Precious Memories

iTunes Review

Ruth Jackson had been begging her son Alan to make a gospel record for years. Eventually, Jackson's wife Denise piled on as well, and Jackson finally responded with this album, which he intended only as a Christmas present for select family and friends. Jackson pored through an old Baptist hymnal and dug out 15 songs that he used to sing as a boy in the church choir back home in Newnan, Georgia. Since it wasn't intended for release (or radio, for that matter), the music has a spare, intimate, austere feel. Supported mostly by acoustic guitar, piano, and harmony vocals, Jackson offers tender, heartfelt, understated readings of well-known hymns such as "Softly and Tenderly," "The Old Rugged Cross," and "How Great Thou Art." Two tracks, "Are You Washed In the Blood?" and "I'll Fly Away," are more upbeat and have a bit of a bluegrass flavor, but most of the album is quite solemn and earnest. As usual, Jackson's vocals are rich and emotive, and never over the top.