"The King is Gone (And So Are You)" - George Jones

One of the greatest talents which George Jones possessed was his ability to tell a story in a lyrical quality; unique in that he didn’t talk over the music, as in the “talking” type of blues. He actually sang the story. In this one written by Roger Ferris, Mr. Jones laments the loss of his beloved, and sits down to have a chat with himself, Jim Beam, Elvis, and even Fred from the jelly glasses he is drinking from in his drunken revelry. 

The results are both sad and comical as he discovers that his drinking is the cycle which precipitated his whole dilemma in the first place. I particularly like this live performance, for that is when Mr. Jones was always at his best; live and working the audience.

"The King is Gone (And So Are You)" by Roger Ferris

Last night I broke the seal on a Jim Beam decanter

That looks like Elvis

I soaked the label off a Flintstone Jelly Bean jar

I cleared us off a place on that

One little table that you left us

And pulled me up a big ole piece of floor.

I pulled the head off Elvis

 Filled Fred up to his pelvis

Yabba Dabba Doo, the King is gone

And so are you.

'Round about ten we all got to talking

'Bout Graceland, Bedrock and such

The conversation finally turned to women

But they said they didn't get around too much

Elvis said, "Find 'em young."

And Fred said, "Old Fashioned girls are fun."

Yabba Dabba Doo, the King is gone

And so are you.

Later on it finally hit me

That you wouldn't be 'a comin' home no more

'Cause this time I know you won't forgive me

Like all of them other times before

Then I broke Elvis's nose

Pouring the last drop from his toes

Yabba Dabba Doo, the King is gone

And so are you.

Yabba Dabba Doo, the King is gone

And so are you.

Last night I broke the seal on a Jim Beam decanter

That looks like Elvis

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George Jones - The Johnny Cash Show (1971)

I used to look forward to Wednesday nights just to catch a bit of Johnny Cash on his show, taped at the Grand Ole Opry, as well as hear the other guests. In this segment from April 15, 1970 George Jones does a short set consisting of “White Lightnin’” with Johnny Cash, and then goes on to do a medley of his own with “She Thinks I Still Care”, “The Love Bug”, “The Race is On” and then, curiously, back to “The Love Bug” as a finish. All in 4 minutes! He is backed by a group whom Johnny refers to as “The Jones Boys”, but I’m not sure who they are. Looking it up might spoil the memory so I’ll let it be.

The Johnny Cash Show lasted barely 2 seasons. It didn’t have the commercial appeal in the big city market, and that’s a shame, as the groups and other artists featured on this show went on th influence; and in some cases already had; the bands of the 1970’s and even today when you go hear groups like Phish doing George Jones songs. And the shows were really great TV themselves.

On this typical night, Johnny featured Judy Collins and Bobby Goldsboro as his main guests along with George Jones. He performed with each artist and then, as was his habit on the show, left the stage to them. He also performed regularly with June Carter Cash doing duets and also reciting poetry. On this particular night Johnny read an anti-drug poem. This was brave stuff to do if you were trying to make it on TV in 1970, when pop was king, along with all the “special” effects that went into making most music.

I really miss the old variety shows. There was something for everyone in the family to enjoy. Anyone my age will remember Sunday nights watching Ed Sullivan with their family. It was like a ritual. And there seems to have been a different show for each night. Red Skelton, Dean Martin, the list goes on and on. It’s lucky for me that they are all preserved on You Tube.  

"Telephone Line" by Jeff Lynne with Richard Tandy (Acoustic)

Telephone Line

(Jeff Lynne)

Hello. How are you?

Have you been alright, through all those lonely lonely lonely lonely lonely nights

That's what I'd say. I'd tell you everything

If you'd pick up that telephone yeah yeah yeah

Hey. How you feelin?

Are you still the same?

Don't you realize the things we did, we did, were all for real, not a dream?

I just can't believe

They've all faded out of view yeah yeah yeah yeah yeah

Doowop dooby doo doowop doowah doolang

Blue days black nights doowah doolang

I look into the sky, the love you need ain't gonna see you through

And I wonder why the little things you planned ain't coming true

Oh oh Telephone Line, give me some time, I'm living in twilight

Oh oh Telephone Line, give me some time, I'm living in twilight

Ok. So no one's answering

Well can't you just let it ring a little longer longer longer oh oh ooohhhhh

I'll just sit tight through shadows of the night

And let it ring for evermore oh oh ooohhhhh yeah yeah yeah

Doowop dooby doo doowop doowah doolang

Blue days black nights doowah doolang.

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George Jones - Who's Gonna Fill Your Shoes?