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.

😫

That’s good old country

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.

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.

no, just no

one of the great country voices

If I like this album, am I white trash?

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.

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

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

I don’t generally like country music, but this is objectively good, and at only 28 minutes it doesn’t overstay its welcome. I too read the review that called this "An exultant wallow in heartbreak" with Jones inhabiting songs "like an inmate on suicide watch." And I total agree with this assessment.

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

Classic 1974 country. Definitely a personal heartbreak album. Worth a listen

The worst.

I suggest reading the Wikipedia article about this guy. Incredible

Mercifully short

So this is the country music that I was expecting to find at some point, traditional, and truly awful. Thankfully, this is a short album, but it's also a real stinker.

it’s probably a 5 fuck it, it’s a 5

Love it

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.

Both kinds of music, Country AND Western. Thanks, I liked it

the comfiest i've ever felt in a country record. burrowed angel murdered me.

Sad divorced christian cowboy :(

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

The Grand Tour This is his 50th album! And he released 5 albums in a 4 month period in 1965, and released 6 albums in 1962. He seems to have settled into a more sedate rhythm by the time this was released, putting out just the 2 albums a year for most of the 70s. I imagine they are all interchangeable, but I think I’d probably enjoy them all interchangeably too, as he has a great, warm crooner-country voice, all backed up by skilled and sympathetic playing, and overall it hits a nice vein of cosy wistfulness, and it's done and dusted in under 30 minutes. It’s not hugely remarkable, and the songs don’t stray too far from the template, but it is very pleasant, and if I’m in the mood for some easy listening country I’d definitely reach for this, making it a solid to high 3. 🪽🪽🪽 Playlist submission: Borrowed Angel

This is a good country album but there’s nothing all that special about it in my opinion. Best thing I can say is it’s only 29 min long.

Good for what it is.

Couple interesting songs, maybe a bit too country for me

Not super into country but decent

I'm not sure if I've ever properly listened to a country album since it isn't at all popular where I live, but this was quite nice. It may be a bit too sappy for my taste, but I can see the appeal of this singer—he's a great vocalist whose tone matches the sound of the record perfectly. Strong 3.5 stars for me!

As far as country goes, this was pretty nice. “Cozy” is the first word that comes to mind. I wouldn’t go out of my way to listen again, but I did kind of like it. 3.5.

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.

Sounds just like any other Country music album. Not a fan, can't really have an objective view. 5/10

Love me some Possum

George Jones sang the saddest, heart grabbing Country tunes of all time. Musical giant whose legacy will remain.

American Folk, country ballad, swing? guitars, rural drive vibes

Wonderful classic country from one of the godfathers of the genre.

This is one of the most wistful, nostalgic albums I have heard in a while. Once You've Had The Best, The Weatherman, and Who Will I Be Loving Now are my top 3 for the album. It really makes me want to watch the leaves fall with a chill in the air but I've got a cozy blanket. Old country like this had truly mastered the concept of longing - and I am here for it.

Such heavy hitting lyrics and fantastic tunes. Then it ends with an upbeat groove that is so applicable to social media today.

almost forgot to listen to this KGKHJ but its rly short so i was able to fit it in on my walk to work, which is where im writing this from so ill try to be brief lol. but this is possibly my fave traditional country record ive rolled so far?? rly enjoyed that buck owens record too and that might have better capital s Songwriting but jones has that commanding-yet-vulnerable dark chocolate voice down to a tee and he nestles in so emotively in these big lush slightly syrupy 70s nashville arrangements. the heartbreak songs r rich melancholy and the love songs feel like almost unattainable ideals and hyperbole. idk if he was specifically Goin Thru Somethin or if this is just something country lands on a lot, but its very enveloping presentations of very emotionally provocative material esp when taken as a whole...the most album-y country record ive yet rolled in that way

Iconic! Took the honkey tonk twang and modernized it with well produced tracks. This is golden country at it's best!

I loveeeee his voice! I immediately got chills. It is so velvety and smooth. I feel like there are better albums but I love it so much!

Very deep lyrics about his breakup with Tammy and a good narrative on that era of country music.

One of the greatest voices of all time, singing some of the most downer songs of all time. This album is both incredible and incredibly depressing.

this one was amazing!

Wow that album went by quickly! It left me wanting much more. This is pedal steel, love and heartbreak old school country heaven! No one could put feeling and emotion into a country song quite like George Jones and what a voice! He would be on my Mt. Rushmore of country greats. I loved this from start to finish.

9/10

There are probably few examples of country music better than The Grand Tour. https://open.substack.com/pub/richcain/p/project-1001-the-grand-tour-by-george?r=4ztyq&utm_campaign=post&utm_medium=web&showWelcomeOnShare=false

Gorgeous. Quintessentially country with the voice of an angel and classic country music lyrics. Easy drive on a Saturday morning.

the greatest singer in country, singing his heart out on songs of regret and loss

Horrible man but I love the music.

An unexpected sad lad this. I actually quite enjoyed it. Simpsons: No

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

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

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

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

Peak 1970s Nashville Country Music. No notes.

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.

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.

Będzie 5, idealny album na powolne majowe poranki

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

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.

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

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

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.

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

Music that tells stories.

Great tear in your beer country.

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.

Great

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!

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.

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.

Great record

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

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

The King of love and heartache.

Great, almost honky tonk, country

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.

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.

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.

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.

Never heard before. great album

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

Short but very sweet. Title track is a devastating song

Thoughts before listening: Nice. I love this era of country music, and George Jones is one of the best to ever do it. That being said, I only really know his hits, and I have never actually done a deep dive on him. Looking forward to hearing this. Review: George Jones has one of the best voices of all time, country or otherwise. This album is full of his trademark heartbroken ballads and while this is not necessarily the type of country I would typically gravitate toward, its hard to deny just how good this is. This album was released in 1974 in the height of the outlaw country movement, but George stuck to his guns with a more traditional, crooner style. I can dig it, although nothing on here outside of the title track really hits like George's greatest songs ("He Stopped Loving Her Today", "She Thinks I Still Care", etc...I see a lyrical theme here 😂). I also appreciate that he threw in a couple upbeat honky tonk numbers with "The Weatherman" and "Our Private Life" to break up the ballads a bit. This is a 4-star album to me.

loved it

I'm not a country super fan, but I can get into most country music because it has a lot of the same elements that I like from other genres like folk and jazz. This is a nice album. The songwriting isn't pushing the boundaries of music or anything (at least not by today's standards), but George Jones's lovely voice adds a warmth that invites you in. He's a real country crooner for sure. The tone of the guitar is quite nice as well and the rest of the instrumental accompaniment and vocal harmonies enhance the musicality. Overall, the album has a comforting feeling and makes me feel nostalgic. 8/10.

It's old George Jones. He's a classic artist in the world of country. I really enjoyed this album. There wasn't anything to put there. Just a clean and simple country/folk album. Plus, I found George's voice added a really nice warmth to the album

Fantastic album. Superb title track that’s typical of George Jones. No one sung heartbreak like him. He’s got the best voice in country, dripping with emotion yet every word is clear and phrased to land perfectly, the way Sinatra does. Billy Sherrill’s production and the arrangements ebb and flow with the music and compliment George. If you’re coming at this from a rock point of view this is clearrly the template for Almost Blue by Elvis Costello. The last verse of the last track seems to be a justification of a performer turning up pissed. Complex character was George.

So much cheating

Divertido country despechado