Ultimate Alabama 20 # 1 Hits

iTunes Review

Spanning two decades (1980 through 2000), this collection comprises 20 chart toppers by one of the most enduring and successful country bands (next to the Oak Ridge Boys). The hits here aren’t sequenced chronologically, but they come together to play cohesively like a proper album, rather than a collaged mosaic. The 1992 song “Born Country” sets the tone with down-home pride, and 1990’s “Jukebox In My Mind” follows with honky-tonk soul (and a somewhat similarly dated production). But the title track to 1981’s Feels So Right exudes the kind of classic campfire warmth that Alabama fans know and love. And hearing the feel-good nature anthem “Mountain Music” after it makes perfect sense. The flawless vocal harmonies, fishhook-barbed melodies and rootsy instruments on “Tennessee River” fall into place so perfectly that this song could easily take residence in your head for days on end. Craving a classic country ballad? Try the waltzing “Why Lady Why,” especially if you’re burning a mix for that special cowgirl in your life — the song is so good it sounds like Charlie Rich could have penned it.