The Grand Tour

1974 was a hell of a year for George Jones creatively, with one of his finest Epic records, The Grand Tour, being issued that year. Jones' partnership with producer Billy Sherrill saw some of its finest fruit here. The Grand Tour was a watershed for Jones, boasting the title track as one of the most devastating country singles ever issued that came so close to crossing over it was being played on some adult pop stations along with Sinatra, Bennett, Dionne Warwick, and Herb Alpert. Ironically, one of the co-authors of the tune was none other than Jones' about-to-be-ex-wife Tammy Wynette's future husband George Richey. If ever there were a song that cut too close to home for the singer it was this one. Sherrill worked his most creative magic over it, with a string section that only revealed the size of itself when he wasn't singing and filled in between the guitars, piano, and pedal steel during the sung lines. Jones poured his heart into every syllable and its chilling quality after almost 30 years attests to this. But this cut was only the beginning. "Pass Me By (If You're Only Passing Through)" with the Jordanaires is one of those haunting, mid-tempo honky tonk love songs that won't let go after the first chorus has been sung. As ballads go, "She'll Love the One She's With" by Hank Cochran and Grady Martin is one of those jealous country waltzes where obsession and love continually cross each other. Shored up by a small string orchestra and a pedal steel cascading through the vocal lines, it's wrenching and poetic. Johnny Paycheck's classic ballad "Once You've Had the Best" is done poetic and musical justice by Jones and Sherrill; in fact, this version blows away the author's. And in a nod to both Bakersfield and Jones' "Thumper" period, "The Weatherman" is a honky tonk stomper also partially authored by Richey and it sounds as if it were written just for this session; coming in the middle of a host of broken love songs, this is an optimistic, even giddy tune with a Mickey Raphael harmonica solo and a Don Rich sound-alike guitar break in the middle. Ultimately, this is Jones' country, the kind of country music that is pure yet as sophisticated as Sherrill wanted it to be. Chet Atkins and all of his countrypolitan productions never had anything on Sherrill, and with the greatest singer in the music's history as part of the team, combined with a collection of absolutely staggering songs (only I Am What I Am rivals it), this is one of the finest country records of the '70s and perhaps in the top 100 of all time.

This is a comfy album that's great with morning coffee (or an evening drink). Just the right amount of country drawl and simple strumming makes Jones a solid artist for his time. Not much of a country guy here, but if I can enjoy a country album then the name on the front must be pretty damn good.

The Platonic ideal of a 70s country album

You give one country record a good review and 4 albums later, you get another. I see you random album generator. Like most other Country records, the pedal steel on this record is what kept me invested, but it’s well established that I’m not a country fan, so that only takes it so far. Three stars, mostly because I really like the pedal steel as an instrument. Without a doubt, the coolest part of country music. I can not reiterate it enough, the pedal steel is the best and most interesting part of country music. Add that to my list of epitaphs.

Not as fun as the coke-addled stories of his career might've hinted at.

one of the great country voices

Very nice. George Jones’s voice is the epitome of old country crooning and I’m here for it. This album makes me want to be on the road by myself with all the windows down, driving across the desert.

That’s good old country

😫

If I like this album, am I white trash?

There's something about this album that I find very comforting. Maybe it's the simplicity of the lyrics where it seems that all there is to life is love and heartbreak. (Maybe that is all there is...) Maybe it's the resonance of the deep voice singing back-up that reminds me of my dad singing hymns next to me in church. It just feels restful and good.

no, just no

I'm developing a soft spot for old-school country. What a voice.

Epitome of a classic Country record. George may be the best voice to ever record Country Music and his arrangements allow his voice to evolve to a godly state. As a full album, this set of songs is overshadowed by The Grand Tour and a couple other solid songs whereas the rest sometimes drop into the background. Stand Outs: The Grand Tour, Once You've Had the Best, Who Will I Be Loving Now

The worst.

Mislila sam da necu stici poslusat album jer imam 4 ispita idući tjedan ali rekoh ajde za pauzu malo a i nisam zadnjih par poslušala. Kad ono holy shit. Album mi je bio ko topla ruka koja ti izvadi srce i miluje ga na suncu dok ti gledaš i uživaš.

Sad divorced christian cowboy :(

The Grand Tour and Once You've Had The Best WRECKED my heart

So this album made one thing abundantly clear to me: I REALLY HATE STEEL GUITAR. The first couple of tracks are heavy on the slide steel and I was in misery. Then it got to Pass Me By and She'll Love the One She's With and... I didn't hate 'em. In fact, I kinda liked 'em. In fact, about half the album is pretty alright. The other half, however, is like fingernails on a chalkboard. I was fully prepared to give this one star after song one. But the good songs brought the score up. Also, even though it's 11 songs, the album is only 28 minutes long. So, an extra star for brevity.

Sappy old drunk, he sang the same song 11 different ways on this album. It gets old fast. But he does have a nice voice.

I feel like this was old people music even when it came out. One of the lamest, most boring albums I have ever heard.

Really enjoyed this. Maybe because I don't listen to much country music all the songs were enjoyable

Good lyrics can make you think, but really good lyrics can make you feel. It’s remarkable how these lyrics percolate directly into your heart, with no impedance from understanding. Beautiful in its simplicity, beautiful in its execution.

Great

wow. this is an incredible album, where everything just fits perfectly. emotionally it’s exactly what i didn’t know i needed. gonna be listening to this a lot, and for a while

Just fantastic classic country. I've always been a fan of George & his voice. 5 stars.

George Jones made a legacy out of being down BAD and I think that’s great

Great record

Step right up, and meet the best friend a song ever had. The reason names like Elvis and Sinatra and Linda Ronstadt and Aretha Franklin are so iconic is due to their unique ability to take a song and make it all their own. George Jones is on that list, at or near the top in the world of country music. Take the title track alone here. The Ol' Possum didn't write it, but the way he sells it, you can't help but believe he's singing about Tammy Wynette. It's almost like he himself wrote it about her. That song alone puts the album on this list, as it's one of the greatest performances in country music history. No Show Jones was known more for his hit songs than his albums, and he'd be better represented here with a compilation of his best songs over his lengthy, remarkable career. But you can't have a list like this without including George Jones. Anyone unfamiliar with Jones should go on a deep dive. Read all about George and Tammy. Enjoy the stories about Jones riding a lawnmower to a liquor store because his wife hid his car keys. Go watch his fucking memorial service, where anyone and everyone came to perform and pay final respects to one of the genre's greatest voices. Listen to all of his hits, especially He Stopped Loving Her Today. Take the grand tour.

Funky and fun

Steel guitar is easy to love, and there's little else consistently accompanying Jones's voice. I usually let context inform my impressions but do my best to hide it from these notes. Not so here: There's something about the opening track, closing track, the marriage. Beyond words, but I read it and then heard it.

Peak 1970s Nashville Country Music. No notes.

He was a king of the genre. So much emotion. Nobody could sing a sad song like.

Great, almost honky tonk, country

The King of love and heartache.

Będzie 5, idealny album na powolne majowe poranki

A really sweet album. Was not a fan of country music until I started on this must listen album generator. Wouldn't say i was an actual fan but I have gained a greater appreciation for the genre. The songs are so simple in construction on this album, or that's how it seems. Each song has its own little story which is another thing about country music. Really liked it

Damn fine album! You can’t beat The Possum.

George Jones is a big part of my dad's musical tastes from ever since I could remember. But I hadn't really gotten into his music like I have artists like Willie Nelson, Kenny Rogers, Waylon Jennings, and many others. I don't recall ever hearing this album. Even so I knew going in this would be good. Really good. This is some really great 70s country that seems like it set the standard for what we think of when we think of country. Heartbreak abounds, but it seems to always be respectful. From the sad opening title track to the candid conversation from a star to his fans as the album closes ("Our Private Life"), this is a deeply moving and personal album that happens to also be a fantastic listen. I loved it and expect that George Jones is now a staple of my musical diet.

I never really listened much to George Jones until I watched the Ken Burns Country Music documentary. He was a pretty amazing guy. And understanding the context of this album around his marriage and career I think is really necessary to completely appreciate it. It’s a sad album but also a great one.

I enjoyed all of the songs. They gave a coming of age indie film vibe. Favorite song from the album is Father and Son as Marvel is my whole personality and it's played at Yondu's funeral in Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 2.

All time country great!! I’m sure there will be more of his albums on this list!

Gut reaction was what is this slow, boring stuff but I gave it a second listen. This is sort of a concept album isn't it? not sure why the title track was a single or why people liked it. It serves a storytelling purpose but it is not enjoyable to listen to. Still, i'm enjoying learning more about Country.

A perfect country album.

I don’t know if Jones is underrated in the greater conversation of country music history, but the man has got to be one of the finest country vocalists of all time. And this album is a wonderful example of what mainstream, fine country music should be. Takes of heartbreak and loneliness, interwoven into a beautiful orchestration that you really feel for. Eat a dick Morgan Wallen.

This album wasn’t available on Amazon, so I listened to his Superhits albums Vol. 1 & 2. Powerful lyrics and great delivery. Jones is a country legend for good reason.

Never been a Country music fan, but this is really good. I enjoyed it very much.

Great tear in your beer country.

A beautiful, tragic and simple 28-minute journey of pure sublimity. Fully entering my honk tonk era with this one and I’m not even almost sorry.

Never heard before. great album

Music that tells stories.

I am back in the 80s at my Grandparent's house just waking up from my sleep over and having some horribly unhealthy breakfast in a cigarette smoke filled house with this playing on the stereo

Ive never heard of this. I loved this. Pure country that just sounds great. Love it.

The GOAT. Rates 5 stars just on The Grand Tour alone.

I am so happy listening to this !! I'm just hyped to have a country album but also I really like this and think its great and an excellent pick for the list. like this is one of those albums where I listen and I so so get it when people are like oh yeah the modern day trashy pop country is so booty, I mean I don't even think the genres are that comparable at this point, like I enjoy a song about beer/whiskey, mamas, n trucks as much as the next gal, but the lack of beer/whiskey, mamas n trucks is noted and appreciated, anyways 9.5/10

While this is not Leonard Cohen's Souvenir of the Grand Tour (which sounds like a good time to be had), George Jones' The Grand Tour is a really stellar showcase of what this country crooner had to offer. For this is George in this element; give him a song about a lost love or a soon-to-be lost love and you're bound to hear some of the most heart-wrenching performances you may very well here. Even if things don't change over the course of twenty-eight minutes, it is twenty-eight minutes well spent and a solid glimpse of what one of country's finest legends was all about.

The Possum - Need I say more? The album was absolutely perfect for the day I received it to listen to, so add one star for that!

The voice, the production, the performances, the lyrics, it's a perfect country album.

Thank you 1001 for pointing out yet another country artist I've slept on for far too long. My soft spot for 60s and 70s country continues to grow. The title track is a gut punch!

This is some high quality Country music. I miss when this is what Country referred to instead of small town this, 9/11 that. The Grand Tour and Our Private Life are specific highlights. It's short, sweet, and packed with a deeply emotional baritone.

I liked this because I am a cowboy

I still love this type of bluesy country and I have no complaints about this album's contribution to that genre. She'll love the one shes with was a standout for me.

Sweet

This is a great country album. It’s simple approach to each song, short run time, great production, vocals and harmonies, and easy to participate in lyrics.

I just came off reviewing a 2 hour long Smashing Pumpkins album, so this album was a delight. It's crisp, concise and flawlessly rendered. The album has everything you want in a George Jones album, that affecting vocal, the gorgeous guitars, the lyrics that are a total mood. It's a pretty perfect country album. Fave Songs: The Grand Tour, Borrowed Angel, Darlin', Who Will I Be Loving Now, Once You've Had the Best, Pass Me By (If You're Only Passing Through)

This is a great album. George Jones' voice is one of the greatest in country music and the instrumentation here complements it perfectly especially the pedal steel. The lyrics mostly deal with heartbreak told from the point of view of someone who is almost pathologically in love with someone who treats them wrong. It lends a sense of unease to an otherwise straightforward album.

I liked it. It had a good mix of slower and upbeat songs. The 29 minute length does leave a bit more to be desired however.

I dig this! Country is the OG emo

Whenever I say I don’t like country I have to add a lot of exceptions. George Jones is another one. I like his voice, the musicians are always top shelf, and shucks, I guess there’s just something’ appealin’ about a sappy song ‘bout a broken heart.

Good, even great, country.

I suspect reviewers on this site will not be kind towards 1970s sad sack country, but I like this sort of thing. I prefer older country but this was pretty good. I like "The Weatherman" the most. Probably more of a 3.5 but I'm rounding up.

Such a comfortable listen. Just warm and soothing, like being at grandma's house.

Apparently a big fan of country music now… smooth as a baby’s ass thank you George

Most country since about the late 80's is garbage but I do like the classic artists. I've only listen to compilation albums by George Jones before, so wasn't sure if I was going to enjoy this deep dive as much. This was really good, so much so I listen to it twice.

4.5

Well that’s a bummer.

Not badd

cry about it, why dont ya

Beautiful country music. I love the old stuff. Worth considering for a vinyl.

country

This is the country I remember growing up in the early 70’s in SC.

7/10 just fun goofy country nothing special but still enjoyable

Liked this album a lot. Again, don't listen to much country but this had nice melodies and lyrics.

George has a cool voice and a lot of great tunes here. The title track is the stuff you think of when you think of classic country. Very clean production and overall a joy to listen to.

Still the greatest voice in country. Hooch and heartbreak.

Nice nostalgic memories of this guy playing from my Nan’s kitchen radio. Overall a pretty alright album.

Classic country and a great voice.

Solid old school country!

Quality country music. George has a great voice and the songs are pretty fantastic. It's just not a 5 to me for some reason. A very strong 4 though.

Never heard of this one, which is nice. Country! The grand tour; absolute standard country. I quite like it, but maybe will get bored. Darlin' - slow, lovely weepy guitars. pass me by: again, lovely guitar sound. she'll love the one she's with: slow but pretty. once you've had the best weatherman: borrowed angel: quite like this, but still very trad. she told me so: sad chords mary don't go 'round: who will I be loving now: too slow our private live: has a 'cartoon' feel to it. I liked it more than i'd like to admit!

Again, not really my genre, but mad respect for these classic country artists. They were "real" country storytellers and singer/songwriters.

I don't like modern country, but I do like the older country. This album is pretty great!

I actually really enjoyed this. I may be a secret Country music fan afterall.

The title song alone for George Jones', The Grand Tour, is just perfect and is why I think country song writers are America's best poets. Love lost sucks.

When someone asks if I like country, this is what I like

I could listen to this all day. In fact, I pretty much did.

A touch too close to modern commercial sounding country, but it does still have an authenticity that strikes me.

A very surprising 4/5! This album was like seeing your long lost family. It brought up feelings of nostalgia for old "pop-country". I love the use of slide guitar, and I can see how 80s and 90s country was drastically changed due to George Jones. Best Songs: The Grand Tour, Pass Me By, Mary Don't Go Round, Our Private Life Worst Songs: Darlin', She'll Love the One She's With

Real Country

The Silver Fox !!! Love his songs and unique sound!