Alabama Album: “For the Record: 41 Number One Hits”

Description :

Alabama: Randy Owen (vocals); Jeff Cook (vocals, fiddle, guitar); Teddy Gentry (vocals, bass); Mark Herndon (drums, percussion). Additional personnel: Don Cook (vocals); Brent Mason (6 & 12 string electric guitars, acoustic guitar); Mark Casstevens (acoustic guitar); Larry Franklin (fiddle); John Barlow Jarvis (piano, Hammond B-3 organ); Steve Nathan (keyboards); Lonnie Wilson (drums, percussion). Producers include: Don Cook, Harold Shedd, Larry McBride, Josh Leo, Alabama. Engineers: Mike Bradley, Mark Capps, Rick Riccio. Includes liner notes by Robert K. Oermann. "How Do You Fall In Love" was nominated for a 1999 Grammy for Best Country Performance By A Duo Or Group With Vocal. In 1980, country bands that played their own instruments and wrote their own songs were almost unheard of. Enter Alabama. 58 million records later, they're still going strong, and this two-CD set collects every single one of their 41 (!) number one hits. The key to Alabama's success is their versatility--as FOR THE RECORD illustrates, they've recorded Southern rock raveups ("Tennessee River"), hard country ("Jukebox In My Mind"), slick pop ("Love In the First Degree") and love ballads ("Once Upon A Lifetime"), and all of them have hit number one. Chalk it up to lead singer Randy Owen's distinctive, emotion-packed voice, the band's harmonies and their knack for choosing first-rate material. A quarter of this collection consists of Alabama's signature proud-to-be-from-Dixie anthems, like "Southern Star," "High Cotton" and "Born Country," but there's also a generous helping of their romantic numbers, like "Face to Face" and "Feels So Right." The band's flair for detailing the struggles of the everyday working Joe is illustrated in tracks like "40 Hour Week," "I'm In A Hurry" and "Roll On." And for fans who already have everything the band ever recorded, there are three new songs, including the outstanding ballad "How Do You Fall In Love."

When Alabama first came out, they were one of the few country acts to not only have a string of hit singles, but also have albums that you could listen and enjoy nearly every song. So many compilations have been issued featuring Alabama's best, but this is the first to encompass their entire career. I've always enjoyed Alabama, especially their early releases. What I don't enjoy is buying a $25 CD set and getting cut-up edited versions of songs. For instance, half the fiddle solo is cut out of "Dixieland Delight", the drum solo is cut out of "Mountain Music" and those are just a couple examples. I wish RCA would release a compilation featuring the versions that are on the original albums. That's how I remember the songs, that's how I want to hear them today.

Alabama is arguably the best country band in history. At the time they recorded this record they had and amazing forty one #1 hits. All 41 songs are included on this glorious two disc set, as are some previously unreleased songs, one of which was their 42nd #1 hit. My personal favorites are Fallin' Again, Southern Star, Face to Face, How Do You Fall In Love, Love In The First Degree and Close Enough To Perfect, but really almost every song here is enjoyable (They weren't #1 hits for nothing!) and this is a must for any Alabama or country fan. The only problem is that these are only the #1 hits, so some of the other hits they had that didn't reach #1 aren't included. But this is still a masterpiece of an album that should be in everybodies collection. Trust me on this one.

This is the first Alabama record I have ever purchased. I must say that it is a great record. My personal favorites are "Down Home", "Give Me One More Shot", "Reckless", "Forty Hour Week", and "In Pictures". These guys, despite the negative reviews from the "professional" critics who obviously don't know what real music is all about, have compiled 41 number one hits. Of the new material, "How Do You Fall In Love" became their 42nd number one hit. I also like "Keepin' Up". This was really worth the money I paid to get it. If you don't have it, get it.

I Have Been A Fan Of Alabama Since They Debuted In 1980. These Hits Rule. 40 Hour Week Is 1 Of The Best Songs On This CD. I Like Roll On 18 Wheeler, In Pictures, Forever's Far As I'LL Go, Down Home, Sad Looking Moon, Face To Face, And Jukebox In My Mind, And Southern Star. Those Are True Alabama Number 1 Classics. Alabama Is The Best Group In Country Music And Nobody Beats Them!!!!!!!!!!!!!

I have been raised listening to Alabama. Each song brought back a special memory for me. Even if you're not familiar with the old Alabama tunes, check it out anyway, because these songs are all timeless classics. They'll appeal to anyone today just like they did when they were first released. This is a must have for any Alabama fan, old or new.