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The idea of twang king Alan Jackson pairing up with Alison Krauss for an album of love songs might seem heretical to some, especially if they heard only the first cut, the adult-contemporary ballad "Anywhere on Earth You Are." But producer Krauss, whom Jackson approached to make a traditional bluegrass record, always knew there was a sensuous heart beating beneath his aw-shucks demeanor, one that would fit perfectly with the intimate repertoire, genre-bending musical framework, and virtuoso players she'd always chosen for herself. (Robert Lee Castleman, one of Krauss's favorite writers, weighs in with four tunes, and Ron Block, Jerry Douglas, and Dan Tyminski, Krauss's Union Station cohorts, anchor the band.) Jackson, it turns out, also wanted a chance to reflect on the ups and downs of his long marriage, apart from 1998's daring, spoken-word hit "I'll Go On Loving You," a far lustier admission than anything included here. If there's a downside to this brilliant, if unlikely pairing, it's that Krauss's somber program could benefit from something a tad more libidinous or uptempo. But what is here is so beautifully chosen and performed (with spare, affecting harmony vocals by Lee Ann Womack, Cheryl White, Sidney and Suzanne Cox, and Krauss herself) that it's hard to quibble. Throughout, and especially on the ballad "Wait a Minute" and his own dusted-off "A Woman's Love" (1998), Jackson, who explores his rich, lower register more frequently than in the past, comes across like Don Williams in his prime. He's a middle-aged man taking stock of what and who matters most to him in life, and speaking his heart without artifice. In the title track, a song so bone-marrow deep it might bring you to your knees, Jackson declares, "I love you like all little children love pennies." That line that may sound odd and superficial by itself, but in Jackson's nuanced reading, it takes on a nearly spiritual yearning. This album, like the gospel Precious Memories before it, proves that while Jackson--the most nominated performer in CMA history--may be nearing 50, he's not ready to quit challenging himself as an artist. --Alanna Nash More from Alan Jackson 
Precious Memories | 
A Lot About Livin' (And a Little 'Bout Love) | 
When Somebody Loves You | 
Drive | 
Under the Influence | 
Greatest Hits 2 |
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Spotlight customer reviews:
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Customer Rating:  
Summary: Not Alan Jackson
Comment: It has only one or two good songs on it. I know he wanted to try something new but he needs to stick with true country music. Like his lastest cd "Good Times'"
Customer Rating:
Summary: Great Mello Country Album
Comment: This is by far my favorite album of 2006. It is subtle album, but that just means it needs to resonate in you for a while. Listen to it quitely and you will appreciate its mood.
Customer Rating:
Summary: Pure Country Blues
Comment: This CD was excellent and pure. I admit it was not what I was expecting from AJ--but the more I listened, the more I fell in love with this album. Alan Jackson departs from primarily using guitar--replacing it with rich and amazing piano accompaniment--It adds a different dimension to the music. Simply put, this is one of the best country blues accomplishments in recent memory. Isn't it amazing how we don't expect artist's to mature and grow as they record new albums? For those who do not appreciate this album, go back to your old CDs or spend your time and money listening to country cover bands at your local honky-tonk; better yet, stick to one of those "cookie cutter" country artists like Rascal Flatts. AJ is an excellent musician who deserves to grow. This is a very mature and excellent album by Alan Jackson and it deserves to be listened to--again and again.
Customer Rating:
Summary: very disappointing
Comment: I should've listened to cuts from this cd before buying it at the store,but I've always liked Alan's songs, so I figured this would be a good cd also, like many of his others.Sorry to say, but, I'm very disappointed with this one.It is a very bluesey and slow moving bunch of songs, none of which were really that good at all.It would be easy to pass this one up, if I had heard some sample cuts.To me, this is not the Alan Jackson that I expected.
Customer Rating:
Summary: like red on a rose by Alan Jackson
Comment: This had to be the most depressing, slow singing cd I've ever heard by Alan Jackson. There isn't even a quick song on the whole recording to pep things up. It's a chore to listen and brings my spirits down. It's as if he recorded this cd in a very low point of his life. Very disappointing. I'll definitely be checking the recordings before I purchase blindly again, which was never an issue with his music before.
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