Merle Haggard, George Jones - A Taste of Yesterday's Wine

Two Kings And A Whole Lotta Soul...

In 1982 country music fans must have been in a state of orgasmic bliss when this album was released - Jones and Haggard together, finally! If Hank and Lefty are playing cards together and knocking back a few pints in honky tonk Heaven, chances are this duet album is playing constantly on the jukebox. It simply doesn't get any better than this.

Finding themselves on the same record label after decades of chart topping hits, Merle and George, along with legendary producer Billy Sherrill, effortlessly delve into the highs and lows of hard livin' in general. A running theme throughout the album is the difficulty of dealing with the pressures of being country legends in a business where loneliness lurks at every stop. And, of course, there's the booze, which is celebrated and demonized at the same time.

As you might expect from these two, the singing is jaw-droppingly flawless. The album opens, fittingly enough, with Willie Nelson's "Yesterday's Wine," song about two old friends meeting in a bar. "I Think I've Found A Way, written by Merle, is probably the album's best track, and after Hag sings "I think I've found a way" and George chimes in with the line "to live without you" Jones' soulful voice will make your hair stand on-end (In fact, George's singing on the second verse is some of the most dazzling vocals he has sung in his career). They sing a couple of tributes to each other as well, with "Silver Eagle," a song written about Merle and remains the only song, to my knowledge, where Jones talks about smoking dope. "No Show Jones," co-written by George, is a sarcastic reference to Jones' inability to make the shows he was booked for at the time and many in which he was not (When this album was recorded, George was in the depths of his "bad days," with a dayly routine that would make most rock stars blush). These two songs, along with "After I Sing All My Songs," addresses the theme of the "lost highway" that country singers must endure on the road. "I Haven't Found Her Yet," written by Merle with George's drinking buddy Johnny Paycheck, also speaks of trying to find love in a world of fleeting honky tonk angels.

The rest is icing on the cake. There is the sad regret of "The Brothers" and "Mobile Bay" and the hilarious "Must've Been Drunk" and the hit "C.C. Waterback (Half the album's songs mention drinking - what did you expect?). Sherrill's production is thankfully restrained, as if he knew he needn't do too much to make this record a classic. This album is without pretension completely - even the cover photo looks like it was taken as an after-thought before the boys hit the local tavern after finishing recording. Along with the death of Hank Williams and the moment Waylon met Willie in some bar in Nashville, this album goes down as one of the most significant events in the history of country music. A classic of classics.

December 15, 2004

Jones and Haggard: The Greats Come Together

i loved this CD. every song, with the exception of "I Haven't Found Her Yet", are great. the reason i didn't like the song i just mentioned as much is because it's a sing-a-long type of song and i don't like George doing that kind of song unless it's a gospel song. the hits were "Yesterday's Wine", which hit #1 in 1982 and "C.C. Waterback", which reached #10 in early 1983. i love "Silver Eagle" and "After I Sing All My Songs". "No Show Jones" makes it's debut on this album. "I Think I've Found a Way to Live Without You" is another great ballad. "Must've Been Drunk" is hilarious, especially George's shouting part during the chorus: "we must've been drunk when we said we'd stop drinkin' a double shot over the line. Hag, we must've been drunk, lord, what was we thinkin? we must have been out of our minds!". the killer lyric on "I Think I've Found a Way to Live Without You" comes from George: "i know everybody wonders why drinking hasn't killed me and i myself at times have wondered why...". "The Brothers" and "Mobile Bay" are other great ballads. if "I Haven't Found Her Yet" wasn't included on here, it would be a masterpiece. the only song that some might want to fast-forward is "I Haven't Found Her Yet"...but the song may be a favorite to someone else so listen to it first. i actually like the instrumentation but i don't like the lyrics that much. November 20, 2003

You think it would be good, now wouldn't you?

Well all of us thought it would be good. It had all the right ingredients, well except a handful of good songs worthy of this duo.

Now don't get me wrong, if your idea of good country music is Ray Stevens; and you can take Barry Manilow in large doses, then you might like this. But, if you are a true country music fan who loves the off key wail of E.T. and Webb, then you will be disappointed in this.

The only songs that seemed to be recorded while Jones and Hag were awake are C.C. Waterback, Yesterday's Wine, and No Show Jones. The rest are easily skipped by pushing the "next" button on your cd player.

Just pass this one on by, and just say you have it. September 20, 2003

2 Legends Are Better Than One

If you love country music you love Haggard and Jones. Together they are just dynamite! Some "sleepers" that you may love are "After I Sing All My Songs" which George takes to levels that only George Jones can. Also take a listen to "I Think I've Found a Way" penned by Haggard and sung magnificently by him (Lefty would be proud - you can hear Hag's idol Lefty Frizzell in the line "All I Have to Do Is Die"). Also listen carefully to Jones' harmony on the track. "CC Waterback", "Yesterday's Wine", and "No Show Jones" are also strong in their own way. Buy it! You won't regret it! May 25, 2002

you need to own this!!!

Merle is my all-time favorite country artist,and George ain't far behind.That said,I knew that I would enjoy this cd;just not as much as I do.It's a real gem,and essential for any c&w library.Two old friends having a great time singing some great songs.What more could you want?"Must've Been Drunk" and "C.C.Waterback"are two of the funnest songs ever.A definite must have. December 28, 2001

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