Rock Bands & Pop Stars
George Jones Pictures
Artist:
George Jones
Origin:
United States, Beaumont - TexasUnited States
Born date:
September 12, 1931
Death date:
April 26, 2013
George Jones Album: «I Am What I Am»
George Jones Album: «I Am What I Am» (Front side)
    Album information
  • Customers rating: (5.0 of 5)
  • Title:I Am What I Am
  • Release date:
  • Type:Audio CD
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Customers rating
Track listing
Review - Amazon.com
In or out of context, George Jones's "comeback" album of 1980 is an unassailable classic of modern country music. Since 1975, Jones's solo career had been in a tailspin, taking him to the Top 10 only twice in four years, so that by late 1979, he had soused and doped his body from 150 to 100 pounds. He might have died, were it not for the musical and commercial resurrection of I Am What I Am. Produced by Billy Sherrill, the sound is stunningly advanced, full of complex, layered guitar tones, exquisitely placed harmonies, and an elegant melding of lyrical spaciousness and hard honky-tonk. Opening with perhaps the greatest country single ever, "He Stopped Loving Her Today," Jones lends both a regal authority and a humble sorrow to lyric after lyric, all uniformly graceful and stately. The only weak track is "His Lovin' Her Is Gettin' in My Way," an anticipation of the cloying bounce of Hot Country, though even that slight number is redeemed by Jones's underrated comic gifts. This 2000 reissue includes a wise essay by Glenn Gass, a personal reflection by the Possum himself, and four previously unreleased cuts, all of which are as memorable as the haunting, original recordings themselves. Essential doesn't begin to describe the treasures you'll find here. --Roy Kasten
Customer review
14 of 15 people found the following review helpful:
- Splendid reissue of one of Country's greatest LPs

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.

Customer review
4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:
- George Jones' Come back album Came back again!!

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!!

Customer review
3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:
- The 80s album of the Decade!

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!

Customer review
2 of 3 people found the following review helpful:
- Pure George!

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

Customer review
- AWESOME

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!