Search - George Jones :: Sings the Great Songs of Leon Payne

One Of The Best Jones Albums Of The 1960's

03/22/2000

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Leon Payne, a great blind Texas-based honky-tonker of the late-forties, fifties and sixties, was an even greater country songwriter, maybe the finest of the middle part of the century (he provided Hank Williams with "Lost Highway" and also wrote "I Love You Because"). Jim Reeves, among others, recorded some wonderful things with his compositions. He did'nt do George any harm either, the last three cuts of this singles collection from 1971 show him at a mid-sixties peak - there might not be a better Jones performance than "Things Have Gone To Pieces". Great songs, even better vocals, a must-have for Jones fans. Now, how about somebody re-releasing Payne's Starday albums from the early sixties? (You listening, Bear Family?)"

Jones Sings the Pain of Payne...

12/23/2004

(4 out of 5 stars)

"GEORGE JONES SINGS THE GREAT SONGS OF LEON PAYNE includes many tunes you will see on various Jones' compilations, such as "Blue Side of Lonesome" (which was a hit for Jim Reeves), "They'll Never Take Her Love From Me" (recorded by the mighty Hank, who also recorded Payne's "Lost Highway"), and "Take Me" (co-written by Payne with Jones and would later go on to be the first single from Jones and new wife Tammy Wynette years later). It's great that Hollywood has issued this record for it showcases George paying tribute to one of country music's great songwriters in his usual "I'll sing you a song with all my heart before I'm executed" manner.



Of special note here are some of the tear-jerking ballads that George sings as if his very life depends on it. There is the haunting "There's No Justice" and the typical "everything ain't right" country ballad "Things have Gone to Pieces." In another singer's hands this tune would have been laughable but Jones pulls it off, delivering one of his most bluesy vocals EVER. A big highlight of the record, though, is "Brothers of A Bottle," where Jones sings about the evils of women and the joys of getting loaded.



There are some duds, such as "Let A Little Lovin' Come In," an upbeat novelty that sounds a bit silly now, and "The Selfishness Of Man," a would-be anthem about the sorry state of mankind which sounds odd coming from the hell-raising honky tonk legend. This is minor criticism, however. This LP is worth owning if for nothing else but the outstanding performance George gives on "Take Me," which exudes that elegant Lefty Frizzell influence which he built upon to achieve such a stunning vocal style. I'm happy I own it - you will be too."