George Jones Merle Haggard - Jones Sings Haggard Haggard Sings Jones Kickin Out the Footlights Again (14 tracks) +Album Reviews

Put the two greatest country singers together...

DanD | 10/25/2006

(5 out of 5 stars)

"George Jones. Merle Haggard. Singing each others' songs, plus an occasional spirited duet. I mean, really, what's the point of reading this review--you know you're gonna buy the damn album anyways.

Needless to say, this is probably one of the best records to come out this year. The Possum and the Hag are good friends--their friendship being one of mutual respect and recognition. Both are talented individuals (the word "talent" really isn't powerful enough), and both have seen some hard times in their hard lives. You can hear it in their songs--and on this album, they get to sing songs the other made a hit. I'd give you a list of highlites, but the entire album is worth repeated listening, so it's kind of pointless. From the opening (and somewhat depressing) "Footlights" to the closing "Don't Get Aroud Much anymore" (with Haggard and Jones breaking into fits of bemused friendly laughter, plus the wry joke here and there), this album is a classic. Buy it; just buy it. If you love country music, then by God buy this album. THIS is what country music really is--THIS is what God intended country music to be. Or maybe the devil...Whoever it was, they had damn good taste in music."

Last men standing

John Gervickas | Cape Coral, Florida United States | 11/03/2006

(4 out of 5 stars)

"I'm borrowing from the new Jerry Lee CD for the title of my review, because the best two CD's I've purchased in a while are the Killer, and this one featuring the two greatest country singers of all time (sorry Hank and Lefty!). I was intrigued (and a little worried) when I heard about this CD (and the concept behind it). With Jones being 75 years old, and having significant vocal problems in recent years, and Merle almost 70 trying to sing songs associated with a man that just cannot be outsung - the possibility of a very disappointing disc was certainly a possibility. My fears were somewhat realized in regards to George. He certainly puts everything he has left into his covers of Hag tunes, but much of his range is absent on this disc (I've read that he has been having bad allergy problems, which affected him on these recordings). Notice the difference on "Don't get around much anymore", which is from a different session recorded at Hag's studio. You can hear the low end of Jones' voice, missing on the other cuts. On the other hand (much as he did on "Roots"), Hag reaches for notes he hadn't hit in years - and rivals Jones' originals on "Window up above", "Things have gone to pieces", and even "The race is on". For a almost 70-year old Merle to even come close to a very young George on those cuts is incredible. The song selection is mostly good, if not a bit predictable. Merle covers George covering him on "I always get lucky with you", and I would rather have heard George on "I threw away the rose" or "Swinging doors" than on "Sing me back home" (a song that is just to personal to resonate by another artist, IMO). George could have nailed "The way I am" and "Strangers" in his prime, but these versions are still pretty good. He puts a lot of heart into "You take me for granted", which I think is better suited to him than it was for Merle. The duets are excellent, particularly "Born with the blues". This is my favorite cut on the disc, showing that Hag's pen hasn't dried up yet. It is quite autobiographical, and both men sing thier hearts out. I hate to nitpick about anything on here, because it still absolutely blows away anything else that any of the pretenders are doing in the guise of "real country" these days. I guarantee you we won't be listening to Tim and Toby dueting in 2035!(at least I hope not!). The dialogue in the middle of "Don't get around much anymore" is worth the price of the disc (if you know the stories behind the commentary). Buy it up, folks. (get the Jerry Lee, too). It won't be long before all of the true legends are gone. Thanks again to the Hag and Possum!"

The Best CD in Years

J. Robson | Middleton, WI | 10/26/2006

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Got my hands on this CD the day it was released and have played it over and over and...It's been about 25 years since George and Merle did a CD together. Their last one was good, this one is great.

I've listened to George and Merle and been to their shows for about 40 years so I know their songs very well. It takes a little getting used to when you hear Merle sing The Race Is On and George sing I Think I'll Just Stay Here and Drink.The first couple of times I played the Cd I would know which song it was after a couple of chords but the wrong guy was singing. It was great hearing the subtle differences in how they do songs made hits by each other. The duets are great too. You can tell they are having fun. I'd love to see a DVD of the recording sessions.

I have a lot of country music, real country music, and this CD goes in to the top tier of my collection. Any fan of real country will love this Cd.

In the last song Merle says "George we gotta get back on the radio". I hope some of the idiots running so called country stations have sense enough to play the songs from this CD.

I saw George at a show a few months ago and he told the audience that he and Merle are trying to put a tour together for 2007-I sure hope they get it done."

Hag and Jones - The "Real" Deal

HagFan | Uniontown, PA | 11/01/2006

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Folks, this not the album of the year. This is the "Real" Country album of the decade! This album is the kick in the butt that "True" Country music has needed for years. Normally, when I buy a new album, if it is truly "great", most of the songs hit me right away. On this release by The Hag and George, every song sounded like the greatest country music that I'd ever heard. My feelings are that Merle and George hand picked each others songs to sing that each one thought that they would do the most justice to the originals. Because, as a couple of other reviewers alluded to was the fact that on first listening, you weren't quite sure which one of the two was singing. Until Hag or George put their own very recognizable nuances at times in each song.

One of the reviewers mentioned something about Merle Haggard not sounding that great on this album(I really can't remember what exactly he said), but I totally disagree. You see, Hag had alot of dental work done a couple of years ago. And, if you know anything about singing, the quality of your dental work has a great affect on your voice. The best example that I can give you on this album is when Hag sings George's song "Things Have Gone To Pieces". Hag hasn't hit the high notes that he hits on this tune in years. And, he and George's voices are so crystal clear. Great production on this album, although I know that some of these songs were done in one take "Live".

If the Country music stations, and "country" music itself, was what it was about 15 years ago, every song on this album would be a potential Number One hit. If these songs were played on the radio today, and "so-called" country music fans knew what "real" country music is(instead of the washed over stuff that's shoved down their throats) Hag and George would blow all the other dueos off the charts. It's a disgrace what country music that's played on the radio has become. Nearly every single artist sounds basically the same, and the groups sound mainly like '70's Southern Rock.

When you hear Merle Haggard and George Jones sing, you know that it is Merle Haggard or George Jones. Some of you may say that Hag himself sounds alot like George when he sings Georges' songs. Well, if you don't remember, years ago Hag used to have alot of fun mimicing other country singers that he looked up to, such as Marty Robbins. You could have sworn it was Marty singing. I honestly feel that when Hag does sound like George at times on this album, it was intentional. It was Hag's way of paying the highest tribute to George that he could. And, he does a great job, as does George when he sings Hag's songs. The new tunes are priceless. The first release from the album, "Sick, Sober and Sorry" would be a classic if only radio would play it. But, sadly, most stations don't even have a DJ sitting in the studio anymore. The stuff they play is piped in, so Hag and George don't stand a chance.

So, after all of that said, if you are a "Real Country" music fan, you must purchase this album. Without it, your collection just won't be complete. I'd rate this in the Top 10 Country albums that I own, and I have quite a collection. Amazon asks you to rate the album from 1 to 5 when you review it. It's a shame. This one's a 10! Thanks for reading my review. I hope it helps you make your decision on buying it or not."

Still Kickin' Out The Footlights

Paul W. Dennis | Winter Springs, FL USA | 10/31/2006

(5 out of 5 stars)

"This is the best CD issued this year, a romp through some of the great songs associated with George Jones and Merle Haggard. On this collection, Hag sings five songs that were hits for the Possum ("The Race Is On","She Thinks I Still Care", "Things Have Gone To Pieces", "I Always Get Lucky With You" and "Window Up Above"), while Jones tackles five Haggard classics ("The Way I Am", "Strangers", "I Think I'll Just Stay Here And Drink", "Sing Me Back Home" and "You Take Me For Granted") . There are also four duets in "Footlights" (a Haggard album cut that should ring true for every veteran musician), "Born With The Blues", "Sick, Sorry and Sober" (an uptempo western swing number often associated with Gene Autry pal Johnny Bond)and a light-hearted and amusing take on the Duke Ellington number "Don't Get Around Much Anymore". This latter song features Haggard's band The Strangers; the rest of the recordings are with a very inspired group of session musicians

The arrangements are fairly true to the spirit of the original hit recordings. Curiously enough, when Jones sings the songs associated with Haggard, there is never any doubt that Jones is doing the vocalizing; however, when Haggard sings the Jones songs, you sometimes feel that you're listening to a younger George Jones at work, so accurate and subconscious a mimic is Haggard. I suppose I ought to pick out a few highlights but the truth is I love every, repeat, every track on this album. This is country music at its best"

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