Search - Randy Owen :: One on One

Disappointing

Curtis Jones | Chattanooga, TN United States | 11/30/2008

(1 out of 5 stars)

"It's sad to see a lead singer who doesn't understand that he wasn't the sole reason for his group's success. The history of pop and country music, if written today would show mixed results in this area. For every Diana Ross, there's a David Ruffin. Mick Jagger is certainly the voice of the Rolling Stones, but he has only sold a handful of records from his solo attempts.



Apparently, some of Randy Owen's entourage told him that he WAS Alabama, and that his voice, and his picture on a CD cover (although heavily airbrushed, and/or fifteen years old) would take radio and retail by storm. It isn't happening.



Why? A lackluster selection of songs that do not deliver the "Alabama sound" that was popular to listeners and buyers 25 years ago. There's a reason that Alabama's last couple of studio albums (including the incredibly awful but well-named "When It All Goes South") tanked. When a musical act wears out its welcome and gets too smart for its own good, by changing producers and writing more of its own material, that act has jumped the shark.



Randy Owen is no longer the 30 year old energetic, smiling, fresh performer who was front man for a groundbreaking country-rock act. He is almost 60, and performs as if country radio and music buyers should automatically rush out and play his new music. There's just nothing really new here. Songs that would be appropriate for a 30 year old hunk just sound a bit creepy coming from a 60 year old man. And, when most people think of Alabama, they think of upbeat, bright, well-produced songs. "One on One" is largely slow and dated, which is a surprise considering the production efforts of John Rich. Maybe he's saving the good stuff for his own act.



So, while diehard Randy Owen fans may buy and praise this CD as a reward for Randy's longevity and goodwill, it's highly unlikely he'll win over many new fans. And despite his apparent distaste for his old band-mates, and the old songs, he will eventually have to realize that those songs are what he will be remembered for. It isn't easy to age in country music, while the Taylor Swifts of the world take over, but that's the way it is. And all the airbrushing and old pictures can't hide the fact that Randy Owen was just the singer in a Hall of Fame band with a great producer. Nice try, but without a radio hit, this CD is destined for the bargain bin."

Not Alabama

Nascar fan | 01/12/2009

(2 out of 5 stars)

"Dont' expect the kind of music we got from Alabama. I was disappointed with the quality of the songs."