Customer Reviews

Essential

5 star:		(6)
4 star:		(4)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

This compilation is great, except for the fact that half a dozen of some of the most popular songs are the shorter radio versions, not their extended album versions that most people are probably familiar with.

Here's a run-down of the differences that I've noticed:

1. Removed from the beginning of Mountain Music the harmonica solo and the old man talking about climbing the mountain. Drum solo also removed.
2. Removed the truck sounds from the start and finish of Roll On (Eighteen Wheeler).
3. Cut the two fiddle solos from Dixieland Delight and the fadeout is much shorter, cutting off much of the chorus at the end.
4. Cut the fiddle solo from If You Wanna Play in Texas.
5. Almost two whole minutes stripped from the end of She and I.

There may be more, but these were the most obvious for me.

While including the original radio versions may seem fine to some, others of us are most familiar with the extended-length album versions and the short versions just don't sound right. Also, I feel that a career compilation ought to include the full versions of songs. There's just something that feels less "complete" about this set, at least to this picky listener.

The reason for including the shorter, radio versions is obvious: it's so that RCA could fit three new songs in (new, at least, in '98, when this compilation was first released). Those three songs are quite good and enjoyable, but they put them on to sell the compilation, at the expense of some of the more popular classics.

Aside from the half-dozen shortened songs, this is an otherwise great CD set. As stated, this is a re-release of 98's For the Record set that was available until recently. It may've been digitally remastered; I'm not sure. The songs sound very clear and powerful, even the oldest ones.

This is a very nice CD set with simply terrific music and audio quality, but know what you're buying. Some of the songs are not the versions that you know by heart and very likely will annoy picky fans. If, however, you aren't picky, are new to Alabama, or have the extended versions of the affected songs, already, then this is a nice set that'll provide you with the essential hits of the greatest country band ever.

Please note that this is a straight re-issue of a previous compilation (For the record - 41 number one hits) with a different title and packaging.

41 number one hits (and they've had a 42nd since then) on the American country charts is an impressive record by any standards. They've also had a lot of other hits which came close. One of my favorite Alabama songs, Pass it on down, peaked at number two, therefore didn't make this collection. Their debut single, My home's in Alabama, only peaked at number 16 and also misses out. I'm not complaining really, but it would be nice to see another compilation - perhaps it could be called Not the number one hits (it would contain a lot of quality songs, and would be better than most Greatest hits collections).

What you get here is three songs recorded especially for this album, one of which made number one when eventually released as singles, together with all those 41 hits.

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. One of my favorites, In pictures, is a cover of a song first recorded by Linda Davis. It is about being so busy working that you don't see much of your family except in pictures. Tennessee River, another 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 Old flame, Feels so right, Mountain music, Song of the south and Hometown honeymoon - but most of the other songs are not far behind.

Alabama wrote nearly all their own material, but they did occasionally record covers. Apart from In pictures, the only one to qualify for this collection is Touch me when we're dancing, previously recorded by the Carpenters. This is a wonderful collection that may not appeal to the critics, but the fans love it, and it's not difficult to see why.

This is a double CD with 44 cuts - not a single as listed in Amazon

This is a reissue of a previously released Alabama CD "For The Record:41 Number One Hits"

Great CD - but know what you are buying

We would rate this CD 5 star, IF it had some of the long versions of the songs we remember, especially Roll On Eighteen Wheeler. We never had any Alabama albums, but loved their songs and remember the LONG VERSIONS being played on the radio here. We did have a trucker song cassette, which also had the long version of Roll On. That is what we were hoping to get on this CD, but alas, it only has the short version of this and other songs. They are good, but these songs seem lacking. We have been unable to find a current CD with the long version of Roll On. Overall, this is a good CD, but I'd like to see a LONG VERSION CD in the future, which we would happily buy.

What I wanted was a strong assortment of Alabama hits. I got it.

I'm a huge Alabama follower and have no regrets with buying this album.
Excellent group, awesome music and lyrics and enjoyable listening.
I'd resommend this album for any country fan.

This Alabama music collection is definitely handy to own if you or someone else close to you enjoys Alabama. My husband is a fan of Alabama's music, and this was one of the reasons for me to have purchased this cd. Many of the songs on the Alabama cd are gems that grow on you each listen. I can personally attest to this. I normally am prone to listen to alot of music from the pop, dance, and rock genres. However, I am open to listen to other musical genres when many of the songs on the cd are great. This is one such cd that has many great songs. My husband's favorite song is "Born Country". My favorite song on the cd is "She and I". If you are a country music fan then definitely get this cd. If you are open minded to good music from many musical genres, then this cd is also for you. What I also love is that there are songs in this collection to appeal to different moods. If you are in a romantic mood some of the songs to listen to are "Dixieland Delight", "Take Me Down", and "There's a Fire In the Night". If you want to listen to happiness booster songs there are songs such as "Forty Hour Week (For a Livin')" and "Down Home". There are other good songs to appeal to the various moods from this wonderful collection, but I wanted to give a sampler from some of their classics. Last but not least, this is definitely one of the musical collections that give you your money's worth.

Alabama is the best country band ever,period. 'Nuff said. Can't make it any plainer and this is ALL of their hits. Country with a little rock built in. THE best country band EVER.

I love it! The cd's are great! It was exactly what I wanted.
Thank you. I would definitely recommend this to Alabama fans.

This is one special collection for return on the 80's years.
Optimal to listen in the car.