Greetings From Alabama

by Various Artists

The songs on this CD are a true musical smorgasbord. The achingly pure country harmony of the Louvin Brothers tells us about an Alabama that may have all but disappeared in the past half century. That old-time charm is also evident in Pee Wee King’s Alabama Moon - a track that includes a lovely and unexpected 4-bar steel guitar solo. Wilf Carter was from Nova Scotia, but that didn’t stop him from singing the state’s praises (at breakneck tempo) on Alabama Saturday Night. Likewise, Dick Curless, who grew up over a thousand miles north in Maine, uses his rich vocal style to tell us about his southern mama in Old Ramblin’ Alabama Me. Pop vocalist Ella Mae Morse, who hailed from Texas, tells us all about Birmingham in a decidedly brassy big band style, while Bobby Bare sings the poignant tale of Alabama Rose. Two of the biggest hits on this collection are Red Foley’s Alabama Jubilee and Cowboy Copas’ Alabam, both of which crossed over the great divide and enjoyed some pop as well as country music success.