Customer Reviews

The Greatest Hits Collection

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Alan's brand of traditional country, with just enough of a contemporary edge to appeal to a modern generation, provides a contrast with the prevailing pop country normally recorded by Nashville's major label singers. This collection contains all his big hits from the early part of his career.

Many of the songs are upbeat, happy songs but I was drawn to his music originally by Here in the real world, a sad song that Alan delivers superbly, which was the title track of his debut album.

The album opens with Chattahoochie, a very upbeat song that should get those toes tapping. There are so many great songs here, including Gone country (an amusing song about failed pop and folk singers trying to sing country), Midnight in Montgomery (an ode to Hank Williams), I don't even know your name (which Alan wrote as a joke) and Someday (about always putting things off to be done some day).

Alan writes or co-writes most of his own material, but has also demonstrated his brilliance with covers. On this collection, you will find covers of Tall tall trees (George Jones), Summertime blues (Eddie Cochran) and Mercury blues.

This collection covers the hits from the albums Here in the real world, Don't rock the jukebox, A lot about living and Who I am, together with two songs especially recorded for this collection - I'll try and the previously-mentioned Tall tall trees. As I write this, there is no volume two, but there is certainly enough material for such a volume.

There isn't a lame song in this whole collection. Not only is Jackson a superstar for his talent as a performer, but his copious gift as a songwriter will ensure his fame long after he's gone from this earthly realm.

He penned 15 of the 20 songs on this CD, among them many of my favorites like "She's Got the Rhythm" and most of all, "Midnight in Montgomery"...the entire CD is worth buying for this song alone...a moving tribute to Hank Williams, with a haunting, beautiful melody.

The musicianship thoughout is top-notch. Just listen to "I Don't Even Know Your Name"...it's spectacular, and those guitars on "Mercury Blues" !...just amazing. The booklet is great, with lyrics and commentary by Jackson about each song (though you'll need a magnifying glass to read it, it's worth it), and lots of photos, including a back page "centerfold" of Mr. Long 'n' Lean himself that's really, I mean really good.

I recomend Alan Jackson and his music (particularly this album)as a start up for those who have never been about to even try listening to country music. Once you hear it you'll love it. Songs here are very well balanced from dynamic and "full of pep" Chatahoochie, educative "I don't even know your name" (straight tequilla may place you in a very unfavourable situation)to nostalgic "Home".
So if you're not already "Gone country" at least give it a try now.

To name this album a Greatest Hits Collection is is somewhat modest after you listen to it because I think this album goes beyond greatest hits. These songs span the whole globe of country music no matter what kind of it you like the best. There are great love songs, songs that'll make you laugh, tribute songs, and good ol' country music in the rest. There's not a bad song on here. The country song that got me to start listening to country in the first place is on here (Don't Rock the Jukebox). I used to just like rock 'n roll but I credit Alan Jackson the most for getting me hooked on country music. This was also the first country music album that I bought. Now i have a collection of at least 20.

Alan Jackson is one of the few current country artists that adhere to the country music traditions established by Merle Haggard and George Jones. This CD has it all -- upbeat honky tonk, gorgeous ballads, great songwriting, and Jackson's classic baritone. This CD is a must for not only country music fans, but fans of great songwriting in general, no matter the genre.

Country is the only music I particulary like other than oldies! This album is a great work of art with 20 songs! Ive listened to the cd over and over again till I memerized the cd. It ties in with traditional country music such as George Jones! I like the fast beat to his music which makes people feel better rather than making one depresed like some of George Strait's music does! Who cares if he advertised for Ford changing some of the lyrics to Mercury Blues. He is making money off great music! This album features Alan's best with each song having a meaning to it! I would like to approve Alan for his diligent work for keeping the traditional country music alive!

These songs are a good reason to listen to country music. Whether it be "Chatahoochie," "Chasin' That Neon Rainbow," "Don't Rock The Jukebox," or more subtle songs like "I'd Love You All Over Again," "Midnight In Montgomery," or my favorite, Livin' On Love," they are all great songs, up-tempo, mid-tempo, or ballad. And for the person who berated the recent Ford commercials on the review on June 16, lighten up!! They are only using simple, small parts of the song for a purpose. The only thing Alan Jackson is doing for a buck is making great music. That's no crime!!! These reviews are used for rating albums, not for childish, as well as petty, griping. As for the album, it was great and keep it coming, Alan!!

Alan Jackson is a true country singer who sticks to traditional country songs. This album features many of those songs such as "Midnight in Montgomery," "Chasin' That Neon Rainbow," "Don't Rock the Jukebox," and "Tall Tall Trees." It features a very impressive collection of songs that will go down as some of the greatest ever recorded. I rank this as one of my favorite albums, and I'm glad I got it. AJ is truly a great singer. If you can find this album, get it!

Alan Jackson is one of those few stars who's made a career in the nineties out of sticking to his roots. George Strait's another I can think of...and Randy Travis...you gettin' the picture?

A traditionalist through-and-through, Alan Jackson is country to the core. Hell, his hat tells you all, but that's not enough to make a great artist. Nope, you need a smooth, country voice...a kind heart...one hell of a talent for songwriting...with those qualities, no one's gonna dispute that Alan Jackson is a great artist. No one.

From such honky-tonkers as "Don't Rock the Jukebox;" to more rockin (but still country, ya'll) songs like "Mercury Blues; to heart-wrenching ballads like "Who Says You Can't Have It All;" to confessional pieces like "Home"--this CD has it all. If it's country, it's here. This is Alan Jackson's early years...and guess what? He's still making music like this today, and he's still churning out #1 hits. In my book, that's incredible. "Greatest Hits Collection" is definitely a CD that all country music fans should own. And for those of you out there who listen to some other type of music...buy this CD and see what you're missing.

Alan Jackson is country music. Pure and simple. You can always count on him to deliver real, solid, traditional country music. This CD, full of 20 greatest hits, proves that. Jackson jumps from happy, up-tempo toe tappers like "Chatahoochee", "Tall, Tall Trees", "Mercury Blues", "Summertime Blues", and a few more, to pretty, down home country ballads like "Here In The Real World"(which sounds like a song George Jones should really cover), "Who Says You Can't Have It All", "Wanted", "Home", and a slew of others. Jackson is a lyricist who tells it like it is. There is nothing fake or phoney about him. He's the real deal. His voice is crystal clear with a pinch of classic country twang. Many of his lyrics can be fun at one moment, and then serious and very truthful the next. His silly hit "I Don't Even Know Your Name" falls into the 'fun' category. Jackson has been able to appeal to both kinds of country fans. Hardcore traditional fans, and more modern type of country fans. He has been able to write and record songs that can please both at the same time. He's really the country music artist for the people. His music will most definitley be looked back on the way people look at George Strait, George Jones, and others. Country music would be at a loss without him. Hurry up Alan!, where's greatest hits volume 2?!.