Blue Wings From October 2015

There have been plenty of Alan Jackson compilations – some, like 2010's double-disc 34 Number Ones, have been quite extensive – but there's never been an Alan Jackson box until 2015's Genuine: The Alan Jackson Story, a triple-disc set covering his long run at Arista Records. Genuine opens 1989's "Blue Blooded Woman" and closes with his duet with the Zac Brown Band, "As She's Walking Away," a 2010 hit that arrived two years after his last Top 10 country hit – either for Arista or, as of this 2015 writing, in general – "Sissy's Song." He's made good records for EMI in the 2010s – as a rule, Alan Jackson doesn't make bad records – but this set unquestionably covers his popular heyday, featuring every one of his enduring hits and a good selection of deep cuts to boot. The eight unreleased tracks, none of which come with specific recording details, touch upon many of Jackson's signatures, ranging from straight-ahead traditionalist country ("Born Too Late," "If Tears Could Talk"), soft-focused '70s singer/songwriter (a live cover of Steve Young's "Seven Bridges Road"), balladry ("Wings"), south-of-the border fiestas ("Seguro Que Hell Yes"), love of country ("The Star-Spangled Banner"), a chipper twanging neo-novelty ("Love Is Hard"), and rocking country ("Ain't Just a Southern Thing"). Every one of these are solid, worthwhile fan bait for the hardcore, and they do nothing to diminish a box set that accurately exemplifies one of the great careers in country music.

There have been plenty of Alan Jackson compilations – some, like 2010's double-disc 34 Number Ones, have been quite extensive – but there's never been an Alan Jackson box until 2015's Genuine: The Alan Jackson Story, a triple-disc set covering his long run at Arista Records. Genuine opens 1989's "Blue Blooded Woman" and closes with his duet with the Zac Brown Band, "As She's Walking Away," a 2010 hit that arrived two years after his last Top 10 country hit – either for Arista or, as of this 2015 writing, in general – "Sissy's Song." He's made good records for EMI in the 2010s – as a rule, Alan Jackson doesn't make bad records – but this set unquestionably covers his popular heyday, featuring every one of his enduring hits and a good selection of deep cuts to boot. The eight unreleased tracks, none of which come with specific recording details, touch upon many of Jackson's signatures, ranging from straight-ahead traditionalist country ("Born Too Late," "If Tears Could Talk"), soft-focused '70s singer/songwriter (a live cover of Steve Young's "Seven Bridges Road"), balladry ("Wings"), south-of-the border fiestas ("Seguro Que Hell Yes"), love of country ("The Star-Spangled Banner"), a chipper twanging neo-novelty ("Love Is Hard"), and rocking country ("Ain't Just a Southern Thing"). Every one of these are solid, worthwhile fan bait for the hardcore, and they do nothing to diminish a box set that accurately exemplifies one of the great careers in country music.

The much loved 100 Hits range is back in a brand new sleek slim digipak housing 5 discs of your favourite tracks from the War era featuring beautiful, nostalgic tracks from the greatest singers of the time such as The Andrews Sisters, Glenn Miller and Vera Lynn plus many more in this golden classic collection.

The much loved 100 Hits range is back in a brand new sleek slim digipak housing 5 discs of your favourite tracks from the War era featuring beautiful, nostalgic tracks from the greatest singers of the time such as The Andrews Sisters, Glenn Miller and Vera Lynn plus many more in this golden classic collection.