Who I Am

There isn’t a weak moment on Alan Jackson’s 1994 effort Who I Am. Most of the songs are acoustic-based, and regardless of the subject matter Jackson delivers with a gentle, steadfast tone. In “Livin’ On Love,” “You Can’t Give Up On Love” and “Let’s Get Back to You and Me,” Jackson leaves behind the usual country conceits — cheating, abandonment, regret — and instead offers sweet and generous words, no strings attached. Even when Jackson plays the fallen man, as on the title song, he does it with grace: “And I know what I put you through / Is hard upon your heart / And it's just that you're concerned for me / Sweetheart, I understand / You do the best you can with who I am.” Jackson shows his romantic nature on Who I Am, but it’s far from a sappy affair. In addition to a perfect two-step interpretation of Eddie Cochran’s “Summertime Blues,” “I Don’t Even Know Your Name” and “Let’s Get Back To Me and You” alight with whip-cracking guitar solos and Bakersfield grit.