THE hard-living, heavy-drinking country star had a near-fatal car accident five years ago.
The experience, he says, "put the fear of God into me". Having given up booze, coffee and cigarettes - all long-standing props in the dusty theatre of country music - he turned to the cleaner sheets of religion. In this double CD, subtitled "George Jones Sings The Greatest Stories Ever Told", the Nashville godfather and onetime husband to Tammy Wynette addresses 24 gospel songs, from Amazing Grace to What A Friend We Have In Jesus. While such generosity can be overwhelming, especially when served with a liberal layer of country music syrup, there is plenty to admire in these honest, workmanlike songs. If too much of a good thing eventually weighs the spirit, there are moments of accidental humour. Just try listening to When Mama Sang (The Angels Stopped To Listen) without raising a smile.
Updated: 16:12 Thursday, June 05, 2003
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