Cup of Loneliness: The Classic Mercury Years

George Jones

Product Details

• Audio CD (October 18, 1994)
• Original Release Date: October 18, 1994
• Number of Discs: 2
• Label: Polygram Records
• ASIN: B000001E4N
• Also Available in: Audio CD  |  Audio Cassette
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (8 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #86,283 in Music (See Bestsellers in Music)

Track Listings

Disc: 1

1. No Money in This Deal

2. Why Baby Why

3. Seasons of My Heart

4. I'm Ragged But I'm Right

5. Just One More

6. Don't Stop the Music

7. Too Much Water

8. Flame in My Heart

9. Hearts in My Dreams

10. Tall Tall Trees

See all 24 tracks on this disc

Disc: 2

1. Big Harlan Taylor

2. Everything Ain't Right

3. Relief Is Just a Swallow Away

4. Talk to Me Lonesome Heart

5. Accidentally on Purpose

6. Last Town I Painted

7. Your Old Standby

8. What'cha Gonna Do?

9. You Better Treat Your Man Right

10. Out of Control

See all 24 tracks on this disc

Editorial Reviews

Amazon.com essential recording

Possum's Mercury years--1953 to 1961--are his least celebrated, but his most rewarding. Over the barest and purest of honky-tonk arrangements, Jones can be heard developing the vocal style that would eventually separate him from mere country music mortals. Only toward the end of the era, on 1961's number one original hit "Tender Years," does his unmatched balladry truly emerge, sounding light years away from the Hank Sr. tendencies and rockabilly forays of the previous decade. Still, to witness the transformation is fascinating, and the material is uniformly excellent. Fans of Jones's countrypolitan stylings will be amazed by the sheer force of these bare-wire honky-tonk classics. --Marc Greilsamer

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

12 of 12 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars George Jones changed the way Nasville sings, February 11, 1999

By A Customer

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.

10 of 10 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars The start of a long and distinguished career, February 1, 2003

By	Peter Durward Harris "Pete the music fan" (Leicester England) - See all my reviews (TOP 10 REVIEWER)    (REAL NAME)

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.

5 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars I HATE doing this, June 11, 2005

By	M. Allen Wiser-amos "m_allen_ky" (Louisville, Kentucky United States) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

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.