With instrumental covers of Nashville country star
Alan Jackson's hits and one original composition inspired by his music ("Franklin Road"),
Pickin' on Alan Jackson gives honky tonk and contemporary country the bluegrass makeover. Creative arrangements with guitar, mandolin, banjo, and dobro add a new angle to slick country tunes like "Livin' on Love" and "Chasin' That Neon Rainbow." But
Pickin' on Alan Jackson lacks the inventive crossover appeal of other titles in the
Pickin' On series, like
Pickin' on the Who,
Pickin' on the Black Crowes, and
Pickin' on Lynyrd Skynyrd. Despite beautiful playing, it seems that
Pickin' on Alan Jackson is dangerously close to the bluegrass version of Muzak. Hardcore bluegrass fans will be put off by the countrypolitan flavor, and fans of
Alan Jackson, despite a nice traditional vocal by Cliff Wagner on "Murder on Music Row," will miss his voice. ~ Charles Spano