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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
Average Customer Review
(121 customer reviews) 30 of 37 people found the following review helpful
An Oasis in today's dessert of Country Music.,
September 29, 2006 John A. Gregorio (Castalian Springs, TN) - See all my reviews
This review is from: Like Red on a Rose (Audio CD)
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
Perhaps Country's Finest Vocalist,
October 17, 2006 Michael Brent Faulkner, Jr. "Brent Faulkner" (Kentucky) - See all my reviews
This review is from: Like Red on a Rose (Audio CD)
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...Read more
5 of 5 people found the following review helpful
Bad,
November 24, 2006 S. Yelich (Savannah, GA USA) - See all my reviews
This review is from: Like Red on a Rose (Audio CD)
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.
