Alan Jackson: A ‘Good Time’ at the Taj

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The iconic country traditionalist sings 23 of his 34 number ones in a rousing concert

By Lori Hoffman

Add Comment | Comments: 2 | Posted May. 1, 2011

Photo by All photos by Donald Kravitz

ATLANTIC CITY – There aren’t too many artists, no matter what genre of music, who can release a greatest hits album that’s titled 34 Number Ones. Alan Jackson, a singer-songwriter who belongs in the pantheon of country's greatest artists right up there with Hank Williams and George Jones, released just such an album late last year.

In a packed house at the Trump Taj Mahal arena last night, he sang 23 of them. Despite his anthem “Don’t Rock the Jukebox,” he did rock the house with that tune and other uptempo classics like “Good Time,” “Summertime Blues” and “Who’s Cheatin’ Who.”

He also goes soft and gentle with “The Real World,” “A Woman’s Love” and “Remember When.”

That’s the beauty of an Alan Jackson concert. He provides both a rollicking good time and moments of breathtaking reflection and reverence. Nowhere does that hit home more than when the lights dim and his superb band the Strayhorns begins playing the melody to “Where Were You (When the World Stopped Turning).” Of all the songs released in the aftermath of 9/11, his song best captured the mood of our nation – the shock, the anger, and the need to connect with both family and total strangers in our moment of raging, shared grief.

Other songs in his beautifully balanced set included “Living On Love,” “Tall Tall Trees,” “Country Boy,” “It’s Five O’clock Somewhere,” “Drive” (his lovely tribute to his father), and “Gone Country.”

Although Jackson is mostly just ”pickin’ his guitar and singing,” lyrics from his early hit “Chasin’ That Neon Rainbow,” his performance utilizes numerous music videos that provide background on four giant screens behind him.

The best use of the technology came with his song “Where I Come From,” an amusing story song about a trucker. The lyrics include a reference to being stopped on the Jersey Turnpike, and a video featuring Atlantic City landmarks illustrated the song. We saw bus drive-by views of Tony’s Baltimore Grill, the Knife & Fork Inn and signs leading into the city, ending with the Alan Jackson billboard on the AC Expressway. And just to rile up the fan rivalry, there were quick shots of the New York Giants, Washington Redskins, Boston Red Sox and Philadelphia Eagles logos.

Thanks to this tongue-in-cheek prank, there were boos heard at an Alan Jackson concert. That is the only way it could happen, since an Alan Jackson concert above the Mason-Dixon Line is always a special treat for his fans in the Northeast.