Strong vocals and range; Destined to be a country great

I got this CD on sale but after listening to it it's worth full price. One would think that someone out there with that much talent, range, and just plain great singing would sell millions and millions. It's a shame today's pop hasn't kept up with the likes of Alan Jackson. In fact a lot of country isn't all THIS good. I sat for hours listening to "8 CDs of Country Classics" and found some good ones. Then I put in Alan Jackson and god it's really just as good and in some cases better. Were talking listening to likes of Johnny Cash, Hank Williams, Waylon Jennings, Conway Twitty, and Willie Nelson. I'd say add Alan Jackson to the bunch. Like lots of critics have said, he's just great and gets better and better.

First and Best

Not counting the Greatest Hits, this is Alan Jackson's best album. I didn't jump on the "Chattahoochee" bandwagon like everyone else did. I already liked Alan Jackson when that song came out and it almost made me a non-fan because country radio ran it right straight into the ground like they do Garth, Shania, Tim, and Faith these days. Here in the Real World offers several fantastic cuts that he has matched only a couple of times since. The title hit, Chasin' That Neon Rainbow, Home, and I'd Love You All Over Again are all good songs, but it's the second single that nails it for me---"Wanted". It's the best song in Mr. Jackson's entire career and it alone would make this album worth buying. All those others I mentioned are just icing on the cake.

Good Music

I love Alan Jackson music. My favorite song is Here In The Real World. I think he is an artist with great style.

Thank The Gods

Just when you thought us mortals were about to kill ourselves over the so-called country music of the late 80's, early 90's, the gods looked down on us and blessed us with Alan Jackson. Jackson's "Here In The Real World" wass a perfect neo-traditionalist album that told Nashville that you could still write good ol' country music and survive as a commercial entity. Jackson seems to be a man who knows his country music history, and isn't ashamed to show it. "Chasin' that Neon Rainbow" stands out above the rest of this album. It's a testament to what really making country music is all about. "Wanted" ranks high as well. You want to feel sorry for the guy when he sings it. "Here in the Real World" tugs at the heartstrings. "Dog River Blues" is another fine tune on this album. If you want to restore your faith in country music, please take a chance on this album.

Why hasn't anyone reviewed this yet?

Why in the world hasn't anyone reviewed this yet? This is the album that started it all. Out of the late eighties 'hat pack' phenomenon, Alan Jackson has managed to stay in the forefront with consistency that Garth Brooks can only envy. Granted, this is a first album, and compared to his later stuff, it is even more obvious, but all artists must start somewhere and this is the best effort I've seen. "Here in the Real World" still makes me cry every time I hear it. "Chasin' that Neon Rainbow" is a classy barroom coming-of-age song, and his up-tempo classics "Ace of Hearts" and "Short Sweet Ride" just make you feel good, especially on your radio with the windows rolled down. A definite for Alan Jackson's fans, and a good place to start for those just getting into his style.

The beginning of a country legend

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.

THIS IS PERFECTON

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