Jim Abbott | Sentinel Pop Music Critic
TAMPA -- When blowhards Big & Rich now pass for the next big thing in country music, old-school guys such as Alan Jackson ought to qualify as a precious national resource.
"Gone Country," the twangy opener in Jackson's 80-minute set on Saturday at the chilly Ford Amphitheatre, is an anthem that separates him from the "hick-hop" fad and other new stars that owe more to Bon Jovi than Hank Williams.
Of course, Jackson and his 9-piece band did channel Jimmy Buffett in the monster radio hit "It's Five O'Clock Somewhere," which inspired dancing even if the weather was better for hot coffee than margaritas.
Mostly, however, Jackson kept the focus on the fiddles and the steel guitar, banging out a nice assortment of old hits and newer songs in a well-paced show that didn't vary much from his January 2004 performance at the Silver Spurs Arena in Kissimmee.
In addition to the Ford's giant video screens on each side of the stage, there were three others behind the band, where Jackson used a ton of video clips to embellish everything from the love ballad "Remember When" to the bayou two-step of "Chattahoochee."
As usual, the first big cheers of the night erupted when the cameras zoomed in on Jackson's stylish white cowboy boots and his faded, ripped-at-the-knees jeans. If he ever tires of touring, Jackson could maybe just send his wardrobe on the road instead.
Later, Jackson accompanied "Where I Come From" with a video montage of local landmarks: Macdill Air Force Base sparked the biggest ovation, although it had formidable competition from signage for the Tampa Bay Bucs, the Gators, Seminoles and strip club Mons Venus.
When it came to the music, the sound mix kept Jackson's resonant singing comfortably above the mix, even though his talented sidemen didn't fare as well. The band sounded muffled at times and it was often hard to hear the lead guitar and pedal steel solos, a frustrating situation when the skilled players were given so much time in the spotlight.
Between the songs, Jackson still isn't much of a talker, but he kept the music coming. Highlights included a swinging "Don't Rock the Jukebox" and "Pop a Top," the latter featuring terrific twin fiddles.
Of course, Jackson also did "Where Were You (When the World Stopped Turning)," but his somber post-Sept. 11 song was an abrupt downer between the good fun of "Pop a Top" and "Chattahoochee."
It might have worked better as an opener for the encore, which consisted of a long version of "Mercury Blues," in which Jackson mostly signed hats and memorabilia for folks next to the stage.
Another few songs would have been nice, but at least Jackson is leaving the rap music to someone else.
Jim Abbott can be reached at jabbott@orlandosentinel.com or 407-420-6213.
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