Amazon.com: Though it's hard to doubt the faith or fault the selection on Alabama's first album of religious inspiration--and first release of new recordings in more than five years--the arrangements range from the heavenly to the syrupy. The best are the simplest and purest, showing why familiar hymns such as "In the Garden," "How Great Thou Art," "Rock of Ages," and "The Old Rugged Cross" have such staying power. Yet the swelling (synthesized?) strings on "Amazing Grace" and "Silent Night" overwhelm rather than enhance the grace of the material, and the children's chorus provided by granddaughters of Alabama's Teddy Gentry on "Jesus Loves Me" is a little cloying. The unvarnished vocals of guest Ralph Stanley highlight the banjo-and-fiddle-driven "I Am the Man Thomas," and gospel's the Isaacs provide ethereal harmonies on "I Need Thee." Lead singer Randy Owen offers two strong originals to close the album, the ecumenical celebration of "One Big Heaven" and the uptempo "Rain" that sounds most like the old Alabama. --Don McLeese
Customer Reviews
Average Rating:
Rating: - Not up to par
I am very disappointed in this Alabama CD. It is not the Alabama quality or sound that they are known so well for. There is no heart in this CD. Randy Owens sounds like he couldn't care less. He said that it took 3 months to make this CD. Maybe he shouldn't have rushed!
Rating: - Songs of Inspiration -- Alabama
I love this CD. Every song is beautiful and I have listened over and over.
Rating: - horsemomwv
This is a great CD. My father just passed away and we played some of the music at his funeral.
Rating: - alabama songs of inspiration
The group Alabama ha always been a favorite of mine. However, this CD
is not their best work. I was disappointd in it and expected much more than I heard. I think this is just not their genra.
Rating: - Alabama Gospel
This product is excellent if you appreciate gospel. Very moving. Product arrived quickly and was easy to track.
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