Sweet Home Alabama [SOUNDTRACK]

Various Artists (Composer)

Product Details

• Audio CD (September 24, 2002)
• Original Release Date: September 27, 2002
• Number of Discs: 1
• Format: Soundtrack
• Label: Hollywood Records
• ASIN: B00006JCFX
• In-Print Editions: MP3 Download
• Average Customer Review: 3.9 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (32 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #23,823 in Music (See Bestsellers in Music)

Editorial Reviews

Amazon.com

Much like Reese Witherspoon's transplanted Southern belle character, the songs on Sweet Home Alabama have their hearts and affections rooted deep in the heart of Dixie. Sheryl Crow is almost unrecognizable yodeling and twanging on her version of Hank Williams's country-porch picker, and Shannon McNally adds grace to a smoky, strings-and-blues guitar-strewn number. Uncle Kracker's acoustic-based cut lopes like a cowpoke and Dolly Parton contributes a vintage square-dance stomper, while newcomer Jason Chain's "You Got Me," a standout, is halfway between roots rock and R.E.M.-ish jangle. Surprisingly, noted alt-country leaner Ryan Adams channels the churning, belching riffs and mannerisms of Led Zeppelin, and Jewel chooses to rock out on Lynyrd Skynyrd's classic with distortion and sultry, weathered vocals. Other deviations from country style don't fare as well--Avril Lavigne's "Falling Down" is generic alt-rock lite, the Freestylers' raucous jazz-funk scatting is misplaced, and the Calling's faithful take on "Keep Your Hands to Yourself" is strained rather than lighthearted. In the end, roughly half of Alabama's tracks qualify as true gems in the rough, although wading through the filler to find them might cause some old-fashioned country-style heartbreak of your own. --Annie Zaleski

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

9 of 9 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars "Southern State of Mind", October 12, 2002

By	Gennie Bailey (Savannah, Georgia United States) - See all my reviews

One cannot help but instantly fall in love with the soundtrack to "Sweet Home Alabama". Where else can you find country, bluegrass, alt-country, rock, and dance? The songs on the cd cover a broad range of musical tastes and include some of the hottest singers of today and a few of the legends from the past.

Jewel kicks off the cd with a suprisingly awesome version of the legendary Lynyrd Skynyrd megahit "Sweet Home Alabama". This song has been redone in the past, but I have to say that this version is the best I've heard yet. Where most would trash the quality, Jewel adds her own special touch and the result is rockin!

Country group SHeDaisy have one of the strongest performances of the album with "Mine All Mine". Written by Kristyn Osborn, one third of the sister act, "Mine All Mine" reflects the struggle of the movie's character, who is torn between the man of her future and the man of her past. The harmony's of the Osborn sisters quite takes your breath away. Simply stunning.

The biggest surprise of the album, in my opinion, is Avril Lavigne's "Falling Down". What you expect is the punk rock riffs that have made her popular. What you get is a mature, well written, beautifully delivered song about "falling back down to Earth". It's definantely one of the highlights of the soundtrack.

One of the most enjoyable performances on the album comes from veteran rocker Sheryl Crow, who lends her voice to the legendary Hank Williams' "Long Gone Lonesome Blues". Gone is the rock queen we've all grown accustomed to hearing and in comes the laid-back, guitar-picking country diva from within. It's amazing to listen to Sheryl sing this song and you're almost transported back to the golden days of country and the Grand Ole Opry. It has all of the makings of a big radio hit if the powers that be are smart enough to release it.

A few of my favorite tracks include: Ryan Adams' and Uncle Kracker's southern-rock flavored "Gonna Make You Love Me" and "To Think I Used To Love You (DJ Homicide Remix), the sweet-voiced country/bluegrass legend Dolly Parton's "Marry Me", Jason Chain's "You Got Me", and Shannon Mcnally's "Now That I Know".

The only song that I really had a problem with was The Calling's remake of "Keep Your Hands to Yourself". Yes, their version still rocks and keeps to the original lines of The Georgia Satellites , but it almost sounds like they're trying too hard. Now don't get me wrong, it's not a bad song. I just wish that The Calling would've added their own little touch to it instead of trying to immitate the original.

If you're looking for an eclectic mix of great music, then the "Sweet Home Alabama" soundtrack is just for you. This is one soundtrack that should be played with the speakers cranked up! One of the best soundtracks I've ever heard.

Gennie Bailey-Rogers

7 of 8 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Great Electic Mix, October 2, 2002

By A Customer

Loved this CD. Bought it after I saw the movie. The movie wasn't great, but it was sweet and you left feeling good, what more could you want. The music was even better. Especially loved "Bring on the Day" by Charlotte Martin, "You Got Me", but Jason Chain, and really loved Shannon McNally's "Now that I know". They should be playing these on the radio. Great mixture of different styles of music so it wasn't boring. And, I actually liked Jewel's version of Sweet Home Alabama after I listened to it a few more times. Buy it.

6 of 7 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A great soundtrack!, April 10, 2003

By	F. Mercer "bibliophile" (Phoenix, NY United States) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

Unlike a lot of reviewers, I love the Jewel cover of the title song--it's mellow and cool. This is a fun soundtrack with a great variety of songs. I particularly love the Dolly Parton track. I highly recommend it for all you "rock-a-billies" out there!