Under the Influence

Alan Jackson

Product Details

• Audio CD (October 26, 1999)
• Original Release Date: October 26, 1999
• Number of Discs: 1
• Label: Arista
• ASIN: B00001T3HC
• Also Available in: Audio Cassette  |  MP3 Download
• Average Customer Review: 4.7 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (98 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #29,765 in Music (See Bestsellers in Music)

Editorial Reviews

Amazon.com

Alan Jackson, the 1990s' preeminent tradition-based singer, kicked up a fuss at the 1999 CMA Awards over the Country Music Association's cavalier treatment of George Jones. That same deep, abiding reverence for the past clearly inspired this collection of oldies, all of them Jackson's personal favorites. Many choices aren't surprising, such as the 1967 Jim Ed Brown barroom anthem "Pop a Top," Merle Haggard's "My Own Kind of Hat" and "The Way I Am," Don Williams's "It Must Be Love," the 1963 George Jones hit "Revenooer Man," Hank Williams Jr.'s "The Blues Man," and Gene Watson's "Farewell Party." The performances are competent enough, yet something's missing. Passion, normally a given on Jackson's recordings, surfaces only on Charley Pride's "Kiss an Angel Good Mornin'." Given Jackson's undeniable love for the material, his delivery seems detached, even clinical. More out of place is his duet with Jimmy Buffett on Buffett's shopworn "Margaritaville," which seems less of a stand-alone performance than an entry in a future CMA "Vocal Event of the Year" sweepstakes. --Rich Kienzle

Product Description

Includes CD, Case, Artwork!! Minor Scratches. Great Buy! Fast 1st Class Shipping!!

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

14 of 14 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Under the ifluence of the reviews, November 22, 1999

By A Customer

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+.

8 of 8 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars The last remaining mainstream standard-bearer, November 15, 2001

By	Dino (Scotland) - See all my reviews

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.

7 of 7 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Alan goes back to his roots, January 28, 2003

By	Peter Durward Harris "Pete the music fan" (Leicester England) - See all my reviews (TOP 10 REVIEWER)    (REAL NAME)

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.