Customer Reviews

Livin' Lovin' Rockin' Rollin': The 25th Anniversary Collection

5 star:		(10)
4 star:		(6)
3 star:		(1)
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1 star:		(0)

 

 

In celebration of 25 years since their signing to RCA, the newly formed RCA/Legacy has issued the group's first triple-disc set. In contrast to 2005's two-disc "Essential" set, this collection is more of a full band biography than a straightforward recitation of their chart hits. There are hits to be heard (including nearly two-dozen #1s, seventeen in their original studio incarnation, and a half-dozen in live or alternate versions), but there's also a good helping of cherry-picked album tracks, and eight previously unreleased sides. Together with the richly detailed 52-page book (which includes a lengthy essay by Robert Oermann, track annotations, a band timeline and a generous helping of rare photos), this is a lot more than a triple-CD set, it's a package that tells the band's entire story, including their chronology, live performances, and, as mentioned, a good helping of their incredible string of hits.

Over the course of their 22 years with RCA, Alabama defined what it was to be a successful country music band. In an industry dominated by star singers and their backing players, Alabama looked to both the '70s Southern rock experience (Allmans, et al.) and the twangy style of Nashville to forge a new country identity. Their electric guitars and drums are topped with pure country harmonies, and their songs (both originals and those picked up from others' pens) were down-home. While the rock world was busy with the purposely artificial sounds of new wave throughout the '80s, Alabama kept the guitars and drums burning, particularly in their live performances, and turned out touching ballads with equal ease. Their '90s hits like "I'm in a Hurry (and Don't Know Why)" are prime examples of how modern country could take in pop influences without becoming crossover mush, and latter-day top-20s like "The Cheap Seats" and "Born Country" are filled with warmth.

Those looking to understand Alabama's chart dominance may be better served by last year's two-disc set, but anyone who wants to learn (or relive) the band's whole story would be well-served by this new set. Longtime fans will enjoy the opportunity to recount select album tracks, listen to several well-known hits in live versions (and in the case of "Face to Face," an alternate studio take), and hear unreleased items that include the one-off 1982 live medley of "That Silver Haired Daddy of Mine / Suppertime / Teach Your Children / Don't It Make You Want to Go Home" and the 1973 Randy Owen acoustic demo of "Ripperly O'Tucke." Those who first heard these songs in their original release may find the lack of chronological ordering to be disconcerting, but overall the programming flows smoothly.

This isn't the all-encompassing Alabama box set that will satiate everyone's needs - there are far too many hits missing, or replaced by live versions to be definitive. But as a retelling of the rise and sustained artistry of country music's most successful band - the band that defined success as a country music group - it's a winner. [©2006 hyperbolium dot com]

Well, just play me some "Mountain Music." It's been 25 years since Alabama signed its first record deal with RCA, and in celebration RCA/Legacy has released the three-disc box set Alabama: Livin' Lovin' Rockin' Rollin': The 25th Anniversary Collection, covering the Alabama phenomenon.

Unlike 2005's The Essential Alabama set, this collection cherry picks songs from across the years. Plenty of hits are to be had as well as eight previously unreleased tracks. The set comes with a detailed 52-page book with photos, band timeline, track annotations and an essay by Robert Oermann. This set tells about the band's legacy and gives you an understanding of why RIAA named them the "Country Band of the Century."

From the get go, disc 1 captures you with "My Home's In Alabama (Live)," "Forty Hour Week (For A Livin')," an anthem for millions of people, and a seven-plus minute medley of "That Silver Haired Daddy of Mine/Suppertime/Teach Your Children/Don't It Make You Want To Go Home." This is followed by "Mountain Music," which always gets my foot tapping.

Disc 2 starts out with "Feels So Right," a song that millions (me included) slow danced to many times in the '80s. A song that surprised me was Alabama's version of "God Must Have Spent A Little More Time on You," with 'N Sync doing the harmony vocals. Though 'N Sync made the song famous, Alabama added real feeling to it. Granted, they're different music genres, but it's the quintessential Alabama that has been keeping it "real" all these years while America's popular music tastes have varied widely from the artificial sounding '80s, the grunge '90s and whatever it's called today.

Disc 3 just keeps the good music rolling and finishes off with an interesting trio of songs, the story-telling "Ripperly O'Tucke (Demo)," the name dropping "Hats Off" and ending appropriately with "The Fans."

51 songs including almost two dozen number one songs, over half a dozen live/alternate versions, and eight previously unreleased tracks, Livin' Lovin' Rockin' Rollin' is worthy of anyone's music collection.

"We hope you remember, we are just the boys in the band. And what keeps the fires a'burnin,' is always, you the fans." Many fans remember fondly all right. Alas, the band's retirement from the road won't keep fans from looking forward to more recordings.

This is a great box set. The song selection for each disc fits perfect. Each disc has a different "theme". Disc one deals with songs about livin - Forty Hour Week, Roll On, High Cotton. The second disc about lovin - Feels So Right, Forever's As Far As I'll Go, and If I Had You. The third disc about - you guessed it - rockin. Of course my favorite disc to listen to is the rockin disc. It includes awesome live versions of Vacation and If It Ain't Dixie It Won't Do. Plus hits like Sad Lookin Moon, I'm in a Hurry, and When It All Goes South.

Thanks to the Alabama boys for reaching into their own personal collection for some of these rarities. The unreleased live songs were originally recorded on cassette tape but they sound excellent. Last but definately not least is the 1973 demo, Ripperly O' Tucke, what a great song.

After all the Alabama Greatest Hits collection that RCA has released in the past couple years, it's nice to have a collection like this. It appears that a lot of thought has gone into this. That is evident by the book that comes with the set. (By the way, if you order the songs from ITunes, you miss out on this). All in all, this is a CD that I would recommend to anyone, not just for collectors.

Picked this up the day it came out. Box sets, in my opinion, should not simply be a greatest hits compilation especially if it is not labeled as such. This is the case with Alabama. They have had SO many greatest hits packages that it wouldn't make sense to put them out again. This contains many of their big hits, plus several live cuts, and album cuts. My only gripe is that many of these album cuts show why they were never issued as singles. For a group that had as many number 1 and top ten hits as they did, they probably could have sprinkled in a few more hits and live cuts and left off a few of the album cuts. But then again, no pun intended, I am guessing Randy and the boys put what they wanted in this set. Overall, 4 out of 5 stars from me. I found it to be an enjoyable collection.

This Anniversary album is a must have for anyone who appreciates what country music is all about. The group's timeline and explanation of how each song on the album came to be is great. The pictures provided are awesome and help explain their roots in Ft. Payne, AL and what the "Boys" have accomplished. The mix of songs is great and a few that I'd never heard before. If you don't have it, get it.

Derek Kidd

Are you an Alabama fan? Then you must own this box set. Virtually every track recorded by this legendary group is included-and then some. I love it. You will love the live version of "My Home's in Alabama." Some forgotten songs like "Angels Among Us" are on here as well. Even if you own all their albums, you still might want to get this as a collector's item or just to remind you that Alabama paved the way for the "group concept" in country music. My favorite tracks? Too many to name. Buy it to see for yourself.

This group was in its heyday when I was in high school. I love listening to all the old songs again! This is a great collection!

Love Alabama! This is a collection of the best of Alabama and know, if you're an Alabama fan, you'll love it!

This item was purchased three days before Christmas for a gift. It came in time and was the exact gift that she wanted. Thanks Amazon for your expediency and having the item to send so quickly.

I've never been a real big fan of Alabama's. But this box set is no where near the BEST of Alabama. I think the BEST Alabama Set your ever going to get is there Just For The Record 41 Number One Hits. That's the Best Set I've been able to find anywhere.