By j. poet | Published December 2021
George Jones is widely acknowledged as the finest country singer of all time, and Los Angeles-based singer Staci Griesbach takes 14 of his best and makes them her own on this new songbook release.
Sparse accompaniment from Artyom Manukyan’s cello and Jeremy Siskind’s piano intensify the feeling of desolation on “He Stopped Loving Her Today.” Griesbach’s vocal is marked by long sustains that make the feelings of loss and grief palpable. “Golden Ring” gets a smoking horn-driven R&B arrangement. “Why Baby Why” features Stuart Duncan’s fiddle swinging madly between Bob Will’s Texas and Grappelli’s Paris, while “The Race Is On” starts with a slow syncopated verse sung over Joe Baggs’ organ and Kevin Axt’s sparse bass. Griesbach slows down “A Picture of Me Without You” even further than Jones’ funereal version. Her forlorn vocal expresses the feelings of an empty heart.
My George Jones Songbook: The Grand Tour; He Stopped Loving Her Today; A Good Year For The Roses; He Thinks I Still Care; Walk Through This World With Me; A Picture Of Me Without You; Golden Ring; Bartender’s Blues; Why Baby Why; Take Me; White Lightning; You’re Still On My Mind; Tender Years (Tes Tendres Années); The Race Is On. (49:25)
Personnel: Staci Griesbach, vocals, backing vocals, producer; Jeremy Siskind, piano, arranger; Otmaro Ruiz, piano, arranger; Tamir Hendelman, piano, arranger; Addison Frei, arranger; Rich Hinman, pedal steel; Kevin Axt, bass; Jake Reed, drums; Artyom Manukyan, cello; Bob Sheppard, flute, tenor saxophone; Bruce Forman, guitar; Nando Raio, bass; Aaron Serfaty, drums, percussion; Stuart Duncan, fiddle; Joe Bagg, organ; Willie Murillo, trumpet, horn arrangement; Rahsaan Barber, tenor saxophone; Brian Clancy, tenor saxophone; Ryan Dragon, trombone; Willie Murillo, trumpet; Brian Clancy, tenor saxophone; John Hatton, bass.
Ordering Info: stacigriesbach.com
