George Jones' 'Birth of a Legend' box set due in February
German record label Bear Family has assembled a new George Jones box set that compiles the recordings Jones made early in his career for Starday and Mercury Records.
Due out Feb. 24, "Birth of a Legend: The Truly Complete Starday and Mercury Recordings 1954-1961" is comprised of 200 songs—including 20 previously unreleased takes and songs—on six discs. Jones, who was born in Texas in 1931, recorded most of the songs on "Birth of a Legend" while in his mid-to-late 20s.
The box set also includes some of Jones' early hits, like "White Lightning" and "Window Up Above," the rockabilly recordings he made under the name "Thumper Jones" and collaborations with Margie Singleton and Sonny Burns, among others. A 174-page hardcover book that contains a biography, discography and photos will accompany the CDs.
Selections from the box set can be heard in a short video Bear Family posted to its YouTube account on Monday. More clips can be streamed at bear-family.com.
