Track Listing

1. Chattahoochee [Extended Mix]
2. Gone Country
3. She's Got the Rhythm (And I Got the Blues)
4. Midnight in Montgomery
5. Tall, Tall Trees
6. Chasin' That Neon Rainbow
7. I'll Try
8. Don't Rock the Jukebox
9. Livin' on Love
10. Summertime Blues
11. Love's Got a Hold on You
12. (Who Says) You Can't Have It All
13. Home
14. Wanted
15. I Don't Even Know Your Name
16. Dallas
17. Here in the Real World
18. Someday
19. Mercury Blues
20. I'd Love You All Over Again

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #2210 in Music
• Brand: Arista
• Released on: 1995-10-24
• Number of discs: 1
• Dimensions: .21 pounds

Album Description
First they went platinum...Now they're going green. Your best loved music in its simplest form. 20 best-selling "Greatest Hits" & "Best of" collections now available in a new eco-friendly package. 1CD in card wallet packaging - no plastic, no booklet - just great music! Booklets are available online through a unique URL on the package.

Amazon.com essential recording
As a superstar who's revered by both the young country audience and traditionalists, Alan Jackson is at his finest when he's steers clear of trifles like "Chattahoochie" and takes those younger fans to school. Here he does just that by paying respects to Hank ("Midnight in Montgomery"), swearing allegiance to George Jones ("Don't Rock the Jukebox"), and calling out all those newcomers who've decided it's time to get twangy now that country's hot ("Gone Country"). All of it pales next to "Here in the Real World," however, as perfect a honky-tonk weeper as mainstream Nashville has produced in 30 years. --David Cantwell

Customer Reviews

Upbeat traditional country for the nineties
Alan's brand of traditional country, with just enough of a contemporary edge to appeal to a modern generation, provides a contrast with the prevailing pop country normally recorded by Nashville's major label singers. This collection contains all his big hits from the early part of his career.

Many of the songs are upbeat, happy songs but I was drawn to his music originally by Here in the real world, a sad song that Alan delivers superbly, which was the title track of his debut album.

The album opens with Chattahoochie, a very upbeat song that should get those toes tapping. There are so many great songs here, including Gone country (an amusing song about failed pop and folk singers trying to sing country), Midnight in Montgomery (an ode to Hank Williams), I don't even know your name (which Alan wrote as a joke) and Someday (about always putting things off to be done some day).

Alan writes or co-writes most of his own material, but has also demonstrated his brilliance with covers. On this collection, you will find covers of Tall tall trees (George Jones), Summertime blues (Eddie Cochran) and Mercury blues.

This collection covers the hits from the albums Here in the real world, Don't rock the jukebox, A lot about living and Who I am, together with two songs especially recorded for this collection - I'll try and the previously-mentioned Tall tall trees. As I write this, there is no volume two, but there is certainly enough material for such a volume.

every one a winner
There isn't a lame song in this whole collection. Not only is Jackson a superstar for his talent as a performer, but his copious gift as a songwriter will ensure his fame long after he's gone from this earthly realm.

He penned 15 of the 20 songs on this CD, among them many of my favorites like "She's Got the Rhythm" and most of all, "Midnight in Montgomery"...the entire CD is worth buying for this song alone...a moving tribute to Hank Williams, with a haunting, beautiful melody.

The musicianship thoughout is top-notch. Just listen to "I Don't Even Know Your Name"...it's spectacular, and those guitars on "Mercury Blues" !...just amazing. The booklet is great, with lyrics and commentary by Jackson about each song (though you'll need a magnifying glass to read it, it's worth it), and lots of photos, including a back page "centerfold" of Mr. Long 'n' Lean himself that's really, I mean really good.

Just go country
I recomend Alan Jackson and his music (particularly this album)as a start up for those who have never been about to even try listening to country music. Once you hear it you'll love it. Songs here are very well balanced from dynamic and "full of pep" Chatahoochie, educative "I don't even know your name" (straight tequilla may place you in a very unfavourable situation)to nostalgic "Home".
So if you're not already "Gone country" at least give it a try now.