THE POSSUM TAKES A TIPPLE
June 1, 2009 – 4:13 amHe stumbled into the Pasadena on a high note and started on Act Naturally but the band was playing Ragged But Right. Heeeeeear’s George Joooooones!
Click on the panels for a better view or to download artwork.
GEORGE JONES
Texas 1979 [no label, 1CD]
Live at Gilley’s, Pasadena, Houston, Texas, 1979 with Lorrie Morgan. Ex FM stereo. From master cassette.
Even with too much alcohol in his blood, George Jones has the stature to carry this show.
Jones is a trouper from the old school. He apologises just once before he introduces Lorrie Morgan for a set of duets. Jones says he wanted to get right for the show in Houston but ended up being “too right”. A blasted but jovial Jones refers to his ex- as Tammy Why-not and flirts with Morgan to get into the part as they sing a series of Jones’ and Wynette’s hits. “You got to act like Tammy now,” he sniggers.
By the time Jones reaches his medley of hits, you can hear him slurring as he gets higher and higher. It’s as though he’s keeping time with the swift picking of the steel guitar. The show never really slows, not even for the ballads, it’s a fast ride from start to finish. Lorrie Morgan’s part on Near You is perfect, keeping the Silver Fox on his toes.
Jones drinking is legendary. Even the wikipedia has a subsection on it: “Jones’ alcohol consumption was legendary. For a great part of his life he woke up to a screwdriver and spent the rest of the day drinking bourbon. He was given the nickname ‘No-Show Jones’ as a result of his missing many performances during his days of drug abuse.”
This show is for all Jones fans who have never seen The Possum live before. It takes place about four years after his D-I-V-O-R-C-E from Tammy in ‘75. They continued recording and had a hit with Near You in 1977.
- Professor Red 
Note: Click on the highlighted tracks to download the MP3s (these are high quality MP3s - sample rate of 192 kbps). As far as we can ascertain, these tracks have never been officially released on CD.
These tracks are no longer available for download. Kindly email us at [email protected] if you want to download them at a later date.
Track 01. Ragged But Right [DJ intro fades in]
Track 02. Once You’ve Had The Best
Track 03. The Race Is On
Track 04. Bartender Blues
Track 05. Her Name Is
Track 06. I’m Not Ready Yet
Track 07. Still Doing Time [cut]
Track 08. Rolling In My Sweet Baby’s Arms [with Lorrie Morgan]
Track 09. Near You [with Lorrie Morgan]
Track 10. Golden Ring [with Lorrie Morgan] [cut]
Track 11. Who’s Gonna Chop My Baby’s Kindling When I’m Gone [with Lorrie Morgan]
Track 12. He Stopped Loving Her Today
Track 13. Medley: I’ll Share My World With You / Window Up Above / The Grand Tour / Walk Through This World With Me [cut]
Track 14. I’d Rather Die Young Than Grow Old Without You [cut]
George Jones
11 Responses to “THE POSSUM TAKES A TIPPLE”
ACTUALLY the SILVER FOX is charlie RICH and Georges JONES is the POSSOM.
Thanks for the show
JONES is third only to Elvis and Franck
By juju on Jun 1, 2009
Hello Juju
Thanks for your feedback. Cheers.
By bigozine2 on Jun 1, 2009
I’m getting high on this music. It is sublime.
Chills all the way!
By David on Jun 2, 2009
This is what it’s all about A true master
By moke on Jun 2, 2009
Damn, what a show. Great sound, George in full form. Makes you realize how very close this all was to rock and roll.
Brad
By Brad on Jun 25, 2009
Hammered George is better than no George at all!
THANKS
By todd on Jul 13, 2010
This has got to be a show from after 1979 since “He Stopped Loving Her Today” was recorded in early 1980 and released in March. George says in this recording “we do this song every time we’re in Houston” which means the audience already has heard the song. My guess is this show dates from 1982 or 1983.
By Christopher ("Dr.D.") on Jul 19, 2010
Hello Dr.D
Thanks for your comments. We look forward to readers who can provide more information regarding the venue and date of this show. Cheers.
By bigozine2 on Jul 19, 2010
For some time I have been trying to get a copy of “Who’s Gonna Chop My Baby’s Kindling” Can you tell me where I can get it? This is the only disc I have seen that has it and I haven’t been able to source any information on it at all.
By Kiwi on Apr 17, 2011
Kiwi- email BigO at the email address highlighted on this page just above the song track list. Tell them you would like this set re opened. They’ve always been good about it. Include the artist’s name etc. so they know which one you are requesting.
Enjoy
By Sking on Apr 18, 2011
Would love to hear this show - download gone, it seems.
Am listening to “first time live!”, Epic release from 1985. One of my favourite george jones albums. “who’s gonna chop my baby’s kindling” opens side 2, and is my favourite track in the show.
By Carlos Montreal on Jun 8, 2012