DVD Review: Alan Jackson’s ‘Keepin’ It Country – Live At Red Rocks’

Last year, Alan Jackson celebrated his 25th year as a hit making artist. As any Country act does, the best way to mark such an occasion is by taking one’s music to the fans. Jackson embarked on a 25-date “Keepin’ It Country” tour, with a closing performance at Red Rocks Ampitheatre in Morrison, Colorado, which is the basis for this live DVD.

As has always been the case (except his experimental 2006 album Like Red On A Rose), one knows exactly what they are going to get with Jackson. That’s why the artist has been able to develop such a strong rapport with his fans. There’s not a lot of frills with a Jackson performance. He doesn’t swing from the rafters or pour water on the drummer (I, for one, would pay someone else’s good money to see that!), but what you’re going to get is traditional-driven Country Music as nobody else can do it.

What makes this set so special is that the album runs the gamut of his recording career. Kicking off with 1994’s “Gone Country” – a song truer now than ever, Jackson delivers a powerful set of his classics – ranging from “Here In The Real World” to “Chattahooche” to a rollicking performance of “Who’s Cheatin’ Who,” long one of my favorites. He also gives winning performances of hit collaborations such as “It’s Five O’Clock Somewhere” and “As She’s Walking Away,” much to the delight of the sold-out crowd. He also delves into his classic 1999 Under The Influence disc for a trio of cuts – “Pop A Top,” “It Must Be Love,” and “The Blues Man.” (Alan, if you ever wanted to do a Volume two of that album, I know one fan that would love it!)

Jackson also includes a pair of cuts from his latest work, the sadly-ignored Angels and Alcohol – the title cut and the upbeat “You Never Know.” The evening – and the disc – comes to a close with a pair of iconic Jackson classics, “Where I Come From,” and “Mercury Blues,” before fans wandered off into the Colorado night.

The music of Alan Jackson has made us laugh, cry, and made us dance for well over a quarter-century now, and it’s really great to see and hear all these hits in one collection. It’s a testament to his genius as a performer and as a writer, and also serves as proof why he is on the short list for induction into the Country Music Hall of Fame. Jackson knows a winning recipe – and he thankfully adheres to it here!

Alan Jackson’s Keepin’ It Country – Live at Red Rocks is available for purchase HERE.