Content
The release includes all of Jackson's number one hits on various trade charts, from his first, "Here in the Real World", to his (at the time) latest, "Country Boy".[5] Newly included in the release is his cover of Johnny Cash's "Ring of Fire" and Jackson's late-2010 contribution with Zac Brown Band, "As She's Walking Away".[2] "Look at Me", a song which was initially recorded for the soundtrack to Billy: The Early Years, was previously unreleased on a Jackson album.
The Essential Alan Jackson
34 Number Ones was re-released and re-packaged on April 17, 2012 as The Essential Alan Jackson. Both albums have an identical track listing.[6]
The Essential peaked at number 20 on the U.S. Billboard Top Country Albums chart.[7] It also reached #145 on the main Billboard album chart.
Personnel on new tracks
Adapted from liner notes.[8]
- Eddie Bayers – drums on "Ring of Fire" & "Look at Me"
- Coy Bowles – Hammond B-3 organ on "As She's Walking Away"
- Zac Brown – acoustic guitar and lead vocals on "As She's Walking Away"
- Clay Cook – electric guitar and background vocals on "As She's Walking Away"
- Jimmy De Martini – fiddle and background vocals on "As She's Walking Away"
- Larry Franklin – fiddle on "Ring of Fire"
- Paul Franklin – steel guitar on "Ring of Fire"
- Chris Fryar – drums on "As She's Walking Away"
- John Driskell Hopkins – bass guitar and background vocals on "As She's Walking Away"
- Alan Jackson – lead vocals
- Brent Mason – acoustic guitar on "Look at Me", electric guitar on "Ring of Fire"
- Gary Prim – piano on "Ring of Fire" & "Look at Me"
- John Wesley Ryles – background vocals on "Ring of Fire"
- Jimmie Lee Sloas – bass guitar on "Look at Me"
- Rafe Van Hoy – acoustic guitar on "Look at Me"
- John Willis – acoustic guitar on "Ring of Fire"
- Lee Ann Womack – background vocals on "Ring of Fire"
- Glenn Worf – bass guitar on "Ring of Fire"
