Alan Jackson Album: “When Somebody Loves You”

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Personnel: Alan Jackson (vocals, guitar); Bruce Watkins (acoustic guitar); Brent Mason (electric guitar); Paul Franklin (steel guitar, dobro); Stuart Duncan (mandolin, fiddle); Terry McMillan (Jew's harp, harmonica); Larry Franklin (fiddle); Gary Prim (piano, keyboards); Keith Stegall (piano); Glenn Worf (bass); Eddie Bayers (drums); John Wesley Ryles, Rhonda Vincent (background vocals). <p>Recorded at The Castle, Franklin, Tennessee and The Sound Station, Nashville, Tennessee. <p>It might seem ironic that traditionalist Alan Jackson would write a song about the Internet, but he's smart enough to realize that fans have always counted on country music to reflect their lives. With "www.memory," the first single from WHEN SOMEBODY LOVES YOU, Jackson sets computer-age lyrics against the most traditional of arrangements, and comes up with a heartbreaking love song that techno-geeks and technophobes alike can enjoy. <p>Jackson's packed the rest of WHEN SOMEBODY LOVES YOU with a mixture of down-home ditties ("It's Alright To Be A Redneck," "Meat & Potato Man"), and tender, romantic ballads. Listening to him croon "I'm liking how my Jack & water/mixes with your Estee Lauder" (on "Maybe I Should Stay Here") is worth the price of admission alone. But Jackson bites the hand that feeds him on the final track, "Three Minute Positive Not Too Country Uptempo Love Song." This putdown of radio programmers who'd like to see all country songs reduced to feel-good romantic mush is hilarious and, sadly, all too true. <p>WHEN SOMEBODY LOVES YOU is proof that real country still matters in the age of cyberspace and focus groups--and Jackson's the one you can count on to deliver it.

I have always been a fan of Alan Jackson and I have to say that this album is definately one of his best. In a day and age where true country music is hard to find, Jackson stays true to his roots and has avoided the urge to go crossover. This album has several of his trademark romantic/ballad style pieces that I think are great. "A Love Like That," is a sweet, hopeful longing for a perfect love. The title track, "When Somebody Loves You," is a gentle tribute to the power of a good love. This album is a must have for all true country music fans.

Alan Jackson is one of the few best-selling artists who throughout his long career has kept "real country music" thriving; during Nashville's ups and downs and pop crossover cycles, Jackson never left his roots, and for that we thank him.

In this platinum CD, which was his 10th recording, his wonderful baritone voice and relaxed style make all 11 tracks great listening.

Three of the five songs written by Jackson in this album were released as singles: "www.memory", "When Somebody Loves You", and the terrific "Where I Come From", which peaked at # 1 on the Billboard charts.

Other favorites include the opening "Meat and Potatoes Man", which is funny and tailor-made for Jackson's humor, the romantic, lilting "Maybe We Should Stay Here", and Jackson's "Three Minute Positive Not Too Country Up-tempo Love Song", which is a showpiece for his fabulous band (guitars: Bruce Watkins/acoustic, Paul Franklin/steel, Brent Mason/electric. Bass: Glenn Worf. Drums: Eddie Bayers. Fiddle: Stuart Duncan, Larry Franklin. Harmonica: Terry McMillan. Piano: Gary Prim, Keith Stegall).

I have always loved songs by alan jackson, even when I was a little girl. i remember riding in the car with my dad and singing along to 'Chattahoochie'every time it came on the radio. I heard a lot of the songs on this CD, When Somebody Loves you, first on the radio. I heard them so much I basically knew all the words. I am not much at keeping up with the titles of songs or even when the songs come out. so i didn't realize that all these songs i loved so much were all on the same album. i was just looking through the country CD's at the music store, and saw the When Somebody loves You CD. I looked on the back to see the songs and there they all were on the same CD. i didn't have any money and knew i wouldn't any time soon, so i asked my aunt to get it for me for christmas. when i opened it up i screamed because i was so excited to get it finally. i listened to it straight through two times as soon as i got the plastic off. i love it, and listen to it all the time. the songs are so easy to sing along to and have really good rythmn. They have those types of chourus' that just get in your head and you just randomly start singing them throughout the day. music you can sing along to and that is easy to know all the words is the best type of music. this CD is just that.

When Somebody Loves You is only the second Alan Jackson album I've purchased(its predecessor, Under The Influence, is the other). However, after listening to this record, I can see why Alan gets a lot of praise for his music. He doesn't try to make his music "pop" in order to sell more records, but instead has remained true to his country roots. As Alan usually does, he has plenty of good slow songs on this one. The best ballads here are the title track "When Somebody Loves You", "Life Or Love", "A Love Like That", "Maybe I Should Stay Here" and Alan's current hit "www.memory"(a contemporary twist on the lost-love song that capitalizes on our current obsession with getting on the Web). Alan also has some upbeat, funny songs on this record--"Meat And Potato Man", "It's Alright To Be A Redneck", and "Three Minute Positive Not Too Country Up-Tempo Love Song", the record's concluding tune. This is a fine record from one of country music's best performers. In my opinion, when the awards shows come up, When Somebody Loves You should get nominated for best country album. It's certainly worthy of that award.

Sonically, this album is very well-recorded! Plus, the songs are terrific! I am a middle-aged guy who happens to think that neo-country music is much like the rock of the 50's and 60's. Elvis, Buddy Holly and the Beatles come to mind when I listen to this CD. Alan Jackson has a very smooth vocal delivery and his voice has a lot of natural presence on this recording. Also, the recording engineers at Arista/BMG did an outstanding job of positioning the instruments in a very believable 3D soundstage. This is not what I call "in-your-face" music, which is so typical of today's overmiked and overdubbed popular music. Long live neo-country because they make listening to music enjoyable to us middle-age baby boomers. Vocalists such as Alan Jackson, Trisha Yearwood, Kathy Mattea, Garth Brooks, Wynnona, and the Dixie Chicks really care about the quality of their recordings. These artists and their recording companies stand out in a crowd of otherwise average competition.