Best Of George Jones

THE BEST OF GEORGE JONES (1955-1967) is a compilation of all the Top 10 hits that Jones recorded between 1955-1967 for the Starday, Mercury, United Artists and Musicor labels.
Personnel includes: George Jones (vocals, guitar); Melba Montgomery, Gene Pitney (vocals).
Includes liner notes by Rich Kienzle.
A typically excellent Rhino anthology, THE BEST OF GEORGE JONES (1955-1967) collects all of George Jones' early chart hits, ending just before his jump to Epic Records (and his marriage to Tammy Wynette) and the perhaps better-known work that followed. The first few songs, including "Why, Baby, Why" (better known from Webb Pierce's honky-tonk version) find Jones searching for his own style, recording both barroom weepers ("Just One More") and rockabilly ("White Lightning"). By 1962, he'd found it in the trademark clench-jawed intensity and soul that power anguished ballads like She Thinks I Still Care" and "You Comb Her Hair." Industry strictures however dictated that he dabble in other styles, so the album also includes up-tempo novelty tunes like "Love Bug" and "I'm a People."