Thanks for the peek at the Big E shots.  I was there and it was a great show.  I took a lot of photos and I promise to post them. I was in the 8th row.  I'm selling my house so it seems that everything's in boxes.  Gotta keep diggin' for the cord to the camera.   Stay tuned.

BHR thanks for telling all you did to explain about Alan's recordings etc.. I did just ordered myself the one you spoke of, "PRECIOUS MEMORIES, of which he did a special show on at the Ryman that is available too on DVD" It is Great!
I saw this Show and was in the audience when he presented it at the Ryman! That is why I wanted this one especially.

Wow, lucky you! I'd LOVE to see AJ at the Ryman - such a legendary venue!  I have a friend that saw Bob Dylan there and said it was an incredible experience.  I'd fly down from Boston to see an AJ show there.  Someday, maybe....

Wow, thanks for all the info, guys.  A couple of really good friends are also new fans and I think they'll be joing the AJFC, too, so this thread is a great resource for the newbies.     

I've seem The Essential cover and the 34 #1's cover.  I'll buy The Essential AJ.    I also didn't know the Christmas record was reissued with a new cover, so thanks for that, too.

I also love vintage American music and some of our hymns are just beautiful.  I haven't heard AJ's album of hymns so I look forward to hearing that, too.  Only a voice as wonderful as AJ's can do some of our old American standards justice.
Someone on this thread said he originally recorded this for his mom.  What a great gift!   

     HI Bostonhonkytonk, I am from the UK and I have been an Alan Jackson Fan for many years  and I recomend 34 Greatest Hits that will give you a good listen to his music over the years, also What I Do is another one . I hope this will help you and good listening .

Thanks.  I'm sure in time I'll have them all.  I plan to, anyway.  So far I love everything I've bought. 

[Bostonhonkytonk, welcome to the forum! The very first album of Alan I purchased was A LOT ABOUT LIVIN', A LITTLE ABOUT LOVE and I really loved all the songs there. I highly recommend all of Alan's greatest hits album to include his very first one, THE GREATEST HITS COLLECTION, his follow up, THE GREATEST HITS VOL. I & II and his latest and last one with his former record label, Arista Nashville, 34 #1s. That last one has just been re-released with new cover and title,THE ESSENTIAL ALAN JACKSON, as shown in the MUSIC page of this website. All of these albums are also available on (music videos) DVD. And, as Kimberly recommended, Alan's two Christmas albums, HONKYTONK CHRISTMAS and LET IT BE CHRISTMAS is a must for the holidays. I would also recommend that you listen to his gospel album, PRECIOUS MEMORIES, of which he did a special show on at the Ryman that is available too on DVD. He recorded this gospel album originally as a Christmas gift to his Mama but was encouraged to release it and it did very well in the market all on its own. I agree also that all of Alan's albums are good and, as we, AJ fans, all do, I'm sure you'll love them all too. Enjoy them all and happy listening!BHR]

Bostonhonkytonk, welcome to the forum! The very first album of Alan I purchased was A LOT ABOUT LIVIN', A LITTLE ABOUT LOVE and I really loved all the songs there. I highly recommend all of Alan's greatest hits album to include his very first one, THE GREATEST HITS COLLECTION, his follow up, THE GREATEST HITS VOL. I & II and his latest and last one with his former record label, Arista Nashville, 34 #1s. That last one has just been re-released with new cover and title,THE ESSENTIAL ALAN JACKSON, as shown in the MUSIC page of this website. All of these albums are also available on (music videos) DVD. And, as Kimberly recommended, Alan's two Christmas albums, HONKYTONK CHRISTMAS and LET IT BE CHRISTMAS is a must for the holidays. I would also recommend that you listen to his gospel album, PRECIOUS MEMORIES, of which he did a special show on at the Ryman that is available too on DVD. He recorded this gospel album originally as a Christmas gift to his Mama but was encouraged to release it and it did very well in the market all on its own. I agree also that all of Alan's albums are good and, as we, AJ fans, all do, I'm sure you'll love them all too. Enjoy them all and happy listening!

BHR

Just so I understand 34 Number Ones is now The Essential AJ?   I will definately buy the Xmas albums for the upcoming holiday season. 

Last night I bought the Greatest Hits Vol. 1 album (based on the tip here) and I bought Good Time.   I'll be buying more in the coming weeks so thanks again.  So much to listen to. 

I enjoyed the whole band alot. 

Thanks, Jeri!  I've added it to my list. 

Thanks for the tip on the album.  I've also seen one called "The Essential Alan Jackson".   I'll eventually have them all but I appreciate the suggestion. 

I like the new fiddle player alot.  Alan said he's from Pittsburg, I think.  I remember thinking that all of the guys he introduced had home towns in places like Alabama, Georgia, etc..... and then a guy from Pittsburgh! Ha!  Anyway, the whole band is great. 

I remember seeing the video, Small Town Southern Man and there was a girl in the band.  I think she showed up again in the video, Good Time, too.   I suppose with such a long career, he's had different people thru the years. 

And, YES, he is the best!  What a voice!

My friends and I are new AJ fans.  A friend from Norway how is a MASSIVE AJ fan said we should get his records.  Funny how someone so far away has to tell us about someone in our own back yard....hmmm.... anyway.....  I only own 4 albums so far (all recommended as starters from my Norweigan friend): Freighttrain, TMW, Red on the Rose and Drive (my favorite).    Suggestions on what to get next would be appreciated.   
 

Sorry - another question (so much to learn)....  His videos show a different fiddle player and there used to be a girl in his band.  Is this travelling band new or does he use different musicians for recording and touring? 

I wanted to add that he's got a very cute sense of humor - he mentioned Randy Travis' recent problem but in a teasing (not mean) way.  Also joked about it being too cool in Springfield for someone who lives in the South.

Thanks for the welcome!

I attended my very first AJ concert at the Big E with my good friend.  It was a GREAT show!  I'm a new fan (since TMW was released in June) so I was wondering if I'd know a lot of his setlist.  I'm happy to report that I did - not surprisingly; he's on constant rotation on my CD player at home and in the car. 

So, here's some of Alan's setlist from Sunday:

Drive (for Daddy Gene)
So You Won't Love Me Anymore
Summertime Blues
Good Time
Remember When?
Where Were You When The World Stopped Turning
Itty Bitty

He did so many great songs.  My friend, Susan, was dying for him to sing the song about the Mercury (I'm still learnin').  He did it as his encore and we went wild.

Anyway, I'm going to see him again in October and I'm really excited about the next show.

Can anyone one of you seasoned AJ fans tell me....   how often does he tour?  Does he only tour to promote a new record?   Second queston - I own: Thirty Miles West, FreightTrain, Red on the Rose and Drive (my favorite).  Tell me what I should get next. 

I took a million photos and I'm happy how they came out.  When I get caught up, I'll try to post some here.

My friends and I are counting the days 'til the Lowell, Mass. show. YAY!

Thanks for the welcome.  I'm still not having much luck getting tix to this coming Sunday at the Big E but I will try up until the day of the show.  At least I'm goin' to Lowell.  But still.....

This is my first post here.  I am attending my first AJ show in Lowell, Mass (YIPPEE!) in October but I may also pick up some tix. to see AJ at the Big E in Springfield, too.  I wish I'd have joined this site so I'd have known he was coming.  By the time I found out the good seats were gone.        Anyway, I may still head the Big E anyway.  I love his new album and I can't wait to hear him perform some of it live.