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4 of 4 found the following review helpful:
Here in Alan's world Jul 23, 2005
By Westley
Alan Jackson's first CD, "Here in the Real World," was released in late 1989. His record company must have has low expectations after the first single, "Blue Blooded Woman," flopped - it only managed a #45 peak on the country chart. The song is a curious choice for a lead single. It's not one of the strongest tracks by a long shot, although it has a catchy chorus and one great line: "I live my life in Wal-Mart fashion." Arista managed to get things together and released the brilliant title track as the next single.
I have all of Alan's CDs and love many, many of his songs. However, "Here in the Real World" is hands down my favorite. The song is seeped in country sound - whenever I hear it, I immediately picture Alan singing in some tiny honky-tonk bar. The main act has finished, and Alan is sent in to close out the night, singing to a few inebriated patrons. Perhaps my imagination is a bit fertile, but "Here in the Real World" is so incredibly atmospheric. Audiences agreed, and the single shot to #3 in early 1990. The CD became a hit, and Alan was heralded as one of the leaders of the new movement of traditional country singers. "Here in the Real World" is arguably Alan's most country sounding CD, but all the elements that he'd continue to hone in his subsequent releases are here: great writing and singing.
"Wanted" was the next single (peaking at #3) and is another of my favorites. The song starts off as an unassuming ballad before building to the unforgettable chorus. "Chasin' That Neon Rainbow" went to #2 for 2 weeks in late 1990. The song is the kind of barn-burning crowd pleaser that Alan has pulled out of his hat time and time again - think of later hits like "Mercury Blues" or "Tall, Tall Trees." The fourth single became Alan's first #1 country hit - "I'd Love You All Over Again." It's a nice ballad but not as memorable as many of his later ballads. Some of the non-singles are also quite good. I particularly like "Dog River Blues," which is a sort of precursor to his huge 1993 smash, "Chattahoochee." Another terrific song is "Home." When Alan released his first greatest hits collection in 1995, "Home" was included and subsequently released to support the greatest hits CD. The song went to #3, bringing the tally of top 3 hits from "Here in the Real World" to an incredible five.
Some country artists hit their creative and commercial peak with their first albums and spend the rest of their careers vainly trying to copy that sound and success. Alan Jackson could have fit into this mold - his debut was tremendously successful, selling more than 2 million copies; fortunately, he's continued to grow as an artist. As good as "Here in the Real World" is, it's not one of his strongest CDs. However, it's better than the best CDs of many big country artists and a must-have for country fans. Most highly recommended.
2 of 2 found the following review helpful:
THIS IS PERFECTON Aug 07, 2003
By pat milton
this is one of the best first albuns i think i have possibly ever heard for ace of hearts to here in the real world with it classic opening line to the neon rinbow to the dog river and back home this is these are a mix of heart felt ballads family songs and a few top tappers thrown in essentail for alan jackson fans to kniw how the jackson train stated
Love alan Jackson Sep 22, 2011
By Mary Harris
Wonderful music, I was looking for the song "I'd do it all over again" for my 10 year anniversary. I was so glad I found it.
Alan Jackson's first CD Sep 11, 2009
By Edward C. Higbee
Love this CD and every song on it. Especailly Here in the Real World and Home. Not a bad song on this CD.
The beginning of a country legend Feb 09, 2004
By Peter Durward Harris
"Pete the music fan"
I became a fan of Alan's from the first time I heard his first single, the title track of this album. Here in the real world is a classic tearjerker about the difference between dreams and reality. Yet, Alan's reputation has been built as much on up-tempo songs as on ballads, perhaps more so. This album showcases his ability at all types of country song. His music, then as now, was firmly rooted in traditional country but with just enough of a contemporary edge to appeal to a wider audience.Apart from Here in the real world, the other singles from this album were Wanted (a great ballad about a man wanting forgiveness from a woman who left him, and who he is unable to trace), Chasing that neon rainbow (a brilliant up-tempo song), I'd love you all over again (a brilliant ballad) and Home (a touching tribute to his parents). All five of those songs were included on his first greatest hits album, but the other tracks are just as good. Ace of hearts (an up-tempo song about success in love) Blue blooded woman (one of those classic city girl meets country boy songs, also up-tempo), She don't get the blues (about a woman who likes to dance but doesn't want anything else), Dog river blues (another song about a man whose woman has left him, but this one is up-tempo) and Short sweet ride (a great up-tempo song to close the set) are all outstanding songs that sound good enough to have been singles. So even if you've got that hits collection, this album is well worth buying. Alan has recorded many excellent albums. This one remains my favorite, although the others are not far behind.
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