The years 1975 and 1976 mark a hard turn in the life and career of George Jones. After an extraordinary commercial and artistic run, Jones's marriage to Tammy Wynette collapsed for good, his substance abuse verged on the d... more »eadly, and most of his singles charted poorly. At the same time, Jones collaborated with Billy Sherrill for two emotionally potent, incessantly graceful albums. Recorded in the immediate aftermath of Jones's divorce, Memories of Us is relentlessly dark, distinguished by the unbearably sad "A Goodbye Joke" and "What I Do Best," in which pathos becomes great art. Surrounded by Sherrill's often-breathtaking production, Jones's voice never sounded so plangent, so aching. The original album cover of The Battle is itself high theatre--a white bed, empty white boots, a framed portrait of Jones, spilled red roses--and the music inside is even more dramatic. "Love Coming Down" represents the perfect marriage of a grand confessional lyric and vocal genius, while David Allan Coe's "I Still Sing the Old Songs" seems to have been tailor-made for Jones's hard-country persona. Then there's the remarkable title track. The extended metaphor of "The Battle," in which satin gowns become armor and tears deadly weapons, would be absurd in most hands; yet the story of a marriage disintegrating into war, but somehow finding peace, becomes transcendent in the hands of Jones and Sherrill. That track, indeed the entire album, stands among the most moving and enduring work in the history of country music. --Roy Kasten« less
The years 1975 and 1976 mark a hard turn in the life and career of George Jones. After an extraordinary commercial and artistic run, Jones's marriage to Tammy Wynette collapsed for good, his substance abuse verged on the deadly, and most of his singles charted poorly. At the same time, Jones collaborated with Billy Sherrill for two emotionally potent, incessantly graceful albums. Recorded in the immediate aftermath of Jones's divorce, Memories of Us is relentlessly dark, distinguished by the unbearably sad "A Goodbye Joke" and "What I Do Best," in which pathos becomes great art. Surrounded by Sherrill's often-breathtaking production, Jones's voice never sounded so plangent, so aching. The original album cover of The Battle is itself high theatre--a white bed, empty white boots, a framed portrait of Jones, spilled red roses--and the music inside is even more dramatic. "Love Coming Down" represents the perfect marriage of a grand confessional lyric and vocal genius, while David Allan Coe's "I Still Sing the Old Songs" seems to have been tailor-made for Jones's hard-country persona. Then there's the remarkable title track. The extended metaphor of "The Battle," in which satin gowns become armor and tears deadly weapons, would be absurd in most hands; yet the story of a marriage disintegrating into war, but somehow finding peace, becomes transcendent in the hands of Jones and Sherrill. That track, indeed the entire album, stands among the most moving and enduring work in the history of country music. --Roy Kasten
CD Reviews
Two excellent George Jones albums
09/14/1999
(5 out of 5 stars)
"George Jones is always "good", often "very good" and sometimes "excellent". Memories Of Us (1975) and The Battle (1976) are both in the last category. George is at his vocal best all the way and the songs are strong. Especially the title tracks + "Love Coming Down" (also recorded by Elvis the same year; George is just as good) and "I Still Sing The Old Songs" (written by David Allen Coe). All of them should have been #1 hits. The albums are wonderfully produced by Billy Sherrill. He was a great producer for George."
Under-rated reissue collection
Jerry McDaniel | 03/17/2004
(5 out of 5 stars)
"Koch Records released this double album CD in 1999. the albums should've been flip-flopped. "The Battle" came along in 1976, after "Memories of Us" in 1975 but on this CD the 1976 album is first. it's an under-rated reissue because i wouldn't have known about it if i hadn't been listening to an all-night AM trucker's show that was spotlighting it. it can't be found at your local record store...at least none around here. "The Battle" contains 7 songs ironically in a positive light, despite his personal relationship with Tammy going sour. only 3 songs, as described by the guy who wrote the liner notes, allow George to explore his personal problems, which were a staple in the Billy Sherrill era: "Wean Me", "I'll Come Back and Love You Again", and "Love Comin' Down". the album cover of the Battle is not your typical one either. but in 1975-1977, George couldn't seem to do anything right in the eyes of the industry and these two solo albums reveal 20 songs that the public has forgotten about since his duet career with Tammy and later, Johnny PayCheck, over-shadowed his solo efforts in the late '70s. what a shame! "I Just Don't Give a Damn", which is track 20, is one of my all-time favorites! some have said that the song is full of self-pity...but i think the song is a study of a man whose own defiance and pride doesn't allow him to give in and mend the relationship with the woman even though he wants to because in the song he sings "if you should ever want to call me, i'll be on my side of town" letting us know that he's willing to compromise but he re-states his stance by concluding "but don't call tonight 'cause i still don't give a damn" ...one of the best songs he's ever done in my opinion. the "Love Comin' Down" song on the other hand, i was introduced to by way of Conway Twitty who recorded it on his 1979 CROSS WINDS album on MCA...i grew up with Conway's version and love it but i also love George's version too! "Bring on the Clowns" is outstanding. "What I Do Best" is a classic to me, with the great lines: "they say that every man has given talent; but if hurtin' is a talent then i know that i've been blessed"; and "i've lost in love but in sadness i've been successful and i guess i finally found What I Do Best". "Baby, There's Nothing Like You", "You Always Look Your Best Here in My Arms", "A Touch of Wilderness", "The Night Time and My Baby", and "A Goodbye Joke" are all great. about the only weak song, if you want to call it that, is "She Once Made a Romeo Cry". George's performance of "I Can't Get Over What Lovin' You Has Done" is surprisingly romantic and gentle, like on "Love Comin' Down". "The Battle", his Top-20 hit from 1976 is of course a brilliant love song using military and war references. "Memories of Us" didn't do as well, peaking at #21 in 1975 {even though a #21 is a great peak position anyhow} but it's still a great song about a relationship gone bad. the album cover of "Memories of Us" was used for the 1994 box set "The Essential George Jones"."
Nothing, but great
Jerry McDaniel | 07/02/1999
(5 out of 5 stars)
"Anything Jones sings has got to be good. He's the greatest"
Choices I've Made is going #1!
dgut@webtv.net | Ohio, USA | 06/25/1999
(5 out of 5 stars)
"This song is one of the catchiest tunes we have heard in years. It would be played more often if a younger singer recorded it but, George proves he's not ready for the rocking chair yet! My wife hums that song all day long. Will buy the CD ASAP."
There's no one better than George Jones
layton58 | Moline Illinois | 10/29/2001
(5 out of 5 stars)
"This album really tells the true sadness George Jones went thru with his divorce and his drinking he was in a downward spril but I think his belief in himself and his music pulled him through and I'm sure Tammy was always there for him."
Track Listings (20) - Disc #1