Needless to say, the 16 hits are fantastic. A balance of up-beat ("Drive" and "Little Man" being my favorites) and slow ("Gone Crazy" and "I'll Go On Loving You" being my favorites of these). Country fans will recognize every song.

The strange thing is that the two new songs on this CD, "It's Five O'Clock Somewhere" and "Remember When" are actually the two best songs on this disk? "Remember When" blew me away. It is a wonderful song.

There is also an additional CD that contains 8 songs that appear to be songs Alan liked and never released. They were contained on his earlier albumns and real Alan Jackson fans will recognize these and some of his best as well. I always wondered why he never released "Job Description", "Buicks to the Moon" or "You Can't Give Up on Love". GREAT lyrics on these.

All in all, you get the best from the past few years from the Best Artist in Country. When I think of the 1990's, Garth Brooks, Alan Jackson, Randy Travis and Clint Black come to mind. When I think of the 2000's, Tim McGraw, Toby Keith, Alan Jackson and Kenny Chesney come to mind. While others fade, Alan Jackson is at the top of the country performers for every era he has been in. He is great. This album of 26 songs is great.

23 of 25 found the following review helpful:


Another Great Collection From Alan Jackson  Sep 30, 2003 By James E. Bagley "Jim Bagley"
This eighteen-track retrospective - a sequel to 1995's twenty-track Greatest Hits Collection - confirms Jackson's status as the most consistent singer-songwriter in country music.

In his songs, Jackson continues to eloquently revisit his humble roots with "Little Man" and "Drive (For Daddy Gene)" as well as detail relationships in a humorous ("Right On The Money," "Who's Cheatin' Who,") or moving ("When Somebody Loves You," "Gone Crazy") manner. He's also recently proven to be a great interpreter, as shown here on Tom T. Hall's "Little Bitty" and Hank Williams Jr.'s "The Blues Man."

Risks - such as the largely spoken "I'll Go On Loving You" and the post 9/11 lament "Where Were You (When The World Stopped Turning)" - have paid off big for Jackson. Meanwhile, his attempt to be trendy - "www.memory" - missed the mark (its selection for this set over the omitted gems "Between The Devil And Me," "That'd Be Alright," and "Work in Progress" is highly questionable).

Two new recordings - the playful Jimmy Buffett-accompanied chart-topper "It's Five O'Clock Somewhere" and the sparse ballad "Remember When" - end this anthology strongly. There's also an eight-track bonus disc of Jackson's favorite non-single recordings/compositions. While all are okay, only the leisurely "Tropical Depression" and the toetapping "Let's Get Back To Me And You," however, approach the quality of the hits.

11 of 11 found the following review helpful:


Pick A Hit, Any Hit  Aug 15, 2003 By Barry "Barrybgb"
I always wondered why it took so long for a second volume of hits for Alan Jackson to come out. I hadn't even known that this CD was coming out until a few days ago. What a nice surprise. If there is anybody in the country music business who has racked up an impressive roster of hits, it's Alan Jackson. With his non stop hitmaking, it won't be long before there is enough for a third volume. What Alan does, and does so well, is write simple songs that are straight forward and tell it like it is. They can range from short, toe tapping ditties, to heartfelt ballads full of pain and sorrow. His singing is the same. Sings it straight and doesn't overdo it. It always sounds true and you believe every word he sings. This latest collection of hits is every bit as strong and memorable as the classic first volume. In fact, this one is so much more packed than this one. I don't quite understand why there needed to be a second disc of 8 songs that already appear on the first main disc. There was no need for that. Not to say that this CD doesn't come with some disappointments. It seems like every greatest hits CD has something that just isn't right. This one is no exception. Very big, recent hits are missing. "Work In Progress", "That'd Be Alright", and "Murder On Music Row" with George Strait, are all missing. Even "Between The Devil And Me", from the "Everything I Love" CD, would be suited for inclusion here. None of them are present. Why?. It doesn't make sense. There are a number of songs here that I don't recall as being hits, nor being released as singles. Those songs being "Job Description", "Tropical Depression", "Gone Crazy", and a number of others. Maybe I just missed them since I am not as well tuned to country radio as I once was. There are two new songs here. "It's Five 'O' Clock Somewhere" with Jimmy Buffett, is a lightweight, but pleasant song. There earlier duet on Jimmy's "Margaritaville", was better. It should of been on here. The song is nothing special, but it is #1 on the country singles chart. The other new song, "Remember When", is the real winner. Alan's touching 9/11 song, "Where Were You(When The World Stopped Turning)" is present and accounted for. One of the most touching songs he has ever written. "Little Bitty" starts everything off and it's a wonderful musical journey. I am extremely happy that his cover of Hank Williams Jr.'s "The Blues Man" is here. What a masterful cover. "Pop A Top", and "It Must Be Love", also from his cover album, "Under The Influence", are included. They may not of been original tunes, but that was Alan's best album. Most of the hits from his "When Somebody Loves You" CD are here, including the title track, "WWW.Memory", and "Where I Come From". It would of been nice if "It's Alright To Be A Redneck" was included here as well. It's a silly, throwaway song, but it's cute and engagin in a way that only Alan could do. "Drive", sadly, is the only single from that CD, as I have already mentioned that the two other huge hits off of that one were mysteriously not included. I will never understand that. Alan's work will no doubt be as highly regarded in years to come as equal to George Strait or George Jones. It has that kind of quality that will stand the test of time and be a goal for future singer/songwriters in the genre to strive for. Alan continues to be the consumate country artist, and this greatest hits collection showcases, in one shiny package, just how great an artist he is.

8 of 8 found the following review helpful:


Alan Jackson could be the greatest Country Music Star EVER!  Feb 09, 2004
Here is yet another album from Alan Jackson that is sure to go Platinum. Just when you get finished with his #1 Album "Drive", he sends us another treat with GH Volume 2. This, by far, is his greatest album with all of the "Alan Jackson Necessities" enclosed. Just think, this man started as a struggling artist and, if not for his flight attendant wife running up to Glen Campbell, he might never had been heard! His greatest music (eg "Gone Crazy", "I'll go on loving you") came after he and his wife went through a separation and near divorce. A terrible ordeal for anyone but what a blessing for his fans. You truly can't go wrong with this CD. Possibly the best Country Music CD EVER!

8 of 8 found the following review helpful:


Same Row, Second Show!  Jan 11, 2004 By Barron Laycock "Labradorman"
Alas, I must confess that the song that drew me to Alan Jackson ion the first place was the spine-tingling rendition of "When The World Stopped Turning", but given that introduction, I have since become much more appreciative of one of country music's finest cross-over artists. Jackson is indeed a gifted lyricist, and his range is quite impressive, from honky-tonk songs like "Pop A Top" and "Itty Bitty", as well as more traditional and soulful tunes like "When Love Comes Around" or the splendid "Drive" in remembrance of his father. There are many more here, of course, and it would difficult to explain what it is about that voice, the consummate arrangements, or the lovely melodies he employs that allows him to use such hackneyed devices as he often does to achieve such wondrous results in the way of the finished product.

He can be formulaic, but brilliantly so, and often surprises us with just the right trembling inflection or the good-natured chuckle in the middle of the song, things that help to make each work something unique and truly his own. He also gives us an extra gift or two here in this two CD collection, with a song performed in concert with Jimmy Buffett, "It's Five O'clock Somewhere", and "Remember When" about a difficult husband and wife relationship he is struggling to come to terms with. For anyone alive and kicking when the song that led me to appreciate his gifts is still out there and listening, this terrific compilation album is ready for the taking. Enjoy!

See all 37 customer reviews on Amazon.com