George Jones (We Can Make It)

Untitled

George Jones, also titled George Jones (We Can Make It) was the 1972 country music studio album released by George Jones in April 1972. The release was Jones' 46th studio album release since a debut from 16 years previous. Also as a highlight in his career, it was the first release made on Jones' new label, Epic Records.

The album charted very well for a George Jones album, eventually rising to #10 on the country charts. The album included some other artist's hits from 1971, including Charley Pride's "Kiss an Angel Good Morning" and former Jones Boys bass player, Johnny Paycheck's "She's All I Got." It's title track "We Can Make It" peaked out at #6 on the US Country chart.

Background

For years, Jones had been staying back while his long-time manager and producer, Pappy Daily, made deal after deal with label after label. After taking him to Mercury (1957-1962) Daily signed Jones to United Artists (1962-1964) where he saw his biggest success during the 1960's. After leaving UA in early '64, he signed with Musicor Records (1964-1971), and saw a dropoff of his sound quality and sales. However, his biggest success was yet to come, and it would start his third wife, Tammy Wynette. The two often crossed paths during tours, and Jones proclaimed his love for her in 1969, and the two later married. It was through their inseparable relationship that Jones met Wynette's producer, Billy Sherrill. Soon, the two began recording, and he even became Jones producer full-time, having him sign with Epic Records (1972-1991). Soon after signing, Sherrill began producing the album's track recordings.

Recording and Composition

Recording

George Jones recorded in a session in November 1971, which wrapped up 8 songs, all of which were included: "I'll Take You My World," "Kiss An Angel Good Morning," "All the Praises," "She's All I Got," "The Last Letter," "The King," "Try It, You'll Like It, and the final cut, "Let's Make History." His very next session was recorded on January 12, 1972, where he recorded "We Can Make It" and "One of These Days." The final recording was made during a session on February 10, which cut "Loving You Could Never Be Better." All the tracks were recorded at the Columbia Recording Studio; 804 16th Ave. South, in Nashville, Tennessee.

Composition

Side one tracks

Most of the tracks are previous hits, and nearly all the songs listed were written by different songwriters: We Can Make It was written by the album's producer Billy Sherrill alongside Glenn Sutton. The song is the best efforts by Jones of his early years with Epic. It was released in February 1972 and peaked at #6 on the US Country chart. The two also wrote the next song on the album, I'll Take You to My World. Kiss An Angel Good Morning was a #1 hit with Charley Pride in 1971, and written by Ben Peters. All the Praises was written by J. Strickland and was later recorded by Connie Smith for one of her LP releases in 1973. During the mid to the late-1960's, Jones toured and recorded with Johnny Paycheck as a key member in his Jones Boys Band, often singing backup in studio sessions and live performances. After leaving the Boys in 1969, he went to pursue his own career, which basically launched with his first Top 10 chart since 1966. She's All I Got peaked at #2 after being written by Gary Bonds and Jerry Williams.

Side two tracks

The Last Letter was written by Rex Griffin and is easily one the most unappreciated tracks on the album. The next track listed is quite possibly the best, Loving You Could Never Be Better was one of the best recordings of Jones' career, displaying the passion for his love to his new wife, Tammy. The song was written by Betty Belew with C. and Earl Montgomery. The King was written by Roger D. Ferris in 1970. The next upbeat listing was Try It, You'll Like It, which was written by Jimmy Peppers and later included as the b-side track to We Can Make It. Track 10 was One Of These Days written by Earl Montgomery, and the last track included Let's Make History was written by J. Strickland.

Track listing

Side One

No.	Title	Writer(s)	Length
1.	"We Can Make It"	Billy Sherrill, Glenn Sutton	2:06
2.	"I'll Take You My World"	B. Sherrill, G. Sutton	3:01
3.	"Kiss An Angel Good Morning"	Ben Peters	2:10
4.	"All the Praises"	J. Strickland	2:36
5.	"She's All I Got"	Gary Bonds, Jerry Williams	2:52

Side Two

No.	Title	Writer(s)	Length
1.	"The Last Letter"	Rex Griffin	2:55
2.	"Loving You Could Never Be Better"	Betty Belew, C. Montgomery, Earl Montgomery	3:05
3.	"The King"	Roger D. Ferris	2:32
4.	"Try It, You'll Like It"	Jimmy Peppers	2:05
5.	"One of These Days"	Earl Montgomery	3:06
6.	"Let's Make History"	J. Strickland	2:02

Reception

The back of the original LP album cover contains an intro to Jones by his wife:

"No one knows how I felt when George asked me to write the liner notes of this album. Inasmuch as George has always been my idol and inspiration in the music business, and is now my husband, it makes it very difficult to express the emotion I felt."

"Immediately following the initial emotion came a bit of panic. I wondered: could I express myslef objectively,? I closed my eyes, while listening to some of the cuts from the album, turning my thoughts to the time when I was just and avid fan who still got starry-eyed over the performance of such a superstar. I found, to my surprise, as I went back in thought, that I felt the same then as I do now."

"George is a very unique person. He is completely natural. He thinks and feels intensely. His compassion for life and people is a quality that reaches out across stage lights through studio microphones to the hearts of millions of people on a personal basis. George Jones' fans are very loyal and sincere in response to everything that he gives them (and he has given his all in this album)."

"Billy Sherrill has nurtured and molded the qualities of George into a new and fascinating sound. Some of the songs are surprisingly different and some are predictably George. As a co-performer, I am sure it is what everyone has been waiting for... As his wife, I feel a little awed, a oppurtunity to express my thoughts." — Tammy Wynette

Professional ratings

Review scores
Source	Rating
Allmusic	link

This album is best described by Tammy, however, from the point of view of his wife, this is a critic example: Allmusic's Chris Woodstra writes:

"George Jones's first solo outing for Epic in 1972 is a rough concept album built around his own optimism and joy about his marriage to Tammy Wynette, even though cracks were already beginning to show in their real-life relationship. Jones' voice sounds mature, settled, and smooth -- a perfect combination with Billy Sherrill's decidedly non-country, slick production style."

The album is one of George Jones' best sounds of the 1970's, and went somewhat unnoticed by country listeners. The album charted at #10 (US Country), though it easily has the ability to peak in the Top 10. Some may blame the lyrical content, but the album is a superb listen.

Chart positions

Album

Chart (1973)	Peak position
Billboard US Country	10

External links

• George Jones' Official Website
• Record Label