The concept behind The Bradley Barn Sessions was an intriguing one: Place George Jones in the hands of traditionalist country producer Brian Ahern, record at Owen Bradley's legendary studios, compile a selection of George's greatest hits and have him sing duets with contemporary vocalists (and Tammy Wynette) that have cited him as an influence. In theory, it should have worked but in practice, it's a stilted, nearly lifeless album. The production is too clean and polished, lacking any of the grit of true honky tonk records. Furthermore, songs like "A Good Year for the Roses" suffer from the stringless, stripped-down arrangements. And though all of [George's duet partners — including Marty Stuart, Alan Jackson, Vince Gill, Ricky Skaggs, Trisha Yearwood, and Travis Tritt — are respectful, only Keith Richards captures the spirit of a roadside honky tonk.
GEORGE JONES
BRADLEY BARN SESSIONS (MCA 11096)
October 11/1994
Produced by Brian Ahern
Brian Ahern, James Burton, Brent Rowan, Mark Knopfler - el.guitar
Richard Bennett, Mac McAnally - ac.guitar
Paul Franklin, John Hughey, Tommy Spurlock - steel
Jerry Douglas - dobro
Glenn Worf, David Hungate - bass
Eddie Bayers, Harry Stinson - drums
Ricky Skaggs - ac.guitar/fiddle/vocals
Marty Stuart - el.guitar/mandolin/vocals
Hargus Pig Robbins, Glen D. Hardin, Leon Russell - piano
Recorded:
July/1994, Bradley's Barn, Mount Juliet
After three full years of marriage it's the first time that you haven't made the bed
I guess the reason we're not talkin' there's so little left to say we haven't said
While a million thoughts go running through my mind I find I haven't spoke a word
And from the bedroom those familiar sounds of our one baby's cryin' goes unheard
But what a good year for the roses...
**********
Well I got a crow I want to pick with you
Just like last time when the feathers flew
You're running wild a kickin' up your heels
A leavin' me home with a handful of bills
Well I can't live without you and you know it's true
There ain't no livin' with you so what'll I do
I'm goin' honky tonkin' tight as I can
And maybe by then you'll preciate a good man
Tell me why baby why... [ guitar ]
Now I don't know but I've heard you say
That every little dog's a gonna have his day
You better pay attention don't you dare forget
Cause I'm just a little bitty puppy yet
Well I caught you honky tonkin' with my best friend
The thing to do was leave you but I should've left then
Now I'm too old to leave you but I still get sore
When you come home a feelin' for the knob on the door
Tell me why baby why...
Tell me why baby why baby why baby why
Why baby why baby why baby why
**********
In a little wedding chapel later on that afternoon
An old upright piano plays that old familiar tune
Tears roll down her cheeks and happy thoughts run through her head
As he whispers low with this ring I Thee wed
Golden ring with one tiny little stone shining ring now at last it's found a home
By itself it's just a cold metalic thing only love can make a golden wedding ring
In a small two room apartment as they fight their final round
He says you won't admit it but I know you're leaving town
She says one thing's for certain I don't love you anymore
And throws down the ring as she walks out the door
Golden ring with one tiny little stone cast aside like the love that's dead and gone
By itself it's just a cold metalic thing only love can make a golden wedding ring
In a pawn shop in Chicago on a sunny summer day
A couple gazes at the wedding rings there on display
Golden ring
**********
Well I was ruling the roost and I had all the chicks to myself
And suddenly it happened a funny little feelin' I felt
Yeah I tried to outrun it but it finally caught up with me
Oh but how could I run from somethin' that I can't see
Oh that a little bitty teeny weeny thing... [ guitar ]
Well I always thought that I had me a pretty good style
But I lost that race by a good old country mile
I was walkin' around with my head held way up high
And it fooled me hit me really took me by surprise
Oh that a little bitty teeny weeny thing...
It's a little bitty teeny weeny thing they call the love bug
**********
There was one old store in the holler we all called town
It belonged to a gentle old man named Henry Brown
He gave us credit in the winter time o we could live through the cold
When the winds brought snow
Tryin' to grow corn and cotton on ground so poor that grass won't grow [ guitar ]
Oh the one I loved walked through those fields with me
She was a hard workin' woman true as one could be
Oh but then one year death was goin' round and swiftly took it's toll
Janie had to go
Now she lies asleep under ground so poor that grass won't grow
As I stand here looking over this part of Tennessee
The fields are bare as far as the eye can see
And over the grains where Janie lies there's a beautiful sight to behold
And no one knows
Why there's flowers growing on ground so poor that grass won't grow
Now there's flowers growing on ground so poor that grass won't grow
**********
I can light up your smokes I can laugh at your jokes
I can watch you fall down on your knees
I can close down this bar go and gas up my ol' car
Hon I can pack up oh Lord and mail in my keys
But I need four walls around me...
Now the smoke fills the air in this honky tonk bar
And I'm thinking bout where I'd rather be
But I burned all the bridges and I sunk all my ships
And I'm standing at the edge of the sea
I still I need four walls around me...
**********
Well I asked my old pappy why he called his brew
White lightning stead of mountain dew
I took a little sip and right away I knew
Ay eyes bugged out and my face turned blue
Light has startef flashing thunder started crashing
(Whew white lightning)
Well the G men T men revenoers too... [ guitar ]
Well a city slicker came...
Well the G men T men revenoers too... [ guitar ]
**********
