Search - George Jones :: Wine Colored Roses

Pure Country Soul...

12/13/2004

(5 out of 5 stars)

"WINE COLORED ROSES is a true classic from "the Rolls Royce" of country singers. Released in 1986 when George was with Epic Records, this album is a return to a more sparse sound. Producer Billy Sherrill cut much of the strings and background voices to showcase George doing what he does best - singing country songs with so much passion it will make your spine bleed whiskey.



There's a little bit of everything on this album. There is the sad resignation of the title track, the bitter account of a breakup (Don't Leave Without Taking Your Silver"), and a novelty ("Ol' Frank"). It's not all doom and gloom, however, with touching love songs like "I Turn To You" and "The Right Left Hand," which was written specifically for his wife, Nancy. Patti Page duets with the Possum on "You Never Looked That Good When You Were Mine," and although she does a great job, it remains a song that was meant for George and ex-wife Tammy Wynette. By the time we get to the heart-wrenching "These Old Eyes Have Seen It All" it is apparent that Jones - newly sober after about thirty years of self-abuse - had not lost a step whatsover. Pure country soul.



Billy Sherrill frames these songs perfectly and shows a flair for taking George in a more contemporary direction on "If Only Your Eyes Could Lie" with great results. In fact, it would fit in nicely on country radio today if not for the narrow-minded powers-that-be that run the show these days. THIS IS A CLASSIC GEORGE JONES ALBUM THAT REVEALS WHY HE HAS MANAGED TO STAY ON TOP OF THE HEAP FOR SO LONG. If you're a Geroge Jones fan and you haven't heard this, you're missing out big time."

The KING on HIS Throne

Nick Yaekle | Columbus, Ohio USA | 04/26/2003

(5 out of 5 stars)

"I can't say anything about the incomparable voice of THE VOICE of country music, George Jones. Its a shame this incredible CD is no longer in print. The title cut is classic Jones, which has interestingly enough, basically become synonymous with REAL country, not this bubble gum rock stuff they put out today with some rhinestones and cute faces. The song, "Right Left Hand" shows his happiness with his wife Nancy. "You Never Looked That Good When You were Mine" shows his stunning ability to duet with the best, in this case Patti Page. And my favorite should be Anna Nicole Smith's theme, "Ol Frank" a song about a younger woman marrying a man who owned "half of the county but would never see 60 again!" Start to finish, one of the Possum's best. Grassroots, hardcore, pure, idealic, honest, heart-felt, and LIVED are words which only touch on this surface of this CD, but more importantly, only touch on the surface of this worldwide musical icon!"