Like Red on a Rose by Alan Jackson
Genius!!
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 shed always chosen for herself. (Robert Lee Castleman, one of
Krausss favorite writers, weighs in with four tunes, and Ron Block, Jerry
Douglas, and Dan Tyminski, Krausss 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 1998s daring, spoken-word hit
Ill Go On Loving You, a far lustier admission than anything included here. If
theres a downside to this brilliant, if unlikely pairing, its that Krausss
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 W hite,
Sidney and Suzanne Cox, and Krauss herself) that its hard to quibble.
Throughout, and especially on the ballad Wait a Minute and his own
dusted-off A Womans Love (1998), Jackson, who explores his rich, lower
register more frequently than in the past, comes across like Don Williams
in his prime. Hes 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 Jacksons 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, hes 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
Personal Review: Like Red on a Rose by Alan Jackson
I know that a lot of Alan Jackson fans thought that he shouldn't have made
this album, but I think it is a beautiful little detour in the road of his career.
In its way and as a late-night mellow album, it's as great as any record in
Mr. Jackson's career.
I did have the good fortune to attend a recent concert here in Maryland and
I was pleased that he did perform the title track and that the fans were into
it.
That's it...
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