Customer Reviews

Under the Influence

5 star:		(86)
4 star:		(7)
3 star:		(2)
2 star:		(3)
1 star:		(2)

 

 

I don't know how it was reviewed by the "critics", but I really liked it. It, like he said, will never be as good as the origionals, but they are good. I liked his selection of songs, not just popular ones, but ones that are a little less known to fans. He keeps them close to how they were meant to be and for that reason, on a scale of 1-5 (5 being the best), I give it a 5+.

Mainstream country music has lost its soul. Independent labels still produce authentic country in its many guises, but fail to gain the mass radio plays that allow dull rock acts in cowboy hats to dominate the top of the country charts. The one exception is Alan Jackson. To prove that point, he released this superb covers album which pays tribute to his musical heroes. Toby Keith or Lonestar fans may wonder where the Eagles cover version is (and who on earth is Charley Pride). Alan Jackson knows and we should be grateful that he did include Kiss An Angel Good Mornin' ahead of Hotel California. This is a rare example of a country covers album that actually covers real country music. There are classics originally recorded by Jim Ed Brown, Gene Watson, Merle Haggard and George Jones. Alan Jackson's rich baritone effortlessly brings these songs into the current market place and deservedly into the spotlight after years of neglect. Jackson should be applauded for his choice of material, which could be considered daring. Someone should now persuade George Strait to return to this type of material, for even he has veered away from the mainly traditional music that once charaterised his music. Alan Jackson remains true to real country and should have the support of every fan of the music.

Most of Alan Jackson's albums include a lot of original songs with the occasional cover. This album is different, entirely focusing on covers. This gave Alan the chance to illustrate some of his musical influences, including Merle Haggard (My own kind of hat, The way I am), John Anderson (She just started liking cheating songs), Hank Williams Junior (The blues man), Gene Watson (Farewell party), Don Williams (It must be love) Charley Pride (Kiss an angel good morning) and George Jones (Revenooer man, Once you've had the best).

Right in the palm of your hand was originally recorded by Crystal Gayle and later covered by Mel Mc Daniel. It is Mel who gets Alan's credit - no mention is made in his comments about Crystal. The most surprising inclusions here are Pop atop (Jim Ed Brown) and Margarittaville (Jimmy Buffett), this last being a duet with Jimmy.

Alan does not attempt to do anything different with the songs - they sound just how you would expect them to sound. He never expected this album to be a big seller, but wanted to show his fans where his roots lay. The results far exceeded expectations, partly because none of the songs have been over-recorded.

This is not the best place to begin an Alan Jackson collection, but it is a very enjoyable album. Actually, I have most of Alan's albums and they are all excellent.

Alan Jackson truly is a music lover's hero.UNDER THE INFLUENCE is an awesome tribute to those artists who made country music great. Songs like FAREWELL PARTY, IT MUST BE LOVE, and especially BLUES MAN were fantastic the first time around, but there's something about this man, a super star in his own right, singing his heart out paying homage to his childhood favorites that make this album absolutely SOUL INSPIRING. You can imagine Alan as a young boy, dreaming of making it big, singing along to the radio on a breezy summer day. Alan's absolutely mesmerizing voice paints THAT VIVID of a picture. Thank you Alan for pouring your heart and soul and voice into these country classics. UNDER THE INFLUENCE and ALAN JACKSON are timeless masterpieces to be treasured in the hearts of true country music fans everywhere.

As close as sex, drugs, and rock & roll is to rock, country's theme of livin' lovin' and leavin' has to include "honky tonkin' drinkin" songs. Jackson didn't intend for this collection to be a string of old hits.

These honky tonk ballads are songs that meant something to him growing up, he liked them or he sang them in his career before he was making records. He doesn't try to make these "his own songs", he just wants to sing them. But with Jackson's solid country style and his deep voice, some of the lesser known tunes come across so close to his style it is impossible to relate them as someone elses.

A surprise closing number is "Margaritaville" sharing vocals with the special non-country guest Jimmy Buffet (vocal were done separately.)

The other recognizable song is "Kiss an Angel Good Morning" by Charley Pride. "Farewell Party" by a sad, Gene Watson song about a man who asks his love to at least pretend to love him when he departs this world. If you haven't heard Gene Watson sing this maudlin ballad, please give it a try.


The 1967 booze ballad, "Pop a Top", which is a faster tune complete with the sound effect of a "beer can popping". Aside from Hank Williams, George Jones another favorite of Jackson's. Two song of Jones are here and an autobiographical song of Hank Williams about one of his wives.

An upbeat song that Alan has sung a lot is "She Just Started Liking Cheatin' Songs." John Anderson's good honky-tonker, great club song reminded Jackson of those days. "It Must Be Love" another single from the CD is written by a personal favorite song writer of Alan Jackson's Bob McDill. Almost every CD of Jackson's has something written by Bob McDill.

As always, here is another fabulous CD by a true country honky tonk performer. Alan Jackson has always done wonderful work. Every CD he puts out is quality, top notch.

This is WONDERFUL!......Rizzo

This album is a treasure. If your seeking real country music by a real country artist, please look no farther. Every song on here is a classic gem that reminds us how good this music can be, and how mediocre the state it's in now. Thank god for Alan Jackson. The guy is respectful to real country music, and tries to keep it alive as best he can. As long as he keeps making albums like this, then there is definitley no ending in sight for him. "Pop A Top", "It Must Be Love", "The Blues Man", "Farewell Party", are about as great and classic as you can get. Some of these songs might be a little obscure to some fans, but will enjoy them nonetheless. You also get a cover version of Charley Pride's "Kiss An Angel Good Morning", and Jimmy Buffett's "Margaritaville". Buffett himself even appears briefly at the end. So, if your looking for a great country album, look no further. This is as good as a country album can possibly get!. And, please, forget the two star review below. This person does not see this album, or music, correctly.

This album is sensational! Lately I have so displeased with todays country music,the pop sound is terrible. Thank God for artists like Alan who stay true to the traditional sound I grew up on. This album is something special,and boring it isn't! It's the most wanted around these parts,everyone wants to be under the influence. The Blues Man is a special song for me and Alan's version is wrenching. For those of you not into the traditional sound I implore you to buy this one,guaranteed,Alan will get you under the influence of stone country.

With what passes for Country Music these days, thank God Alan Jackson is here to share his true-to-tradition rendition of these one of a kind country songs.

I never heard of this CD before my aunt, uncle, and cousins came to new york from texas and they had it. They played it non-stop and I know they would also give it 5 stars. The song "Pop A Top" has some sentimental value to me, and I could never get tired of it. Now, every time I hear it, I think of the texans. But the rest of the CD is also wonderful. I dont really like country music that much, but I really love this CD. Its great!

Alan Jackson's "Influences" will be proud as a peacock of this CD -- anyone who remembers the greatest hits from the mighty Merle Haggard,Don Williams, George Jones, and Johnny Paycheck will love it. Unlike most CD's there is not one song that is "half-baked". Alan has made sure that the music, the lyrics, and his flawless baritone voice blend together to present the finest mix of country music around. The instrumental portions, especially in The Blues Man, are totally awesome. Margaritaville has a dry sense of humor that will get you laughing every time you hear it. Once a true Alan Jackson fan, you are hooked for life---and for those of us who have purchased his CD's from the beginning, we know that this guy just gets better and better, and this CD is TOPS! Go out and buy this SUPER CD (but PLEASE, only if you love traditional country music)!