The Grand Tour: The Life and Music of George Jones

Given that three years have now elapsed since George Jones’ passing, I had thought, given the storied credentials of the author, Rich Kienzle, who has written many booklets for country CD reissues including those for the definitive Bear Family/Musicor boxed sets on Mr.Jones’, that this book, described as a “definitive biography” would be up there with Colin Escott’s bio (written with co-authors Merritt and MacEwen) of Hank Williams and Peter Guralnick’s 2 volume bio of Elvis.When the book arrived I became a little concerned that the font size was on the large side further reducing the content of the already modest 258 pages of text and then discovered it lacked an index. This book is thus rather superficial and also condescending with Kienzle’s narrative lacking empathy for its subject. While Mr. Jones’ life had its ups and downs, what shines through a great many of his recordings is his native talent that has led many, including Frank Sinatra, to contribute to the opinion that George Jones was the greatest country singer of the 20th century. Even today, long after his prime in the charts, his emotional delivery still cuts through the 24/7 classic country airplay on Sirius/XM’s "Willie’s Roadhouse".While easy to read, Mr. Kienzle's writing focuses more on the demons that plagued Mr. Jones’ personal life - at times reflecting more than a little schadenfreude rather than presenting a balanced and objective study of a gifted performer. The early recordings on Starday, Mercury, UA and Musicor receive little in the way of objective analysis other than reflecting on Pappy Daily’s limitations as a producer. Midway in the book (p.125 actually) Mr. Kienzle abruptly changes stylistic gears and after a rather strange in depth analysis of the perceived comparisons between the 1962 movie "Requiem for a Heavyweight" and Mr. Jones’ life to that point slows down a little to discuss some of the many Billy Sherrill-produced hits Jones recorded for Epic. The commentary on these often seems begrudging if not sour and leaves the reader with the sense that Mr. Kienzle also didn’t think a whole lot of Mr. Sherrill.The book is far from a definitive biography of George Jones, nor does it provide any especially valuable insights to the Nashville music scene of the late 20th century. For that, the reader should read Jimmy McDonough’s excellent "Tammy Wynette: Tragic Country Queen" (Penguin Books, 2011) and Jack Isenhour’s incomparable "He Stopped Loving Her Today: George Jones, Billy Sherrill, and the Pretty-Much Totally True Story of the Making of the Greatest Country Record of All Time" (University Press of Mississippi, 2011) both of which capture, the time, the place and the genius of George Jones.A minor error (p. 73) - Bobby Vee never toured with Buddy Holly - in fact they never crossed paths - Bobby substituted for Buddy after the fateful Clear Lake plane crash.

This book is a less personal, less detailed, and believe it or not a lesser quality written book than George's Autobiography, "I Lived toTell it All." It rushes through his career with few quotes, few stories, and basic knowledge of Georges life and career. All this writer has accomplished is an obvious attempt at cashing in on George Jones's death without adding any new or detailed accounts of his life and artistry or even adding any personal judgment of George's talent. He glosses over many years and the turmoil of Georges personal life. This is a rushed, uninteresting account of a very interesting man.

I hated for this book to end. What an interesting man. I have read just about all I can find on George Jones and this is one of the best. I had the pleasure of seeing him four times and he was (no matter how drunk, stoned or sober) the best singer I ever heard and yes that includes Sinatra who said Jones was the second best singer. Sorry Frank, George was the best.

Seller gets kudos. Am still reading the book but get sidtracked by my ideosyncratic need to stop and and listen to the songs described. Most important lesson is that Jones exemplified vocal bending of notes like we do on guitar. I never thought of that before.

My son read the book and he really enjoyed reading all about George and his life. He didn't leave much out of the book.

George Jones was a glorious mess and the book explains how and why with plenty of details.The writing isn't particularly sparkling, but it gets the job done for those who are fascinated aboutthe great voice and the not so great man.

How hateful he was to everyone around him who tried to help.

Loved the book. Fast delivery

This latest biography is much less critical of Jones than the notes Kienzle wrote for the Bear Family box sets. It's a straightforward biography with none of Bob Allen's tortured prose in his book, or Peanutt Montgomery's self-serving promotions, or even Dolly Carlise's tabloid style, and I don't even remember Jim Brown's book.Leaning on hundreds of news cuttings, interviews by historian Andrew Brown and Kienzle himself (with Melba in 1995 to several people in 2015), it's not earth-shattering with new information, a couple of minor points apart, or Kienzle's own opinions. I enjoyed it very much and didn't notice any glaring errors. It's not packed with details of recording sessions, although Hargus Robbins, Charlie McCoy and others comment on Billy Sherrill's producing style.What comes through in the early years is George's relationship with Pappy Daily, and how it deteriorated through the Musicor years as George realised Daily's hands-off production and reliance on Glad's catalogue of second rate songs were hindering his career, especially in the late '60's when he saw the care Sherrill exercised on Tammy's sessions.Several well-known episodes in George's career are omitted entirely, or skipped over. It could have been longer at 261 pages, and the 14-picture selection is scant, although two from the 50's were new to me - I'd never seen a photo of songwriter Darrell Edwards (looking like Archie Campell) before.All in all the best of the biographies, although it was noticeable Nancy was not interviewed or contributed, perhaps because she's writing her own book.

Grand book

Gave to my dad. Hugh fan. He loves it

A well written insightful look at the life of of Country Musics best ever.

great book!! easy reading!!