Freight Train

Alan Jackson sings with an authority that is rare in modern country music. He’s a bit of a throwback even if he is convincingly contemporary. His arrangements remain tasteful and his songwriting is far more heartfelt and subtle than many of the professional songwriters who aim for the country charts. This genuine quality comes across throughout his many albums and is consistently present on tracks such as the piano ballad “Every Now and Then,” the easy-loping coming of age tale “After 17,” and the confident statement of love on the rockabilly-fed “I Could Get Used to This Lovin’ Thing.” His choice of covers is also remarkable. The title track is an excellent Fred Eaglesmith composition that provides Jackson with a caffeine rush. “Till the End” is a touching tribute to country legend Vern Gosdin. Tunes such as “That’s Where I Belong,” “Big Green Eyes” and “The Best Keeps Getting Better” prove Jackson is among the country music elite and plans to stay there for the duration.