Riding around with mom in the back seat of the family’s 1980’s Buick, I distinctly remember the sounds of Alabama coming from the tape deck or Whistle 100, the local country radio station. I could sing every word of their Christmas album at 10 years old. And even my dad, who didn’t really get into recorded music that much (he loved live music but never bought records) knew some of the words to these tunes. So, a family trip to the beach in 1988 may have consisted of me and my younger brother and sister fighting over the space in the backseat while Randy Owen belted out “Roll On.â€
This latest tribute, entitled High Cotton: a Tribute to Alabama, features a nice smathering of alt-country artists doing their take on a few of the classics. Some got it right, while others missed the mark. Alabama had a knack for making even their sad songs come to life. “I’m in a Hurry (And Don’t Know Why)†in Jessica Lea Mayfield’s hands feels depressing as hell and Lucero’s “The Closer You Get†could have used a tempo bump. I’m sure the crowd would go wild if they broke this one out live, but it just didn’t translate as well on this recording.
On the other hand, Old Crow Medicine Show’s version of “Dixieland Delight†stays close to the original and features some nice harmonies. The Turnpike Troubadours also do a great job of capturing the band’s sound on “If You’re Gonna Play in Texas (You’ve Gotta Have a Fiddle in the Band)†with some kickin’ pickin’ and vocals. As does Jason Boland and the Stragglers with “Mountain Music.†And maybe that’s what I’m missing on some of these songs, the vocals. Alabama had a hell of a lead singer with tight backing vocals and tip top Nashville production. Sure, the tunes may sound a little dated listening back to the original Alabama recordings now, but they surprisingly hold up well.
For the youngsters that don’t know Alabama, or think they are too hip to enjoy 1980’s country, this would serve as a nice introduction to the biggest band in the genre from that decade, but I would strongly recommend they go back and check out the originals if they like these songs.
RIYL: parking in a holler, turtledoves, red tail hawks
About the author: Producer, Engineer, Musician and all around music enthusiast.