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George Jones|Cold Hard Truth

Cold Hard Truth

George Jones

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Touted as George Jones' return to hardcore country, Cold Hard Truth -- the Possum's first record for the revitalized Asylum Records -- certainly does achieve that goal. Under the guidance of producer Keith Stegall, Jones returns to the sound of his classic Mercury and UA recordings, meaning that there's nothing but honky tonk ballads and ravers throughout. Impressively, Stegall made sure that Jones didn't take the easy way out: there are no covers or superstar duets, just strong new songs. And, unlike almost any of Jones' previous albums, there's not a single novelty or throwaway. In short, it's the album hardcore fans have said they've always wanted Jones to make. Like most realized fantasies, Cold Hard Truth doesn't quite live up to the imagination, yet it still delivers enough that it isn't a disappointment. Much of the credit must be given to Stegall; his production may be a bit too clean and echo-laden, but he made a wise move in adhering to simple, traditional instrumentation and guiding Jones toward a great set of songs. George sounds terrific, not necessarily better than on his latter-day MCA records, but the strength of the material makes it seem so. For all of its virtues, there's a curious distance on Cold Hard Truth, possibly because it's too careful in both its song selection, and there's no grit in the production. Silly songs and rushed performances always gave Jones' albums character, and it's hard not to miss that reckless spirit on Cold Hard Truth, no matter how good the music is. But ultimately, such complaints amount to nitpicking. There's little question that Cold Hard Truth boasts the finest set of songs Jones has had in nearly two decades, and he delivers the performances they deserve. It's refreshing to finally hear a Jones album that holds up from beginning to end.

© Stephen Thomas Erlewine /TiVo

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Cold Hard Truth

George Jones

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1
Choices
00:03:26

Stuart Duncan, Violin - Billy Yates, Writer - Keith Stegall, Producer - Mike Curtis, Writer - Hargus "Pig" Robbins, Piano - Paul Franklin, Pedal Steel Guitar - Brent Mason, Electric Guitar - Vince Gill, Backing Vocals - Glenn Worf, Bass Guitar - Eddie Bayers, Drums - GEORGE JONES, Vocals, MainArtist - Owen Hale, Drums - John Wesley Ryles, Backing Vocals - Patty Loveless, Backing Vocals - Bruce Watkins, Acoustic Guitar - Evelyn Shriver, ExecutiveProducer - Larry Marris, Backing Vocals

© 1999 Elektra Entertainment ℗ 1999 Asylum Records

2
The Cold Hard Truth
00:04:08

Stuart Duncan, Violin - Jamie O'Hara, Writer - Keith Stegall, Producer - Hargus "Pig" Robbins, Piano - Paul Franklin, Pedal Steel Guitar - Brent Mason, Electric Guitar - Vince Gill, Backing Vocals - Glenn Worf, Bass Guitar - Eddie Bayers, Drums - GEORGE JONES, Vocals, MainArtist - Owen Hale, Drums - John Wesley Ryles, Backing Vocals - Patty Loveless, Backing Vocals - Bruce Watkins, Acoustic Guitar - Evelyn Shriver, ExecutiveProducer - Larry Marris, Backing Vocals

© 1999 Elektra Entertainment ℗ 1999 Elektra Entertainment

3
Sinners & Saints
00:02:29

Stuart Duncan, Violin - J.B. Rudd, Writer - Keith Stegall, Producer - Vip Vipperman, Writer - Hargus "Pig" Robbins, Piano - Paul Franklin, Pedal Steel Guitar - Brent Mason, Electric Guitar - Vince Gill, Backing Vocals - Glenn Worf, Bass Guitar - Eddie Bayers, Drums - DARRYL WORLEY, Writer - GEORGE JONES, Vocals, MainArtist - Owen Hale, Drums - John Wesley Ryles, Backing Vocals - Patty Loveless, Backing Vocals - Bruce Watkins, Acoustic Guitar - Evelyn Shriver, ExecutiveProducer - Larry Marris, Backing Vocals

© 1999 Elektra Entertainment ℗ 1999 Elektra Entertainment

4
Day After Forever
00:03:54

Max D. Barnes, Writer - Stuart Duncan, Violin - Keith Stegall, Producer - Hargus "Pig" Robbins, Piano - Paul Franklin, Pedal Steel Guitar - Brent Mason, Electric Guitar - Vince Gill, Backing Vocals - Glenn Worf, Bass Guitar - Eddie Bayers, Drums - GEORGE JONES, Vocals, MainArtist - Owen Hale, Drums - John Wesley Ryles, Backing Vocals - Patty Loveless, Backing Vocals - Bruce Watkins, Acoustic Guitar - Evelyn Shriver, ExecutiveProducer - Larry Marris, Backing Vocals

© 1999 Elektra Entertainment ℗ 1999 Elektra Entertainment

5
Ain't Love a Lot Like That
00:02:17

Stuart Duncan, Violin - Keith Stegall, Producer - Hargus "Pig" Robbins, Piano - Paul Franklin, Pedal Steel Guitar - Brent Mason, Electric Guitar - Vince Gill, Backing Vocals - Glenn Worf, Bass Guitar - Eddie Bayers, Drums - GEORGE JONES, Vocals, MainArtist - Owen Hale, Drums - Dean Miller, Writer - John Wesley Ryles, Backing Vocals - Patty Loveless, Backing Vocals - Bruce Watkins, Acoustic Guitar - MARK COLLIE, Writer - Evelyn Shriver, ExecutiveProducer - Larry Marris, Backing Vocals

© 1999 Elektra Entertainment ℗ 1999 Elektra Entertainment

6
Our Bed of Roses
00:04:12

Zack Turner, Writer - Stuart Duncan, Violin - Keith Stegall, Producer, Writer - Hargus "Pig" Robbins, Piano - Paul Franklin, Pedal Steel Guitar - Brent Mason, Electric Guitar - Vince Gill, Backing Vocals - Glenn Worf, Bass Guitar - Eddie Bayers, Drums - GEORGE JONES, Vocals, MainArtist - Owen Hale, Drums - John Wesley Ryles, Backing Vocals - Patty Loveless, Backing Vocals - Bruce Watkins, Acoustic Guitar - Evelyn Shriver, ExecutiveProducer - Larry Marris, Backing Vocals

© 1999 Elektra Entertainment ℗ 1999 Elektra Entertainment

7
Real Deal
00:03:25

Stuart Duncan, Violin - Keith Stegall, Producer - Keith Gattis, Writer - Hargus "Pig" Robbins, Piano - Paul Franklin, Pedal Steel Guitar - Brent Mason, Electric Guitar - Vince Gill, Backing Vocals - Glenn Worf, Bass Guitar - Eddie Bayers, Drums - GEORGE JONES, Vocals, MainArtist - Owen Hale, Drums - John Wesley Ryles, Backing Vocals - Patty Loveless, Backing Vocals - Bruce Watkins, Acoustic Guitar - Evelyn Shriver, ExecutiveProducer - Jim Dowell, Composer, Writer - Keiht Gattis, Composer - Larry Marris, Backing Vocals

© 1999 Elektra Entertainment ℗ 1999 Elektra Entertainment

8
This Wanting You
00:03:09

Stuart Duncan, Violin - Bruce Bouton, Writer - Bruce Burch, Writer - Keith Stegall, Producer - Hargus "Pig" Robbins, Piano - Paul Franklin, Pedal Steel Guitar - Brent Mason, Electric Guitar - Vince Gill, Backing Vocals - Glenn Worf, Bass Guitar - Eddie Bayers, Drums - GEORGE JONES, Vocals, MainArtist - Owen Hale, Drums - John Wesley Ryles, Backing Vocals - Patty Loveless, Backing Vocals - Bruce Watkins, Acoustic Guitar - T. Graham Brown, Writer - Evelyn Shriver, ExecutiveProducer - Larry Marris, Backing Vocals

© 1999 Elektra Entertainment ℗ 1999 Elektra Entertainment

9
You Never Know Just How Good You've Got It
00:03:29

Stuart Duncan, Violin - Mark Nesler, Writer - Keith Stegall, Producer - Hargus "Pig" Robbins, Piano - Paul Franklin, Pedal Steel Guitar - Brent Mason, Electric Guitar - Vince Gill, Backing Vocals - Glenn Worf, Bass Guitar - Eddie Bayers, Drums - GEORGE JONES, Vocals, MainArtist - Owen Hale, Drums - John Wesley Ryles, Backing Vocals - Patty Loveless, Backing Vocals - Bruce Watkins, Acoustic Guitar - Evelyn Shriver, ExecutiveProducer - Larry Marris, Backing Vocals

© 1999 Elektra Entertainment ℗ 1999 Elektra Entertainment

10
When the Last Curtain Falls
00:03:37

Jim Rushing, Writer - Stuart Duncan, Violin - Keith Stegall, Producer - Hargus "Pig" Robbins, Piano - Paul Franklin, Pedal Steel Guitar - Brent Mason, Electric Guitar - Vince Gill, Backing Vocals - Glenn Worf, Bass Guitar - Eddie Bayers, Drums - GEORGE JONES, Vocals, MainArtist - Owen Hale, Drums - John Wesley Ryles, Backing Vocals - Patty Loveless, Backing Vocals - Bruce Watkins, Acoustic Guitar - Evelyn Shriver, ExecutiveProducer - Emory Gordy Jr., Writer - Larry Marris, Backing Vocals

© 1999 Elektra Entertainment ℗ 1999 Elektra Entertainment

Album review

Touted as George Jones' return to hardcore country, Cold Hard Truth -- the Possum's first record for the revitalized Asylum Records -- certainly does achieve that goal. Under the guidance of producer Keith Stegall, Jones returns to the sound of his classic Mercury and UA recordings, meaning that there's nothing but honky tonk ballads and ravers throughout. Impressively, Stegall made sure that Jones didn't take the easy way out: there are no covers or superstar duets, just strong new songs. And, unlike almost any of Jones' previous albums, there's not a single novelty or throwaway. In short, it's the album hardcore fans have said they've always wanted Jones to make. Like most realized fantasies, Cold Hard Truth doesn't quite live up to the imagination, yet it still delivers enough that it isn't a disappointment. Much of the credit must be given to Stegall; his production may be a bit too clean and echo-laden, but he made a wise move in adhering to simple, traditional instrumentation and guiding Jones toward a great set of songs. George sounds terrific, not necessarily better than on his latter-day MCA records, but the strength of the material makes it seem so. For all of its virtues, there's a curious distance on Cold Hard Truth, possibly because it's too careful in both its song selection, and there's no grit in the production. Silly songs and rushed performances always gave Jones' albums character, and it's hard not to miss that reckless spirit on Cold Hard Truth, no matter how good the music is. But ultimately, such complaints amount to nitpicking. There's little question that Cold Hard Truth boasts the finest set of songs Jones has had in nearly two decades, and he delivers the performances they deserve. It's refreshing to finally hear a Jones album that holds up from beginning to end.

© Stephen Thomas Erlewine /TiVo

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