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0 of 1 found the following review helpful:
Some people are fruit cakes. Jul 03, 2006
Someone said Alan Jackson is a money grabbin' freak ya right. meet him in person and you'll have a totally different view of the man.
Anyway now on too my review. In my view this is alans best album. Everyone can almost connect to every song on this CD especially "Where Were You" and "Drive" Those too songs rocketed this album too the top of his list. You can say Alan jackson took a shot in the dark and hit a bullseye with this album. Two words too some up this album "Amazing Performance".
 Mostly in Fourth Gear May 18, 2006
Alan Jackson is a great country singer, as well as a genuine, clever, and simple songwriter. He uses all of his best assets on 'Drive'. The familiar material is accomplished, but the less familiar is often even better. The title song, one of his most particular and personal since "Chatahoochee," weaves enough images to transport the listener through his memories. It is substantial in heart and melody. But newer memories come through on "Where Were You (When the World Stopped)". Here he evokes images tenderly, knowing he hardly needs to be "Shockin' us all" any further. He covers all of the bases of our 9/11 experience, and then invites us to be healed and to continue to love one another. It is a fine, uplifting song. Alan Jackson doesn't just heal and drudge up memories, though. He has some country songs on this album that seem so classic, one sometimes thinks they're remakes. His lyrics (more than half of them written or co-written by him) are as clever as "an all-American country boy," can be. The titles tell most of his story: "Designated Drinker," "I Slipped and Fell in Love," and "A Work in Progress," yet they have simple, but savvy phrasing. The first song is a duet with George Strait, a partnership that shows despite all the hot new country, Alan Jackson is mostly a loyal traditionalist. This is true on most of the songs, especially "That'd Be Alright," a whimsical and playful number perfect for the radio. And "Once in a Lifetime Love" is his own ballad alternative that should fit the listener like an old pair of soft jeans. For variety's sake he adds the excellent, upbeat, blues-flavored "First Love," and "The Sounds" delivers a good, solid ballad with fine piano accompaniment.
Many fans are undoubtedly tempted to get Alan Jackson's collections like his "...Greatest Hits, Vol. II," but this C.D. is worthy enough to buy first hand. (The '...Hits...' album should be gravy on the grits.) This album is put together well, and the songs, if anything, seem to get better as the songs move along (unlike his classic 'Who I Am' which is strong, but starts to wane somewhat on the second half). The musicianship is often intricate and accomplished, and, of course, Jackson has one of the best voices in country music. He takes country themes are is able to express himself in a new and colorful way that doesn't lose his audience.
Ignore The NUTS & FRUIT LOOPS Nov 09, 2005
"Money Grubbing Freak?" "Blood Money?" Wow, I didn't know it was wrong to pay tribute to the fallen after a significant human tragedy. Should I also be angry at all those who pay tribute to Martin Luther King, Jr. and John F. Kennedy? How about songs dedicated to soldiers lost in war? Elvis? Lennon? Princess Di?
Actually, many of us with human feelings remember exactly what we doing when JFK and Ronald Reagan were shot, when the space shuttle exploded, and when we first saw images of the WTC on fire. For many of us, Jackson's tribute expressed the feelings of loss and helplessness. It is a beautifully crafted and performed song. Of course, if you prefer lyrics limited to drugs and bootys, this is America.
My favorite song on the record is "Drive." It takes me back to my childhood when my grandfather used to let us grandkids drive the old pick-up while the men would toss the bales of hay onto the truckbed. I remember the jubilant feeling of this rite of passage and this song always takes me back, and makes me excited to teach my baby girl to drive. The music is cheerful and addictive and perfectly matches the delightful lyrics. It is nearly impossible not to start singing along.
Also notable are "Work In Progress" and "That'd Be Alright." One sign of a good song is that you will catch yourself singing or humming it frequently. Several years after purchasing the CD, I still find myself singing these songs.
The duet with George Strait is good, but a bit routine, as are a few other cuts.
I was tempted to rate "Drive" 5 stars, but this is an exceptional, not perfect recording. Fans of Jackson will find him at his best, and will be be very pleased. Others with open minds may also enjoy the record, although Jackson does keep it country, without trying to appease the masses. There is not a single filler or skip over track, although the quality of the material does vary.
0 of 2 found the following review helpful:
Great service, fast delivery. Thank you. Sep 06, 2005
I was very pleased with this purchase. The seller provided fast service and my item was just as described.
2 of 3 found the following review helpful:
Alan Jackson at his best Jan 25, 2005
This CD is truly Alan Jackson at his best. With the two best songs of his career, "Drive" and "Where were you (when the world stopped turning)", you will not be disappointed with this CD.
Every song on the CD, though, is very good. Alan Jackson sticks to the roots of country, and any country fan would appreciate this.
"Drive" is a song about his father, which Alan Jackson wrote after he died. It is about his father teaching Alan to drive, from a boat to a Ford pickup, to a Jeep. "Where were you" was written after 9/11 and is the song that made Alan famous. The CD has the studio version and the live version.
Some of the songs on this CD are really fun, like "Work in progress" and "I slipped and fell in love". Others are more serious, but they are all good and great to listen to. You will enjoy this CD immensely.
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