Alan Jackson released his Precious Memories Collection exclusively with Walmart on Friday (October 28th). The set includes his first Precious Memories album, Volume II and two previously unreleased songs.
The two-disc collection features Precious Memories, Precious Memories Volume II, as well as, two previously unreleased songs – “It’s All About Him” inspired by Denise’s book of the same title and “That’s The Way” which Alan sang to Denise at their wedding.
When asked about writing the song ‘It’s All About Him,’” Alan explained, “Inspired by Denise’s strength and ability [in writing her book], I sat down and wrote a song of the same title hoping to add musically to an already uplifting story.”
Precious Memories was originally recorded as a Christmas gift for Jackson’s mother, and a handful of copies were shared with close friends. Prompted and urged by family and friends, Jackson agreed to make the music available to fans. Seven years later, Jackson and his wife Denise revisited the list of their favorite hymns they compiled for the first album and Jackson decided to release Precious Memories Volume II. Both albums went on to sell a combined 2.3 million copies.
DISC 1
- Blessed Assurance
- Softly And Tenderly
- I Love To Tell The Story
- When We All Get To Heaven
- ‘Tis So Sweet To Trust In Jesus
- In The Garden
- Are You Washed In The Blood?
- I’ll Fly Away
- What A Friend We Have In Jesus
- Standing On The Promises
- Turn Your Eyes Upon Jesus
- Leaning On The Everlasting Arms
- The Old Rugged Cross
- How Great Thou Art
- I Want To Stroll Over Heaven With You
DISC 2
- Amazing Grace
- He Lives
- Just As I Am
- Love Lifted Me
- O How I Love Jesus
- Only Trust Him
- There Is Power In The Blood
- Precious Memories
- Sweet Hour Of Prayer
- When The Roll Is Called Up Yonder
- Wherever He Leads I’ll Go
- It’s All About Him **
- That’s The Way **
**New Songs
Audio / Alan Jackson explained a few years ago why he chose to record and release Precious Memories Volume II.
DownloadAJ (Precious Memories II) OC: …and simple. :34
“It’s just really overwhelming how many people have enjoyed this album. So, of course, ever since I made the first one, they’re like, ‘When [are] you going to make another one?’ (laughs) That’s all I’ve heard now for…(laughs) ‘When [are] you going to make another one?’ We had so many songs, of course, that we didn’t get to do on the first one , but…and Denise sat down and helped me pick out some more this time, and…that’s where we’re at. I just…we tried to just go in and do it just like the first one – just heartfelt and simple.”
Audio / Alan Jackson shares his thoughts on why the songs he recorded for Precious Memories Volume II endure and resonate with people.
DownloadAJ (Precious Memories songs resonate) OC: …that sound. 1:03
“They’re a lot like country songs. They’re memorable melodies, and they’re well-written subjects that appeal to common people. And I think just…when you really start listening to those songs, as a songwriter now I’m especially amazed at how good they are, you know, in the melodies. And even some of the melodies are similar, almost, to a country song. And I think that’s why I – one reason I love ‘em. And I think people that grew up in church, it’s…you know, it’s not unlike your young days in high school and whatever you listened to on the radio, you know? Those are songs that [when] you hear them now, they really take you back to that feeling of that moment. And I think that’s what these songs do for people that heard ‘em every Sunday and especially like the church I went to had a big ol’ pipe organ and a piano and that was just a monstrous sound. It was very – even though I wasn’t that crazy about being at church when I was a young man, that music – I loved that sound.”
