George Jones “Alone Again”

Based on the excellent album cover, alone, a better title might be “White Knucklin’” —then again, “Alone Again” can’t be beat, especially if you interpret that the “who” he’s missin’ is the 101 Proof Mistress. The cover photo, with a blurry waitress on the way to the kitchen (indicating a moment frozen in time) shows Jones sitting forlornly at a corner booth in a beautiful tiled diner. There’s a jukebox selector there (the kind that used to be placed in each both, so you could select songs without getting up—I remember those). Is he playing George Jones? Or maybe Tammy Wynette? It’s 1976. His hair and sideburns are in top form. And he’s drinking a vanilla milkshake—the kind that’s blended in the metal cup, poured into your glass, and what’s left in the mixing cup is like milkshake seconds, and always welcome. But in this case, Jones looks like he’d rather have something stronger. Coffee? I’d go for that milkshake right about now, actually, myself, no regrets. Some cornball liner notes by Don Cusic are just about perfect. My favorite songs here are: “A Drunk Can’t Be a Man,” a classic drinking (or not drinking) lament. “Stand on My Own Two Knees,” a melancholy one, and what a title! “You’re the Best Living” —nice song, familiar one to me. “Over Something Good” is anther sad one, and is something good, as is “I’m All She’s Got.” “Right Now I’d Come Back and Melt in Her Arms” says it all in the title, well, not all—it’s pretty forlorn! “Diary of My Mind,” another excellent title, sad song. Some of the others are a bit jaunty for my taste, but you’ve gotta mix it up a little. George Jones was was born and died (almost) the same years as my dad, which is instant perspective. I’ve gone through periods where l listened to (almost) no one else. On some days I’d say he was my favorite all-time male singer. He’s got a million records—you could spend your life getting to the bottom of them—I’ve only got a few, but they’re great—no one sounds like him, not even close.

9.25.26