April 27, 2013

"As you can imagine, I have had occasion to feel the blues."

Clarence Thomas wrote on Supreme Court letterhead to George Jones in 1993. (Jones had sent letters and cassettes to Thomas.)
I have listened to your music for over a decade. The lyrics so often captured just how I felt....

You may be interested to know that I used one of your songs to allay the concerns of my bride's mother. Prior to our wedding, she expressed some concern about this being my second marriage. At that time, I had been listening repeatedly to one of your albums which unfortunately is packed away. I believe it was entitled Wine Colored Roses. I apologize in advance if that is wrong. One of the songs contained the lyrics: 'I put a golden band on the right left hand this time; and the right left hand put a golden band on mine.' As I said before, your music has captured so much of my own feelings.

26 comments:

traditionalguy said...

Clarence Thomas has the Georgia born and bred man's love for a singer like George Jones. It's a deep connection.

But Duluth Minnesota also has a deep connection.

Culture is at the level where you find it.

somefeller said...

I hear Justice Roberts has the same feelings about the music of Black Sabbath (Ozzy Osbourne period, not Ronnie James Dio or anyone else). Or maybe I'm thinking of someone else.

edutcher said...

Jones, unlike a lot of "hip" types, probably treasured that letter.

Bill, Republic of Texas said...

I don't know if its true or not, but I heard Thomas and wife drive an RV every summer and stay at campgrounds and even Walmart loats!

He seems to be a great guy. I wish more politicians were this in touch.

Eric the Fruit Bat said...

Just as there was a time when everybody crapped in the woods, there was a time when nobody googled album titles.

Deb said...
This comment has been removed by the author.
Deb said...

If "He Stopped Loving Her Today" is the saddest song ever written, "this song is the most poignant.

(interesting slip up in my first attempt at posting this)

Unknown said...

I never could understand what people like about his music. It sounds whiny to me. I read that it took months to make a useable recording of "He Stopped Loving Her Today" and I wonder why they bothered.

I also wonder why they bother to make rap and hip hop.

Bit, it's a good thing there are people in this world who make music that's meaningful to others. If a person can find comfort and meaning in certain kinds of music I'm all for it.

Deb said...

..and I don't believe George Jones ever made excuses for his shortcomings. All this is making me very sad, I grew up with this music and it reminds me very much of my father...

ricpic said...

Notice the way he doesn't rush it or push it in any way? A total pro.

sakredkow said...

So next time someone asks you, "What do Supreme Court Justice Clarence Thomas, Keith Richards and Elvis Costello have in common?" you know the answer: All of them are big fans of George Jones.

From the article. Amen.

sakredkow said...

Jones, unlike a lot of "hip" types, probably treasured that letter.

Sneer sneer snarl

Æthelflæd said...

"Walk Through This World with Me" is one of the most beautiful love songs ever.

rhhardin said...

Signature George Jones is hitting a loud high note on key without vibrato.

The particular tune here has a thousand lyrics and shows up all over as different songs.

rhhardin said...

George Jones and Randy Travis were my favorite, Few Old Country Boys, long ago, but I wore it out eventually.

Travis is real country, as evidenced by his mugshot recently.

rhhardin said...

Country song writer Harlan Howard:

Every time I get married, I get three songs out of it. Every time I get divorced, I get three more.

dreams said...

I liked George Jones especially "He stopped loving her today" but like a lot of country songs, some of his songs were a little much as in too maudlin.

tiger said...

"Bill, Republic of Texas said...
I don't know if its true or not, but I heard Thomas and wife drive an RV every summer and stay at campgrounds and even Walmart loats!

He seems to be a great guy. I wish more politicians were this in touch."

About 12 years back I was working in a 'Borders' book store and Chief Justice Rhenquist(sp) came in. It was summer and he was wearing plaid shorts (THE HORROR!)and a T-shirt. I got to say 'Hi' as he was getting into the back seat of a HUGE Buick convertible (the top was down) driven an older couple.

It was pretty darned cool.

eddie willers said...

It was the high tech lynching of Thomas that took me from being a lifelong Democrat to a vow of never voting for a Democrat again.

Just another instance of why I was right.

jr565 said...

Clarence Thomas is a lot deeper than the media would ever let on.

Beach Brutus said...

dreams at 11:38 said: "I liked George Jones especially 'He stopped loving her today' but like a lot of country songs, some of his songs were a little much as in too maudlin."

A lot of folks just don't "get" country music. Nothing is as cathartic as a sad country song -- it's like group therapy all by yourself.

As for maudlin try John Anderson's with Merle Haggard)cover of "Long Black Veil."

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jUMznQ3gWhc

William said...

Apparently Jones initiated the correspondence, and Thomas was considerate enough to respond in kind. By all outward indications Thomas is a decent man. Ponder the way he has been treated over the years compared to, say, Sharpe James and Ray Nagin and weep.

Rich B said...

George Jones had a lot to be sorry for. He made the most of it. RIP Mr. Jones.

Gary Rosen said...

RIP. A great, great singer.

ilvuszq said...

Thank G#D for CDs. His body may be gone but that voice will be around for a long time.

Rocketeer said...

Isn't Randy Travis to dude that married his step mom? My brother used to call him "Oedipus Tex" because of it.