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.
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.
Awesome, as only Alabama can do it! Wonderful old and new hymns of inspiration! Anyone who loves Alabama will fall in love with this cd.
Alabama and gospel -- You've got to hear Randy Owens sing Will the Circle Be Unbroken with guest vocalists Del and Ron McCoury.
I was a little disappointed when I heard this album. The songs are wonderful, but the arrangements are missing that great Alabama harmony.
