194. George Jones
The Grand Tour
This man didn't only have a pair of the largest (well-kept) sideburns of the seventies, but also one of the most mangled hearts if we're to believe this collection of songs.
A deep voice with a slow and steady delivery of the miseries of abandonment it's not as alcohol-soaked or bitter as Ray Price, even though there are several similar themes, but instead an ode to the man who lost and hopes to love again. All sung over very conservative country melodies.
The only self-penned song, and also one of only two (almost) upbeat tracks, is the closing Our Private Life, written together with his wife, and country star in her own right, Tammy Wynette (but their divorce was final just about a year later).
Half an hour of misery that feels kinda good.
