Alabama Album: “Ultimate Alabama: 20 #1 Hits”

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Liner Note Author: Robert K. Oermann. <p>By the time Alabama embarked on its 2003 American Farewell Tour, it had become one of the most commercially successful groups in country music history, racking up more than 40 country chart-toppers. This hits collection features a score of the best, and provides a fine overview of the band's career in the process. Taking its cues equally from honky-tonk music and arena rock, while sporting long hair, casual clothing, and flashy double-neck guitars (recalling Led Zeppelin more than Lefty Frizzell image-wise), the ensemble revolutionized the look and sound of country music like few others before or since. <p>While some of Alabama's songs feature old-style close-harmony singing and lyrics that revel in the group's rural roots ("Mountain Music," "Song of the South"), others ("Reckless," "Take Me Down") are awash in jangly guitars and snappy snare drums, often sounding as pop as anything by Leo Sayer or Richard Marx. Lead vocalist Randy Owen's warm, friendly, and decidedly down-home baritone is the band's most consistent thread, always anchoring its stylistic diversions. A concise compilation for fans, ULTIMATE ALBAMA: 20 #1 HITS is also a perfect introduction for newcomers to this revered country act.

The ultimate Alabama collection is, of course, For the record 41 number one hits but not everybody wants to buy a double CD. This compilation addresses that situation by providing 20 of those number ones on a single CD. As they had so many number ones, there is bound to be some debate about track selection. My biggest disappointments were the omission of In pictures and Old flame, but overall I think the track selection is about right.

Alabama were always the champions of the blue collar workers, most clearly illustrated on Forty hour week, in which they pay tribute to all those who keep America going. It's a great song, but there are several others I like even better. Tennessee River, one of my favorites, was Alabama's first number one. Hank Williams Junior did a great cover of it for his Rowdy album, which is one of his best albums. My favorites also include Feels so right, Song of the south and Mountain music - but most of the other songs are not far behind.

This is a wonderful collection which may not appeal to the critics, but the fans love it, and it's not difficult to see why. Nevertheless, I would still recommend the double CD instead of this if you can afford it.

If you love Alabama's classics, this is the CD for you. All the popular songs are included. Alabama is a good ol' country group that will never grow old. Get this CD!

This is one of the great bands for county, I have enjoyed listening and singing along with them for many years now. I wish they were still recording and touring.

Love this group from day one, songs like: Love In The First Degree, Reckless, Feels So Right, Why Lady Why, I'm In A Hurry, There's No Way, You've Got The Touch, Take Me Down, and of course MOUNTAIN MUSIC. If you love Alabama; you will want to purchase this CD.....