Alabama - Songs of Inspiration
List Price:
Our Price: $5.01
You Save: $13.97 (74%)
Availability: Usually ships in 1-2 business days
Buy Used: from $1.99 (click here)
Category: Music CD
See more CD details
Buy this Music CD at online store in your country
Canadian Music Store
Canadian Music Store
CD Details
Artist: AlabamaEdition: Music CD
Published: 2006-10-24
CD Release Date: 2006-10-24
Model: N03-011111
Music Label: RCA
Soundtracks:
- His Eye Is On The Sparrow
- In The Graden
- Amazing Grace
- How Great Thou Art
- I Need Thee
- Old Sheep
- Jesus Loves Me
- Silent Night
- I Am The Man Thomas
- Rock Of Ages
- In The Sweet By And By
- The Old Rugged Cross
- What Will I Leave Behind
- One Big Heaven
- Rain
Music reviews of Songs of Inspiration
Music Review: Alabama Inspires with New CD
Rating: 3 Stars
Prime Cuts: Rain, Old Sheep, I Need Thee
Within the zeitgeist of country music, it is almost mandatory for its artists to dabble into the great canon of Christian hymns. Alan Jackson, Randy Travis, Paul Overstreet and even LeAnn Rimes, all have fronted such a sacred foray with various degrees of success. However, it has taken Alabama an entire career and 5 years since their last studio album to pay homage to 13 carefully numinous selections from the Southern hymnbook plus 2 originals courtesy of lead singer Randy Owens' pen. Abandoning their patented country rock grooves in favor of a more understated almost acoustic sounding backing, this is also the first Owens produced CD. Conversely, suspicion abounds with regards to RCA Records' commitment to their once mega-hit producing lodestar: why wasn't a top notched helmsman assigned to these guys? Also, considering country radio's probity to inspirational tunes (e.g., Carrie Underwood's number 1 "Jesus Take the Wheels") it's almost a blasphemy not to service a single to radio. Further, with its shoddy designed CD front, one has to wonder how much of a budget was imparted in the crafting of this disc.
Nevertheless, with label politics aside, the highlight of this release is still Randy Owens' vocals. When Owens opens his mouth, his parenetical and full-bodied baritone commands presence. Especially, on the traditional gospel favorite "How Great Thou Art," Owens' subdued yet passionate vocals creates some awe-inspiring moments backed only by a soft tickling of a piano. Similarly, on "In the Garden," the strumming of the guitar in the first verse, before the encore of a small ensemble of rustic instruments and a choir; Owens' carefully nuanced vocals are stirring. While the Issacs-supported "I Need Thee," a devotional paean of dependence on God, gives recess for the world weary soul. "Rain," the first of two Owens' originals, is consummate Alabama with its full-blown rock equipped with snarling guitars and thumping drums. "Rain," an uptempo country rocker, petitions the Lord for relief and restoration on the barren soul.
On the other hand, the album suffers from too many over familiar tunes such as "Rock of Ages," "The Old Rugged Cross" and so forth. Thus, Red Foley's "Old Sheep," a lesser known number, is welcoming. However, "One Big Heaven," the second original, though likeable in its melody, suffers from too much political correctness and theological deviation in re-imagining heaven as a configuration of people of all faiths. While Ralph Stanley's gravel sounding vocals on the bluegrassy "I Am the Man Thomas" and Owens' reverent rendition of "Silent Night" both seem out of place.
On the whole, though "Songs of Inspiration" faults on the lack of ingenuity of song choices, it is still a fine record; carefully executed and performed with a tepid glow. After all, the years of recording and number one records have made them veterans as far as recording is concerned. With Owens' affirming delivery and the group's tight gospel-like harmonies, these songs still continue to inspire elevating this record a step above their peers.
Description of Songs of Inspiration
CD Tradition: Songs Of InspirationChristian & Gospel CDs
Music Genres
Bestsellers in Christian & Gospel CDs
![Welcome Home [VHS] Image](/images/Welcome-Home-VHS-6304326335-X.jpg){kind=small}
Ron Kenoly - Welcome Home [VHS]Sony; Release date: 1997-01-21; VHS Tape; VHS Video
Best price: $24.95
![Amy Grant's Old Fashioned Christmas [VHS] Image](/images/noimg.gif)
Amy Grant - Amy Grant's Old Fashioned Christmas [VHS]A&M Video; Release date: 1992-10-06; VHS Tape; VHS Video
Best price: $38.80
![Roots of Gospel 1 [VHS] Image](/images/Roots-of-Gospel-1-VHS-6301944860-X.jpg){kind=small}
Roots of Gospel - Roots of Gospel 1 [VHS]Xenon; Release date: 1994-06-07; VHS Tape; VHS Video
Best price: $3.90
Price in other shops:
Bed Bug Bible Gang - Dandy Dreams [VHS]Insp Music; Release date: 2002-10-21; VHS Tape; VHS Video
Best price: $44.98
Southern Classic Series - Southern Gospel Alive 2 [VHS]Homeland Records; Release date: 2002-09-10; VHS Tape; VHS Video
Best price: $12.98
Price in other shops:
Your Path, Buddha's PathAnahata Press; Audio CD; Book
Best price: $12.99
Price in other shops:
Bed Bug Bible Gang - God's Little Heroes [VHS]Insp Music; Release date: 2002-10-21; VHS Tape; VHS Video
Best price: $7.98
Price in other shops:
![What's Love Got to Do With It [VHS] Image](/images/What-Love-Got-to-Do-With-It-VHS-1578555051-X.jpg){kind=small}
T.D. Jakes - What's Love Got to Do With It [VHS]Td Jakes; Release date: 2000-05-16; VHS Tape; VHS Video
Best price: $15.95
Price in other shops:
![Gospel According to Al Green [VHS] Image](/images/Gospel-According-to-Al-Green-VHS-1572524049-X.jpg){kind=small}
Gospel According to Al Green [VHS]Winstar; Release date: 1998-12-22; VHS Tape; VHS Video
Best price: $6.62
Price in other shops:
U Kids Favorite Sing-A-LongsMadacy Entertainment Group; Published: 1998-01; Audio CD; Book
Best price: $5.99
Price in other shops:
Similar CDs
Johnny Cash - Cash: Ultimate GospelRelease date: 2007-03-06; Music CD
Best price: $5.42
Price in other shops:
Randy Travis - Three Wooden Crosses: The Inspirational Hits Of Randy TravisTRAVIS,RANDY; Release date: 2009-03-17; Music CD
Best price: $7.44
Price in other shops:
Randy Travis - Worship & FaithRelease date: 2003-11-11; Music CD
Best price: $7.94
Price in other shops:
Alabama - ChristmasRelease date: 1998-04-07; Music CD
Best price: $2.31
Price in other shops:
Country's 20 Classic Gospel: Songs of CenturyRelease date: 2004-05-04; Music CD
Best price: $11.41
Price in other shops:
Alabama - Songs of Inspiration IIRelease date: 2007-03-27; Music CD
Best price: $18.97
Price in other shops:
Three Wooden CrossesRelease date: 2006-08-29; Music CD
Best price: $2.94
Price in other shops:
George Jones - Gospel CollectionRelease date: 2003-04-01; Published: 2003; Music CD
Best price: $5.73
Price in other shops:
Alan Jackson - Precious MemoriesRelease date: 2006-02-28; Published: 2006-06-06; Music CD
Best price: $12.19
How Great Thou Art: Gospel Favorites Live from the Grand Ole OpryRelease date: 2008-02-05; Published: 2008-02-05; Music CD
Best price: $7.64
Price in other shops: