The difference between
Alan Jackson
's 2006 album
Precious Memories
and its 2013 sequel
Precious Memories, Vol. 2
can be seen in the cover art as well as heard in its grooves. On the cover of the 2006 album is a sepia-tinted photo of
Jackson
sitting on the steps of an old church; on the cover of
Vol. 2
is a crisp, clean color snapshot of the singer in a studio, consciously posing for the camera. Similarly, the first
sounded old and dusty, as authentic as a small-town church, but this second volume is stark and bright, sounding as contemporary as the day it was recorded. This transparency doesn't hurt this collection of familiar hymns -- "Amazing Grace," "O How I Love Jesus," "Precious Memories," "When the Roll Is Called Up Yonder" are some of the featured tunes here -- but this does mean that the album doesn't feel quite as warm and cozy as its predecessor. Nevertheless, this is a reverent, resonant spiritual album distinguished by its sweet sincerity. ~ Stephen Thomas Erlewine