Like Red on a Rose

Alan Jackson

Product Details

• Audio CD (September 26, 2006)
• Original Release Date: September 26, 2006
• Number of Discs: 1
• Label: Arista
• ASIN: B000HDZKAA
• Also Available in: MP3 Download
• Average Customer Review: 3.7 out of 5 stars See all reviews (114 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #33,090 in Music (See Bestsellers in Music)

Editorial Reviews

Amazon.com
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

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

28 of 35 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars An Oasis in today's dessert of Country Music., September 29, 2006

By	John A. Gregorio (Castalian Springs, TN) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

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.

9 of 10 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Perhaps Country's Finest Vocalist, October 17, 2006

By	Musac Critic - See all my reviews (TOP 1000 REVIEWER)

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+.

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars interesting, March 13, 2007

By	erickajen "erickajen" (nowheresville) - See all my reviews

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.