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.

😫

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

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?

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

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.

The worst.

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.

it’s probably a 5 fuck it, it’s a 5

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

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

I suggest reading the Wikipedia article about this guy. Incredible

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.

Mercifully short

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.

Love it

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.

another excellent classic country album. Nothing to dislike here he has great songs that tell great stories. Great vocals.

Yee-haw

Pretty fun collection of songs, perfect for chilled evening listening

I liked it. Simple songs performed well. This is the sound that a lot of country artists I enjoy base their sound on. Very few capture the effortless bouncy twang. Just needs a single kind of clever phrase, and that’s the base for a nice two minute song.

Day538 - he took the church hymns and added in some lovin,cheatin and drinking

Favorite Track: The Grand Tour

This was some fun old country I enjoyed it immensely

It was a very good country album

An interesting album, I really liked The Grand Tour the most.

Um bom álbum, gostei das músicas,uma pegada mais folk ou country

This is what a broken heart sounds like.

7.5

Confortável. Não sou um sommelier de country nem nada, mas consigo apreciar o conteúdo desse disco. Palhetadas agradavéis e letras agridoces. A canção titular é fantastica, é o modelo do que uma canção de country precisa ser. O resto do album não chega no mesmo ápice, na verdade não chega nem perto, mas não tem nada ruim. Album curto, fácil de ouvir... Até agora foi meu country favorito da lista. A voz desse cara é fodida de linda. 4/5

George Jones was the voice of country music. This album is fantastic beginning to end, can’t say the same for ol’ George.

This one surprised me. Some great country. Last song goes hard! You didn’t have to do it to ‘em like that George.

A little genre diversity makes this whole thing worth it. Thanks George for the nostalgia of living in the American south.

He did eat a little on Mary Don't Go Round. I believe that all the women who left him were in the right. 4.

A country music classic.

Classic storytelling country. And vulnerable and emotional in a way. You just don't get anymore from the genre.

so much classic country has a gimmick, a conceit that runs through a song to tell the story - the title track is a pretty good example. Man this possum looking mother fucker could sing. An inspiration as I understand for friend of the list Elvis Costello. A friend lives across a couple lawns from the house he shared with Tammy Wynette before the grand tour.

short and sweet! i do love old/classic country... feels like this would be right at home in a bar with a jukebox.

nice old-school country crooner album. good vocals, lyrics, and instrumentation - moving in parts, funny in others. nothing fancy or ground-breaking but super solid. bonus star for being under 30 minutes! favorites: the grand tour, she'll love the one she's with, once you've had the best, our private life

Surprised by just how much I enjoyed this! I grew up with post-9/11 jingoistic bro country as the genre's dominant mode and never felt the need to explore much classic country beyond Cash and Dolly, so George Jones was a entirely new name to me, despite his apparently being a legend??? And, I mean, that tracks based on this LP: Jones is a great singer and interpreter, and he locks into the wry, ironic lyrics his songwriting team have brought to the table. It's knowingly clever without being too cute; best exhibit is how the chorus of "She Told Me So" flips the verses. Exactly the sort of taste-expanding exercise I subscribed to this for.

I like George Jones, but I just don't love him the same way I like similar artists from his era. A solid album that just doesn't move me the same.

fans of country music often refer to george strait as “king george”, but for my money “king george” is george jones. this is a fantastic album that showcases his seemingly effortless, but still emotive, singing style. i enjoyed every song on this album, which doesn’t happen often. george jones is a true legend of the genre. highlights: “the grand tour” “the weatherman” “she told me so” “mary don’t go ‘round”

I'm glad this was on the list. He's such a huge part of mainstream country music, but I haven't had much experience with that genre, so aside from a few hits, I'm unfamiliar with his work. (I've tended to only listen to the so-called outlaw country greats: Johnny Cash, Willie Nelson, Waylon Jennings, etc.) It's easy to dismiss old-school mainstream country as sappy and/or corny. Partly because it is. But there's a wit to the songwriting, like O'Henry short stories. And the arrangements and musical performances are top-notch. (I love the Jordanaires back-up group. Subtle and warm. No wonder Ween used them for their 12 Golden Country Greats album.) Jones is a great country singer, of course. I think in lesser hands, these songs wouldn't work as well. My only problem is I got tired of it about 3/4 of the way through. Could just be because I'm still a country music tourist. But whatever. Anyway, this was a nice listen. Glad it's on the list.