The Alabama Boys "No Way I Can Lose"

The Alabama Boys

No Way I Can Lose

Every now and then you pick up a CD by a group that may not be nationally known and say WOW, this is good. And, as you listen you wonder why the group is not a household name? Why the group is not on a major label? Why aren’t they in heavy rotation on every gospel radio station? The CD spotlighted this month will certainly have you asking these questions. This month we review The Alabama Boys new CD titled “No Way I Can Lose.”

The Alabama Boys are back in a mighty way. Although we are very early into 2005, it is safe to say that The Alabama Boys’ new project “No Way I Can Lose” will be considered one of the best releases in gospel quartet music this year.

The first thing you will probably notice about the CD is that Eric Sharper, formerly of The Christianaires, is the Producer. That fact alone will raise your expectation and should get you excited about this project.

The project begins with the title track, “No Way I Can Lose.” This upbeat song will probably be the one that get the most airplay. We would not consider it a drive song, but it has an upbeat tempo that will get you clapping your hands and tapping your toes. Michael Leverett really works this song. You will not find any hard drive songs on this project. But that is okay, because what you do find is tight harmony between the lead singers and the background singers, smooth background singing on every song, and a great selection of songs.

There is something on this project for everyone, from the slow “I Expect To See Him,” to the upbeat tempo of the title track and “Something Got A Hold Of Me.” Another song worthy of special attention is “Learning To Lean.” Many groups have recorded “Learning to Lean.” Each generally brings their uniqueness style or distinctive story telling abilities to the song.

It is rare that a truly professional group will record this song just like someone else. Well, The Alabama Boys do not disappoint. This is definitely not Lee Williams or The Evereadys’ “Learning To Lean.” The Alabama Boys really put a great deal of emotion into this song. This is one song you will play over and over. This song and the title track alone are enough for you to add this CD to your collection.

As you allow The Alabama Boys to minister to you in song, you will notice that the instrumentation in each song never overshadows the vocals. You will also notice that there is just the right mix of up-tempo songs and slow ballads.

Although several of the songs have well known titles and are in fact old songs that have been done by others, you will appreciate The Alabama Boys’ fresh rendition of these songs. They have updated the tempo, and sometime slowed down the tempo, on these songs and have made them their own.

If there is a shortcoming to this project, it would be that it should have been recorded as a LIVE project. We are certainly not suggesting that the sound quality is lessened by the project being recorded in the studio, but the interplay of an audience would have been a plus. We would not be surprise if many of the songs on this project did not make it onto a “Live” recording. It will also not surprise us if The Alabama Boys, after this project, become a household name.

Overall, this project is just as well rounded as their previous release. We highly recommend adding this project to your gospel quartet collection. We give The Alabama Boys’ “No Way I Can Lose” a very solid 9 out of 10. You should be able to find this project in your local music store. If not, you can purchase a copy by clicking on The Alabama Boys. Click on the title to hear “Be Still and Know.”

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