Despite his death over a decade ago, new recordings from George Jones continue to be uncovered.
Set for release November 15 via Country Rewind Records, The Lost Nashville Sessions features 16 songs by arguably the greatest country singer to ever live — from #1 hits like “White Lightnin’” and “Tender Years” to deep cuts like “The Honky Tonk Downstairs” and “Old Brush Arbors” — with alternative arrangements that cast each in a new light.
Production for the project was conducted by newly minted Kentucky Music Hall of Famer Paul Martin, who’s work also includes the restoration of old tapes from Ferlin Husky, Bob Luman, Jeannie Seely, Jack Greene, and Waylon Jennings. Using artificial intelligence to pull Jones' iconic crooning vocals out of the original mix, Martin then re-recorded many of the track’s instrumentals before merging it back with the vocal, giving the songs a polished feel while at the same time staying true to the style they were originally recorded on the tapes.
While touching up instrumentals and backing vocals was a necessity in cases where there were missed notes and other inconsistencies or when someone else’s vocal played over Jones’ in the mix, Martin says he didn’t want or need to alter anything with the legend’s voice.
“Absolutely not! I didn’t want to mess with it,” Martin told C&I. “There’s some pitchy things, but it’s the character of his voice. Whenever I got it isolated I sat listening to it by myself in the studio with chills on my arms. George’s voice is timeless, so getting to work on something of his is a real treat.”
To celebrate The Lost Nashville Sessions’ release, here’s five of our favorite songs from “The Possum” that we’re looking forward to falling in love with all over again on the new record.
1. White Lightnin’ (1959)
Originally recorded by J. P. Richardson in 1958, “White Lightning” became Jones’ first #1 hit after releasing a version of it the following year in what’s become one of the most pointed to displays of his one of a kind vocal gymnastics by both casual and diehard fans alike.
Although this new version was captured in only a take or two, it’s estimated the original song took nearly 80 due to Jones being under the influence of alcohol.
2. Tender Years (1961)
A subdued tale about longing for a younger and unavailable woman, “Tender Years” became Jones’ second #1 hit and one of his longest lasting on the charts, spending seven non-consecutive weeks in pole position along with peaking at #76 on the Hot 100.
3. The Race Is On (1964)
First recorded for his 1964 album I Get Lonely In A Hurry, the Don Rollins’ penned “The Race Is On” again sees Jones’ vocal prowess stretched to max capacity with constant changes of pace that at its swiftest moments resemble the galloping thoroughbreds he’s metaphorically whining about.
4. The Honky Tonk Downstairs (1968)
A deep cut that initially debuted on 1968’s George Jones Sings the Songs of Dallas Frazier, “The Honky Tonk Downstairs” is a tear in your beer tune about a barmaid living with an alcoholic partner that is tailor made for Jones, who’s struggles with illicit substances through the years has become almost as notorious as the songs themselves.
5. The Grand Tour (1974)
No matter if you see it as a song centered around divorce or a ballad about a man whose wife died, it's unanimous that “The Grand Tour” is one of Jones’ saddest and most popular songs. After releasing in early 1974 it reached #1 later that summer, becoming Jones’ first song since 1967's "Walk Through This World with Me" to top the charts.
Pre-save the Lost Nashville Sessions here.
