Niolene S. from FAYETTEVILLE, AR Reviewed on 10/15/2011...
If you enjoy the music of Alan Jackson, this one is a keeper!
CD Reviews
Under the ifluence of the reviews
11/22/1999
(5 out of 5 stars)
"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+."
The last remaining mainstream standard-bearer
Dino | Scotland | 11/15/2001
(5 out of 5 stars)
"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."
Alan goes back to his roots
Peter Durward Harris | Leicester England | 01/28/2003
(5 out of 5 stars)
"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."
A Music Lovers Hero...
Janene | Lancaster County, PA | 06/01/2000
(5 out of 5 stars)
"Alan Jackson truly is a music lover's hero.UNDER THE INFLUENCE is an awesome tribute to those artists who made country music great. Songs like FAREWELL PARTY, IT MUST BE LOVE, and especially BLUES MAN were fantastic the first time around, but there's something about this man, a super star in his own right, singing his heart out paying homage to his childhood favorites that make this album absolutely SOUL INSPIRING. You can imagine Alan as a young boy, dreaming of making it big, singing along to the radio on a breezy summer day. Alan's absolutely mesmerizing voice paints THAT VIVID of a picture. Thank you Alan for pouring your heart and soul and voice into these country classics. UNDER THE INFLUENCE and ALAN JACKSON are timeless masterpieces to be treasured in the hearts of true country music fans everywhere."
A superb performance by Alan Jackson
Rizzo | Denver, CO | 06/17/2002
(5 out of 5 stars)
"As close as sex, drugs, and rock & roll is to rock, country's theme of livin' lovin' and leavin' has to include "honky tonkin' drinkin" songs. Jackson didn't intend for this collection to be a string of old hits.
These honky tonk ballads are songs that meant something to him growing up, he liked them or he sang them in his career before he was making records. He doesn't try to make these "his own songs", he just wants to sing them. But with Jackson's solid country style and his deep voice, some of the lesser known tunes come across so close to his style it is impossible to relate them as someone elses.
A surprise closing number is "Margaritaville" sharing vocals with the special non-country guest Jimmy Buffet (vocal were done separately.)
The other recognizable song is "Kiss an Angel Good Morning" by Charley Pride. "Farewell Party" by a sad, Gene Watson song about a man who asks his love to at least pretend to love him when he departs this world. If you haven't heard Gene Watson sing this maudlin ballad, please give it a try.
The 1967 booze ballad, "Pop a Top", which is a faster tune complete with the sound effect of a "beer can popping". Aside from Hank Williams, George Jones another favorite of Jackson's. Two song of Jones are here and an autobiographical song of Hank Williams about one of his wives.
An upbeat song that Alan has sung a lot is "She Just Started Liking Cheatin' Songs." John Anderson's good honky-tonker, great club song reminded Jackson of those days. "It Must Be Love" another single from the CD is written by a personal favorite song writer of Alan Jackson's Bob McDill. Almost every CD of Jackson's has something written by Bob McDill.
As always, here is another fabulous CD by a true country honky tonk performer. Alan Jackson has always done wonderful work. Every CD he puts out is quality, top notch.
Track Listings (12) - Disc #1
Niolene S. from FAYETTEVILLE, AR 
