January 24, 2002

Like "Where Were You (When the World Stopped Turning)," probably the finest song written in the wake of the World Trade Center attacks, the best songs on Drive are about life-changing experiences. Not all of them are of September 11 magnitude, of course -- "Drive (For Daddy Gene)" is about learning to drive a boat as a child -- but Jackson's genius is that he plays the two off each other the same way the mournful pedal steel plays off the stoic mandolin on "Bring on the Night." Jackson's songwriting has grown increasingly introspective and personal over the years. "Designated Drinker," his second duet with George Strait, seems mannered, but most of his tunes appear natural to the point of artlessness, even when they're as carefully crafted for effect as "First Love" -- it's about a car, but there's no way to tell that until you're well into the chorus and already hooked. While other country singers that came up at the same time he did have started to slip from the charts or talk retirement, Jackson has produced what may be a career album -- and he's done so without giving himself away in the process. A version of this review originally appeared in USA Today.

Brian Mansfield CDNOW Senior Editor, Country

******************************************************************************************************** Best album ever heard, February 4, 2002
Reviewer: Pearl Louise Cabral from Fremont, California United States

This is the first time I have ever liked every song on an album. Everyone who I have played this for has said the same thing and has gone and bought this album right away. Mr. Jackson has a winner here and if he doesn't win the album of the year with this, there is something really wrong. This is just wonderful!!!!

********************************************************************************************************

One of his best CD's:

This album is so spectacular as his first one for many years. He plays straight country music with tons of fiddle and steel guitar. What a great country singer. Traditional country music without Alan Jackson is not possible. If you buy this album, you will enjoy it many months.

Submitted by HAehle@t-online.de in Bretleben, Germany

********************************************************************************************************

Way to go Jackson!

The music is awesome! In the song, Where were you when the world stopped turning? Jackson captured the thoughts, fears and emotions of the majority of US citizens regardless of age or background. Listening to this song makes it hard to forget that we live in a wonderful country and have many blessings to be thankful for yet, we have the ability to pull together as one when a tragedy befalls some of us. You said a lot for all of us.

Submitted by a reviewer in Parma, Ohio, USA

********************************************************************************************************

GREAT CD

Alan's tribute to what happened 9/11/01 is a dignified and wonderful expression. His music seems to fit things we have all either been through or know someone who has. Enjoy the cd...it's a must have.

Submitted by a reviewer in Fishers, IN, USA

********************************************************************************************************

Editorial Reviews
Amazon.com

He sings straight, writes songs without a half dozen Music Row hacks pitching in their two cents, and keeps the music basic. On Drive, Jackson mixes wistful visions with satire, sorrow, and eloquence, using old cars--"Drive (For Daddy Gene)"--to explore growing up and, on "Work in Progress," spoofing a woman obsessed with "improving" her man. As usual, he explores love's joy ("When Love Comes Around") and anguish ("The Sounds"). His flair for thoughtful, evocative expression reaches its zenith with his classic September 11 commentary "Where Were You (When the World Stopped Turning)," included in both the studio version and the song's live debut on the CMA Awards. Non-originals, including the Mark Irwin-Irene Kelley tune "A Little Bluer Than That," fit the album's tone. "Designated Drinker," a duet with George Strait, is a pleasant vocal event, though it's rendered mundane by the quality of the other material. Yet again, Jackson zaps Nashville's fallacy that any recipe for success requires generous helpings of dated pop and rock.

--Rich Kienzle

********************************************************************************************************

One of the best releases of 2002
Reviewer: Gennie Bailey from Savannah, Georgia

It's safe to say that Alan Jackson's new release, "Drive", is going to be a huge hit in 2002. If you're already a fan of Jackson, you know pretty much what to expect...some good ole country music that doesn't stray from it's roots. You've got everything from great love songs ("Once In A Lifetime Love") to the obligatory car song ("Drive" & "First Love") to the fun ("Work In Progress" & "I Slipped and Fell In Love"). There's also an awesome duet with the King of Country himself, George Strait, called "Designated Drinker", about a pair of drinking buddies trying to get over a gal who's broken their hearts. There's not a bad track on the CD, which is not something you can say for most of what's released today in country music. There's something for everyone here.

The following are my favorite tracks on the CD:

"I'm A Little Bluer Than That": What a song!!! This is bound to be a hit on radio, if it's ever released. Alan sings of a man who can't seem to get over a woman who's left him for another man. He explains that even the saddest songs on the radio aren't as blue as he is.

"Bring On The Night": Alan has such a knack for singing a country love song and this is one the best I've heard him sing yet. It's a song about a man coming home after a long, hard day to the woman he loves.

And finally...."Where Were You (When The World Stopped Turning)": During the 2001 CMA's Alan Jackson premiered this song in tribute to the victims of September 11th. It's safe to say that there wasn't a dry eye in the nation that night after he sang it. Not only are you getting the original album cut, you're also getting that famous live version from the CMA's. There've been tons of tribute songs released since the tragedies but this is far superior to any that I've ever heard. It makes you think REAL hard about what matters in your life and how fragile life really is.

If you're going to buy just one new country CD this year, make sure it's Alan Jackson's "Drive". What makes "Drive" so enjoyable for me is that Alan isn't trying to be something he's not. He's the same down-home, layed-back guy he's always been and it shows in his music. He isn't out to bring new fans to country music or break new chart records. Instead he focuses all of his efforts on making good music. This has got "Album Of The Year" written ALLLL over it!!!

Gennie Bailey-Rogers

********************************************************************************************************

In love with Alan all over again. January 23, 2002
Reviewer: Kimberly Holland from Indiana

You can tell Alan Jackson is at peace with himself and his music again, because of the way he opens up in "DRIVE". Of course the show stopping "Where Were You" (when the world stopped turning) is what will make this Alan's top CD of his career. The song speaks for itself, and shows America the poet Alan Jackson has always been. Whether a person listens to country or not they will buy this CD for that song. But, what they won't realize until later is that every song on "DRIVE" is a single in itself. A fan can get a wonderful glimpse of Alan's childhood growing up in rural George with a Daddy who loved him very much, in the title track "DRIVE". Seems anyone who learned to drive behind the wheel with daddy beside them can relate to what a wonderful song "DRIVE" is. "A Little Bluer Than That" reveals a classic country song sung in perfect tune with Alan's baritone voice. My personal favorite "The Sounds" is a sad heartbreak song, that revels just how much depth Alan's music can have, if one looks. The last line "you can't hear it, but the silence is killing me" will be sure to give you goosebumps. I would love to know more about why Alan wrote the song. "Designated Drinker" a duet with legend George Strait is a fun song about getting over a woman with a good friend and a bottle of Jack. "First Love" is another personal story from Alan about his 55 Thunderbird that is his again after setting it free for a down payment on a house years ago. Put your cd player on cruise control and enjoy some good country music with Alan Jackson.

********************************************************************************************************

Masterpiece! February 11, 2002
Reviewer: matthew76 from PA

This album has all you expect from Alan: great singing with feeling, great lyrics, and neo-traditional production done right. He can express himself so well with his lyrics that you feel no song on the topic written about can be written any better. I'd rate Drive up there with his album A Lot About Livin', And A Little 'Bout Love. Like that album, Drive is consistent the whole way through - no songs that are only solid. People will remember where they were on September 11 just the way people will remember where they were when Elvis died. And the song "Where Were You (When The World Stopped Turning)" gives Sept. 11 the extra meaning it deserves.

********************************************************************************************************

Alan does it yet again! January 28, 2002
Reviewer: Ken Schoonover, Jr. from Springdale, Arkansas

Though I didn't buy my first Alan Jackson album until a little over a couple of years ago, I've always been impressed with his music. Alan became a superstar without straying very far from his country roots, and Drive, his latest record, is no exception. Drive features a lot of good, solid country music.

Alan's huge hit song "Where Were You(When The World Stopped Turning)", which he wrote shortly after last September's attacks on the World Trade Center and the Pentagon, is the highlight of this record. Alan performed "Where Were You" live on last fall's CMA Awards show, and this record includes both the studio version and the live version. In reference to last September's bombings, Alan sings, "Did you stand there in shock at the sight of that black smoke risin' against that blue sky/Did you shout out in anger, in fear for your neighbor/Or did you just sit down and cry?" I think that's the most vivid language anyone could use to describe people's reaction to the attacks. Alan also pays tribute to the firefighters and policemen who gave their lives trying to rescue survivors and offers these hopeful lines in the chorus: "I know Jesus and I talk to God/And I remember this from when I was young/Faith, hope and love are some good things He gave us/And the greatest is love." When I first saw the video of "Where Were You" on Great American Country, I couldn't wait for the record to come out. Well, it's out now, and Alan has plenty of other good songs on Drive in addition to "Where Were You". First off is the title song, a moving tribute to his father, Gene. In "Drive", Alan sings about learning to drive his dad's boat and pickup truck and later teaching his daughters to drive his old Jeep. The album also features the lost-love ballads "A Little Bluer Than That" and "The Sounds"; the romantic songs "Bring On The Night" and "Once In A Lifetime Love"; and "Designated Drinker", Alan's duet with his buddy George Strait. I think Alan picked a bunch of powerful, well-done slow numbers for this record.

Alan also has fun on Drive. On this record are "Work In Progress", where a guy is begging his lover to accept his imperfections because after all, he's a "work in progress"; a couple of other upbeat songs dealing with romance, "When Love Comes Around" and "I Slipped And Fell In Love"; the bouncy, optimistic song "That'd Be Alright"; and "First Love", which Alan wrote about his first car. As Alan sings in "First Love", he sold the car, regretted selling it("I was a wreck, can't drive a check"), and then got it back as a gift. Overall, Drive is a solid, well-done record. I'd be surprised if Drive doesn't get nominated for at least one award when it comes time for the awards shows. Alan has put out solid music ever since he made his first record, and on Drive, he does it yet again.

********************************************************************************************************

Alan Jackson Man of the Year!!!! January 21, 2002
Reviewer: Cathy from Carrollton, Ga.

I have been a fan of Alan's for years. I have to admit more so since Sept, 01. I won tickets to his Hometown concert in Newnan, Ga. 10/27/01. Alan and his family proved to me what kind of people they really are. The helped raise thousands of dollars and then gave a Corvette away to still help raise money for the Angels House (Alan and Denise) named this shelter for abused children in thier hometown. Alan's song WWY has got to be the most heartfelt and healing song that I know of. He may not know the difference between Iraq and Iran but he diffently knows the music industry. My hat goes off to Alan Jackson and Family! Drive is great!

********************************************************************************************************