Customer Reviews

Songs of Inspiration II

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

 

 

I have always been a big fan of the group Alabama, and this is my favorite record yet. If you liked Songs of Inspiration, you will love this effort. It has many more uptempo songs and is really striking in its variety, from stone country (When it Comes My Time to Go) , to a cowboy campfire ballad (Love Lifted Me), to Dixieland jazz (Down by the Riverside), and several other styles. Very clever and original takes on some classic, fast-moving, and quick-tempoed songs. I loved the first Songs of Inspiration, but this one is a lot more "fun" and flows better from beginning to end. The album is even more spiritual than the first and has a theme which will resonate with many- the fleeting nature of life on earth and the eternal joy we will have when we see our loved one again "on the other side."

This album has some thirteen songs of inspiration, put together with that great Alabama style. Now, Volume 1 relied heavily on those great old hymns, which was wonderful. Volume 2 has some hymns, such as Church in the Wildwood, Will the Circle be Unbroken and Love Lifted Me (which is worth the purchase price of the album!), but moves out into more contemporary songs, with songs such as If I Could Hear My Mother Pray.

Overall, I found this to be a very good album. It's not the pure collection of old hymns that Volume 1 was, but it is still a wonderful and, yes, inspirational album to listen to. I highly recommend this album!

This album is great! I think this is a masterful follow up to the original release. The songs are God honoring, and good for the soul. I recommend this album.

This is an album with some down home old time inspirational music. It's a blessing to see such a popular secular group such as Alabama standing up to let the world know that they too are not ashamed to give the Lord the praise that is due unto his name. They have a volume 1 Songs of Inspiration but I like this one even better b/c it has more tempo variations and the music seems to address deeper subjects of the Christian walk. I definitely recommend it for listening for anyone who is trying to boost their walk with the Lord.

Prime Cuts: If I Could Hear My Mother Pray Again, One Life, When It Comes My Time to Leave

When "Songs of Inspiration" drops in at the pinnacle of the Billboard country album chart without even a radio single, Alabama continues to prove its viability as the bastion of country music. Five months after this successful jaunt, this second installment of the group's foray into inspirational favorites arrives. Recorded in the same session as the first volume, this set also finds lead singer Randy Owen in the producer seat. Further, a similar sonic semblance of gentler and acoustic-leaning underpinnings under gird this new disc. Hence, whether this new collection was initially planned or quickly garnered to capitalize on the success of the first volume remains debatable. Nevertheless, regardless of the album's sui genesis, thus far, "Vol. 2" has flared equally well coming in on the Billboard country album chart at no. 3, trailing only behind Tim McGraw and Carrie Underwood.

However, the major departure for this set is the presence of more traditional country inspirational numbers relative to just re-workings of traditional hymns of the church. Best of which is the obscure "If I Could Hear My Mother Pray Again," an understated guitar-driven mid-tempo reflection of times passed. This is made even more poignant by the group's sibling-like harmonies in the chorus. "Suppertime," a track associated at times with Johnny Cash, also continues the theme of nostalgia that tethers on the maudlin. "The Refrain of John Dillon James," a bluesy rock story song with an arresting plot, which finds Owen delivering with guts and gall. Also, calling back to mind Alabama at their rocking best is their rowdy version of "Down by the Riverside," a 180 degree-overturn of Alison Krauss' famed dirge-like rendition.

Of the two newly penned songs, Teddy Gentry's "When It's My Time to Go" is a gorgeous ballad about a life well-lived (which includes "having Jesus at my side"). Equipped with some tasty steel guitars over a well-crafted melody that calls to mind their "A Better Word for Love," this is indeed a fine piece of art. "One Life," coming from the pens of Eric Todd and Buck Moore, is also a top notched ballad, this time recounting the significance of Christ's birth. A track that ought to be do well during Christmas time. However, the tiresome rendition of old hymns such as "Precious Memories" and "Love Lifted Me" create some yawning moments. While the workman-like rendition of "Church in the Wildwood" sounds more demo-like than a finished product. And pushing the envelope of "inspirational" is the string-laden version of "The Star Spangled Banner." More befitting to the tenor of this CD, more verses (especially the more overtly Christian verses) of this anthem should have been included.

This set is a tad of an improvement from the first volume especially with the inclusion of more propulsive material. However, at times the arrangement of some of these tracks can benefit from a more imaginative production. And with already two volumes of inspiration songs, let's hope that the saturation point is reached. As much as inspirational songs are welcomed, Alabama is still at their best with their original secular material. Let's hope RCA Records will greet us with a new Alabama country record in the near future.

Alabama is one of the most successful C&W groups of all time and I would expect that any album they put out was going to be good. I gave this 4 stars simply because after awhile the songs all started to sound the same. That said, I still have most of the songs on an active playlist and often get comments from folks that didn't know they had Gospel Albums. I'd recommend it for anyone that enjoys a country style gospel.

Alabama and gospel -- You've got to hear Randy Owens sing Will the Circle Be Unbroken with guest vocalists Del and Ron McCoury.

I have been an Alabama fan for years. This CD is a huge disappointment. Most songs seem to all have the same rhythm and there is a total absence of dynamics. There is no excitement to the songs and the voices sound tired. The accompaniment is thin, at best. Their adaptation of "Precious Memories" is a travesty-dull, dull, dull.

I was a little disappointed when I heard this album. The songs are wonderful, but the arrangements are missing that great Alabama harmony.