I Am What I Am (1980)

I Am What I Am is an album by American country music artist George Jones, released in 1980 on Epic Records label. On July 4, 2000, the CD version was reissued with four previously unreleased bonus tracks on the Legacy Recordings label.

Reception

I Am What I Am peaked at number 7 on the Billboard country album charts, his first top 10 album in five years, and even appeared on the Billboard Top 200 at 132.

The Boston Globe determined that Jones "is unquestionably in top form throughout this work, with effective production by Billy Sherrill which enhances the singer's pure country delivery." Stephen Thomas Erlewine of AllMusic wrote that "the production is commercial without being slick, the songs are balanced between aching ballads and restrained honky tonk numbers, and Jones gives a nuanced, moving performance...like the best country music, these are lived-in songs that are simple, direct, and emotionally powerful, even with the smooth production."

I Am What I Am was ranked 14th on Rolling Stones' 2022 list of the 100 Greatest Country albums.

Personnel

• George Jones – vocals
• Billy Sanford – guitar
• Pete Wade – guitar
• Phil Baugh – guitar
• Pete Drake – pedal steel guitar
• Henry Strzelecki – bass guitar
• Jerry Carrigan – drums
• Hargus "Pig" Robbins – piano
• Charlie McCoy – harmonica
• Bob Moore – upright bass
• Bob Wray – bass guitar