Alan Jackson (Arista)
One reason Jackson is so much fun to listen to is his refusal to pigeonhole himself; he's not a honky-tonker, he's not a country balladeer; he's not a rocker. He can be a bit of all of the above, which he is on this, his eighth album. Jackson convincingly indulges in some Haggard-like populism with "Little Man." He swings easily through the up-tempo "Right on the Money," he wrings emotion out of "I'll Go on Loving You," and he shows a sense of humor on "Dancin' All Around It."
All the great country singers—Jones, Haggard, Jennings, Nelson, Hank Williams Sr.—have had that ability to vary their attitudes and thus offer a more interesting mix of songs. Maybe it's time to add Jackson to that list.
Bottom Line: Country star hits the eclectic switch
Your Reaction
