Customer Reviews

Like Red on a Rose

5 star:		(60)
4 star:		(21)
3 star:		(12)
2 star:		(14)
1 star:		(13)

 

 

After listening to this cd and before I read the other reviews I had come to a few conclusions that others appear to have come to the opposite.
1. Based on most of what is called "Country Music" today this album is Country with a capital C. 2. As we all know, Alan can sure sing rockabilly and honky-tonk , but he can take a ballad and sign it like few can except classic singers like Ray Price, George Jones, Charlie Pride , Ralph Stanley and others. Both his choice of ballads and his arrangements are top notch. After his wonderful Gospel cd, this is another gem.

What is amazing to me about Alan Jackson is the fact that he is considered just a country artist. Listening to the phenomenal LIKE RED ON A ROSE, you often wonder if you are really listening to ONLY a country album. If I were to answer that question, I would say no-- Jackson has so much vocal appeal here that he should have no problem crossing genres to appeal to a broader audience than just the country fans that have lauded and followed his throughout his very successful career. Sure, LIKE RED ON A ROSE didn't open with the largest numbers of Jackson's career and also there is the possibility that where "quantity" is concerned it may not end up selling as much as his older, more "classic" albums, but in my opinion, LIKE RED ON A ROSE just may very well be my favorite country album of 2006 and also it just maybe one of my favorite albums of the entire year.

From the get go, the first track, you can tell that Jackson isn't taking the audience on the standard ride. One needn't even necessarily listen to know that this album, produced by Bluegrass standout Alison Krauss, is going to feature a different timbre, a different feel, and have a different appeal. Opening track "Anywhere on Earth" confirms this theory as a simplistic arrangement with prominent piano lines and subtle, reserved vocals from Jackson take over. Upon first listen, you think that Jackson is being too soft or selling out, but truth be told, the performance chills beyond its obvious simplicity.

"Good Imitation Of The Blues" yet takes a different approach than "Anywhere On Earth". Here, electric piano (in country music mind you!) is employed, specifically yielding a clavinet sound. Coupled with that soulful, "bluesy" sound is then a fiddle and an electric guitar. Just the arrangement/production here make for an interesting stirring listen, minus Jackson himself. Despite the instrumentation, the track remains light, but yields enough soul for the most soulful listener. Is it brilliance defined? I think so!

As with most title tracks, "Like Red On A Rose" isn't the biggest standout of the album, yet it is much better than a majority of title-tracks. Here, there is again a nice lazy feel, this time in a six-feel, with background vocals supporting Jackson's lead in select spots. Not my favorite, but still first-rate at minimum. "Nobody Said It Would Be Easy" is another strong, consistent track, making for 4 straight strong tracks in a row.

"Don't Change On Me" is definitely one of my favorites on this exceptional album. While this track does obviously have a country appeal, there is a certain soul here, moreso than on Jackson simplistic PRECIOUS MEMORIES album. While that affair was traditional Gospel, there is a more inherent soulfulness here as Jackson croons over lovely organ and piano work. After the electric feel on "Don't Change Me", Jackson returns to more earthy roots with the acoustic-based "Firefly Song", which again features top-rate songwriting if nothing else.

"Wait A Minute" is my "other" favorite, featuring lovely piano, sparse guitar, rhythm, and the most tasteful organ performance of the year. The laziness of this track is the desired sound and it makes for a stunning performance. Jackson's phrasing here in particular is among the best it is through out this entire "tour de force". After "Wait A Minute", Jackson again doesn't let down with the great "Had It Not Been You" and "Woman's Love". From there, there is the first slightly pronounced decline in the quality, but it is so subtle that proceeding tracks are all above average.

With that said, LIKE RED ON A ROSE is my favorite country album of 2006. It trumps or competes head to head with the best of country in 2006 which includes the low profile Dixie Chick and Johnny Cash's exceptional posthumously released AMERICAN V. Touch competition, but Alan Jackson may just have the edge with this exceptional release. 4 stars+.

this is a little different alan jackson. alison krauss is involved so there are a lot of beautiful songs, but its just different. my husband doesnt like it cuz he says its nothing like alan's music. so if you like alison krauss give it a try. if you are a diehard classic alan fan, it might not be your favorite.

I am one of Alan's biggest fans, but this new CD disappoints me. AJ, please go back to making traditional country music. Take a lesson from George Srait. Keep it real.

This is Alan Jackson meets Frank Sinatra. Don't buy this just because you like Alan Jackson. Other than "Red Like A Rose", there is nothing on here that I ever care to hear again.

I picked up "Like Red on a Rose" a few weeks ago, and haven't stopped listening to it since. This CD is just absolutely gorgeous! It has been quite awhile since any album moved me as much as this one (Gary Allan's "Tough All Over"), but this one stirs a different set of emotions. Alan's vocals here are outstanding, the arrangements are magical and the song choices/writing are top notch. Not your standard "country radio" fare, as this rises so far above the run of the mill tunes being put out by the stadium-fillers (you all know who I mean). Having been a longtime fan of both AJ and Alison Krauss, this pairing is awesome - listen to it with a pair of headphones. My favorite tracks are: Anywhere On Earth You Are (gorgeous song), Don't Ask Why, Nobody Said it Would Be Easy, Where Do I Go from Here and As Lovely As You.

I absolutely love this cd, it is smooth ,relaxing and a side of Alan Jackson that is wonderfully pleasing to the ear. I too wasn't really sure the first time I heard it but after listening to it again, and again. I truly love it. Love it so much I went out and bought another copy for my sister, who is also an AJ fan. Don't judge this cd by your first impression. It is one of his best. PK

Okay...like a lot of posters here I was at first disappointed with the results of this CD. Being a huge AJ fan, I bought the CD the day it came out and couldn't wait to hear what else he had to offer - especially since the title cut was literally playing in my head day and night. I figured that maybe he asked Alison Krauss to produce the one song and then the rest of the CD would be usual AJ fare.

I listened to it one time through and thought...what the @#&%?!

I put it down a few days and put it back on my CD player. I feel much better about it now than I did a few days ago. It is a departure of sorts for Alan...not what one would expect. However, I believe this album will bring him some critical acclaim from those who normally don't listen to his usually "Gone Country-esque" style. It's pure...it's simple and sometimes understated. But isn't that AJ?

I like most of Alan Jackson's albums and so I was quite surprised when I got this one. It's a departure from his regular music. I found myself skipping through most of the songs looking for one that had a catchy tune. These songs are long and drawn out and are missing that catchy, sing-a-along quality. I applaud his decision to expand himself into other musical directions but he should do so in moderation with perhaps one or two different songs per album. On the positive side, his voice is top notch and the recording is crystal clear.

I bought this cd, because i have every cd from Alan. Alan is a very good songwriter and an excellent Countrysinger and here is the problem. This is no countrymusic at all. Alan sounds very tired. I think he should take a break of 2 years and than he will be back with a real fresh COUNTRY cd.
Allison Kraus as producer isn`t good for Alan. Alan should look at George Strait, how real good countrymusic should sound.

Alan`s voice doesn`t work with this style of music at all.