This is the set originally issued in a long box (which I had at some point decades ago but stupidly got rid of for some reason - maybe I was short on cash at the time), but I think later reissued in regular packaging with just 2 jewel boxes? In any event, I now just have the 2 CDs, with no box or booklet, which I picked up near-mint for about $7 shipped total. This is not to be confused with the other Epic/Legacy set entitled simply The Essential George Jones [2006], with no subtitle and this cover:
This one has a different track listing, without Musicor sides which are included in the Spirit set and the reason why I opted for that one. There is no Christgau review of this one, although Hull gives it a full A, and its AllMusic reviews are not as encouraging as those for Spirit. Christgau also does not review Spirit, but mentions it favorably in another review. According to ChatGPT, about half the tracks between these two sets overlap. I also considered:
The Hits... Then 'Til Now - Christgau gives this an A-, but Hull has not reviewed it. It has 3 discs, but is a Time Life release and omits the Starday/Mercury sides, so I am skipping it.
The Definitive Collection 1955-1962 - Christgau gave this a 6/10, so, honorable mention at best in my book. I think he grades it so low because Cup of Loneliness: The Classic Mercury Years is twice the size and a better consumer option (he calls the music "magnificent"). I intend to listen to this one day and see if I want to add a specialized set on the Mercury years, but it is not high on my to-do list. Hull gives both of these a full A.
No comments:
Post a Comment