Nashville, TN. (Top40 Charts/ RCA Records) - Legendary super group
Alabama follows the chart-topping success of last year's Songs of Inspiration with the March 27 release of the companion Songs of Inspiration Volume II. Last year's release marked the first new album for the band in over five years and its No 1 debut on Billboard's Top Country Albums Chart and Top Christian/Gospel Albums Chart as well as the Top Current Contemporary Christian Chart marked the first time an
Alabama album entered any album chart in the top spot since the inception of SoundScan in 1991.
'This project is about performing these songs and just laying your heart and soul on the line vocally,' explains Randy Owen. 'Some of it with tears and some with so much feeling that it takes all you can to get the words out. That is all compiled in this project and it's truly special.'
Songs of Inspiration Volume II is a collection of traditional hymns, standards as well as two original songs. Included are classics like 'Will The Circle Be Unbroken,' 'Down By The Riverside,' ' Lonesome Valley ' and 'The Star Spangled Banner.' The album will be simultaneously released by RCA Records to traditional retailers and by Provident Music Group to the Christian retail outlets.
Owen continues, 'The music is more about traditional, inspirational songs that I grew up listening to as a little kid and that have been handed down. These are songs that my mother, grandmother and grandfather - some who have gone and some who are still with us - would like.'
Two original songs, 'When It Comes My Time,' written by Teddy Gentry and 'One Life,' written by Buck Moore and Eric Todd were also recorded for the album. The Del McCoury Band provided vocals and instrumentation on 'Will The Circle Be Unbroken' and Riders In The Sky sing vocals on 'Love Lifted Me. '
While fans await the release, they can also catch front man Randy Owen as a celebrity guest judge on the new season of USA 's Nashville Star.
Track listing for Alabama - Songs of Inspiration Volume II:
1. I Am A Pilgrim
Public Domain; Arranged by Randy Owen (BMI)
2. Children In The Wildwood
Public Domain; Arranged by Randy Owen (BMI)
3. Will The Circle Be Unbroken
AP Carter (BMI)
4. If I Could Hear My Mother Pray Again
Public Domain / James Rowe / James Vaughan; Arranged by Randy Owen (BMI)
5. Suppertime
Jimmie Davis (BMI)
6. Down By The Riverside
Public Domain; Arranged by Randy Owen (BMI)
7. Precious Memories
Public Domain / Lonnie B. Combs / J.B.F. Wright; Arranged by Randy Owen (BMI)
8. Lonesome Valley
Public Domain; Arranged by Randy Owen (BMI)
9. The Refrain of John Dillon James
Ronnie Rogers (BMI)
10. Love Lifted Me
Public Domain / James Rowe / Howard E. Smith; Arranged by Randy Owen (BMI)
11. When It Comes My Time
Teddy Gentry (BMI)
12. One Life
Buck Moore/Eric Todd (BMI)
13. The Star Spangled Banner
Sherrill Brown (BMI)
Public Domain / Francis Scott Key; Arranged by Randy Owen (BMI)
