absolutely blows away anything else that any of the pretenders are doing in the guise of "real country" these days. I guarantee you we won't be listening to Tim and Toby dueting in 2035!(at least I hope not!). The dialogue in the middle of "Don't get around much anymore" is worth the price of the disc (if you know the stories behind the commentary). Buy it up, folks. (get the Jerry Lee, too). It won't be long before all of the true legends are gone. Thanks again to the Hag and Possum!

12 of 12 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars The Best CD in Years, October 26, 2006

By	J. Robson (Middleton, WI) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

Got my hands on this CD the day it was released and have played it over and over and...It's been about 25 years since George and Merle did a CD together. Their last one was good, this one is great.

I've listened to George and Merle and been to their shows for about 40 years so I know their songs very well. It takes a little getting used to when you hear Merle sing The Race Is On and George sing I Think I'll Just Stay Here and Drink.The first couple of times I played the Cd I would know which song it was after a couple of chords but the wrong guy was singing. It was great hearing the subtle differences in how they do songs made hits by each other. The duets are great too. You can tell they are having fun. I'd love to see a DVD of the recording sessions.

I have a lot of country music, real country music, and this CD goes in to the top tier of my collection. Any fan of real country will love this Cd.

In the last song Merle says "George we gotta get back on the radio". I hope some of the idiots running so called country stations have sense enough to play the songs from this CD.

I saw George at a show a few months ago and he told the audience that he and Merle are trying to put a tour together for 2007-I sure hope they get it done.