Brilliant second album, February 19, 2004

By	P D Harris "Pete the music and horse racing fan" (Leicester England) - See all my reviews

The title track was inspired by an event that actually happened, where somebody was leaning on a jukebox and somebody else told him not to rock it. Alan took the phrase and wrote a song in which he changed the meaning of the phrase Don't rock the jukebox - the song is actually a plea to fill the jukebox with country music (especially George Jones records) rather than rock music.

The next song, That's all I need to know, is about a relationship that appears to be ending. Until I heard the song Dallas, I didn't know it was a girl's name as well as a city in Texas, allowing Alan to sing about Dallas leaving Tennessee and going back to Texas. Midnight in Montgomery is a tribute to Hank Williams, the title referring to his death. Love's got a hold on you is a light-hearted song about going to a doctor and discovering that his problem is being in love. Someday is about the end of a relationship. Just playing Possum is about George Jones and features a guest appearance by the man himself.

From a distance is not the famous song of that title, which was originally recorded by Nanci Griffith and later became a UK hit for Cliff Richard in 1990 and a transatlantic hit for Bette Midler in 1991. No, this is an original song that Alan wrote with Randy Travis about a former relationship.

Walking the floor over me is yet another play on words - this time the subject of the song is a lady who lives in the apartment above Alan's. The album ends with the upbeat Working class hero, about a man reaching retirement.

This is an outstanding traditional country album with a contemporary edge - exactly what you expect from Alan Jackson.