Cheap Seats (Alabama album)
Encyclopedia
Cheap Seats is the twelfth studio album by the American country music
band Alabama
. Released in 1993 on RCA Records
, the album produced the singles "Reckless", "T.L.C. A.S.A.P." and "The Cheap Seats". Of these, "Reckless" was the band's final Number One hit on the Billboard
country charts, and "The Cheap Seats" was the band's first single in fourteen years to miss Top Ten of the charts. Alabama produced the album along with Josh Leo
and Larry Michael Lee, except for "Angels Among Us", which bassist Teddy Gentry produced.
Hot Country Singles & Tracks (now Hot Country Songs
) charts. First was "Reckless
", which became the band's thirty-second and final Number One hit on that chart. After it came the number seven "T.L.C. A.S.A.P.
", written by Gary Baker
and Frank J. Myers
, who then comprised the duo Baker & Myers
. The album's title track was the final single release; it was co-written by Randy Sharp
and Marcus Hummon
, who also played harmonica
on it. With a number thirteen peak, it became the band's first single to miss the country top ten since "My Home's in Alabama
" in 1980. Of the three singles from this album, only "The Cheap Seats" was made into a music video
.
"Angels Among Us
" was also recorded by Becky Hobbs
, its co-writer, on her 1994 album The Boots I Came to Town In. Alabama's rendition entered the country charts twice from unsolicited airplay: first at number 54 in 1994, and later at number 28 in January 1995 (after "We Can't Love Like This Anymore
", the first single from the band's Greatest Hits Volume 3). "Angels Among Us" also reached number 22 on the Bubbling Under Hot 100 in January 1996. "Katy Brought My Guitar Back Today" was later recorded by Rhett Akins
on his 1995 first album A Thousand Memories
. Al Anderson
, then a member of the band NRBQ
, co-wrote "A Better Word for Love", which NRBQ recorded on its 1994 album Message for the Mess Age.
tributes".
"Clear Water Blues" and "A Better Word for Love" are omitted from the cassette version.
Lead vocals by Randy Owen on all tracks, except Teddy Gentry on "Clear Water Blues" and Jeff Cook on "This Love's on Me".
Choir on "Angels Among Us": Sanctuary Choir & Young Musicians Choir of First Baptist Church, Fort Payne, Alabama
.
Country music
Country music is a popular American musical style that began in the rural Southern United States in the 1920s. It takes its roots from Western cowboy and folk music...
band Alabama
Alabama (band)
Alabama is a country music and southern rock band from Fort Payne, Alabama, United States. The band was founded in 1969 by Randy Owen and his cousin Teddy Gentry , soon joined by Jeff Cook...
. Released in 1993 on RCA Records
RCA Records
RCA Records is one of the flagship labels of Sony Music Entertainment. The RCA initials stand for Radio Corporation of America , which was the parent corporation from 1929 to 1985 and a partner from 1985 to 1986.RCA's Canadian unit is Sony's oldest label...
, the album produced the singles "Reckless", "T.L.C. A.S.A.P." and "The Cheap Seats". Of these, "Reckless" was the band's final Number One hit on the Billboard
Billboard (magazine)
Billboard is a weekly American magazine devoted to the music industry, and is one of the oldest trade magazines in the world. It maintains several internationally recognized music charts that track the most popular songs and albums in various categories on a weekly basis...
country charts, and "The Cheap Seats" was the band's first single in fourteen years to miss Top Ten of the charts. Alabama produced the album along with Josh Leo
Josh Leo
Josh Leo is an American guitarist, songwriter, and record producer active in Nashville, Tennessee.Leo was born in Des Moines, Iowa, but was raised in Kansas City, Missouri. In 1973, he moved to Chicago, Illinois and subsequently became a guitarist of the short-lived Eddie Boy Band...
and Larry Michael Lee, except for "Angels Among Us", which bassist Teddy Gentry produced.
Content
The album produced three singles on the BillboardBillboard (magazine)
Billboard is a weekly American magazine devoted to the music industry, and is one of the oldest trade magazines in the world. It maintains several internationally recognized music charts that track the most popular songs and albums in various categories on a weekly basis...
Hot Country Singles & Tracks (now Hot Country Songs
Hot Country Songs
Hot Country Songs is a chart published weekly by Billboard magazine in the United States.This 60-position chart lists the most popular country music songs, calculated weekly mostly by airplay and occasionally commercial sales...
) charts. First was "Reckless
Reckless (Alabama song)
"Reckless" is the title of a song written by Michael Clark and Jeff Stevens, and recorded by American country music group Alabama. It was released in September 1993 as the first single from their album, Cheap Seats...
", which became the band's thirty-second and final Number One hit on that chart. After it came the number seven "T.L.C. A.S.A.P.
T.L.C. A.S.A.P.
"T.L.C. A.S.A.P." is a single by American country music group Alabama. Released in December 1993, it was the second single from their 1993 album, Cheap Seats. The song reached #7 on the Billboard Hot Country Singles & Tracks chart in March 1994....
", written by Gary Baker
Gary Baker (songwriter)
Gary Baker is an American country music singer and songwriter.-Career:In the late 1970s, Baker was a musician with the LeBlanc and Carr Band. Baker was also a singer musician with the country pop band, The Shooters. He has written songs for John Michael Montgomery, Alabama and others...
and Frank J. Myers
Frank J. Myers
Frank Joseph Myers is an American country music singer, songwriter and record producer. In his career, he has written songs for John Michael Montgomery, Eddie Rabbitt, Crystal Gayle, Lonestar and others...
, who then comprised the duo Baker & Myers
Baker & Myers
Baker & Myers was an American country music duo composed of singer-songwriters Gary Baker and Frank J. Myers, who first worked as songwriters for other country music artists; one of their most notable compositions is John Michael Montgomery's 1994 crossover hit "I Swear", which won the Grammy Award...
. The album's title track was the final single release; it was co-written by Randy Sharp
Randy Sharp
Randy Sharp is a country songwriter who has written songs for Clay Walker, Patty Loveless, Reba McEntire, and the Dixie Chicks. He is also the father of Country singer-songwriter Maia Sharp. In 2002, Sharp released an album titled The Connection....
and Marcus Hummon
Marcus Hummon
Marcus Spencer Hummon is an American country music artist. After several years of playing in various bands, he eventually found his way to Nashville, Tennessee, where he was signed to a songwriting contract, and subsequently a record deal with Columbia Records, which released his debut album All...
, who also played harmonica
Harmonica
The harmonica, also called harp, French harp, blues harp, and mouth organ, is a free reed wind instrument used primarily in blues and American folk music, jazz, country, and rock and roll. It is played by blowing air into it or drawing air out by placing lips over individual holes or multiple holes...
on it. With a number thirteen peak, it became the band's first single to miss the country top ten since "My Home's in Alabama
My Home's in Alabama (song)
"My Home's in Alabama" is a song made famous by the country music band Alabama. Written by Randy Owen and Teddy Gentry, the song was released in 1980 and served as the title track to Alabama's first album for RCA Records....
" in 1980. Of the three singles from this album, only "The Cheap Seats" was made into a music video
Music video
A music video or song video is a short film integrating a song and imagery, produced for promotional or artistic purposes. Modern music videos are primarily made and used as a marketing device intended to promote the sale of music recordings...
.
"Angels Among Us
Angels Among Us
"Angels Among Us" is the title of a song written by Don Goodman and Becky Hobbs, and recorded by the American country music band Alabama. The song was released in December 1993 as a Christmas single from the band's 1993 album Cheap Seats. It charted twice on the Hot Country Songs charts...
" was also recorded by Becky Hobbs
Becky Hobbs
Becky Hobbs is an American country music singer, songwriter and pianist. She first attracted critical attention from rock journalist Stann Findelle, who also wrote the liner notes on her debut MCA album, "Becky Hobbs." She has recorded seven studio albums, and has charted multiple singles on the...
, its co-writer, on her 1994 album The Boots I Came to Town In. Alabama's rendition entered the country charts twice from unsolicited airplay: first at number 54 in 1994, and later at number 28 in January 1995 (after "We Can't Love Like This Anymore
We Can't Love Like This Anymore
"We Can't Love Like This Anymore" is a single by American country music group Alabama. Released in August 1994, it was the first single from their compilation, Greatest Hits Vol. III. The song reached #6 on the Billboard Hot Country Singles & Tracks chart in December 1994.-Chart performance:...
", the first single from the band's Greatest Hits Volume 3). "Angels Among Us" also reached number 22 on the Bubbling Under Hot 100 in January 1996. "Katy Brought My Guitar Back Today" was later recorded by Rhett Akins
Rhett Akins
Thomas Rhett Akins Sr. is an American country singer and songwriter. Signed to Decca Records between 1994 and 1997, he released two albums for the label , followed by 1998's What Livin's All About on MCA Nashville. Friday Night in Dixie was released in 2002 on Audium Entertainment...
on his 1995 first album A Thousand Memories
A Thousand Memories
A Thousand Memories is the debut album of American country music artist Rhett Akins. It was released in 1995 on Decca Records Nashville...
. Al Anderson
Al Anderson (NRBQ)
Alan Gordon "Al" Anderson is an American guitarist, singer, and songwiter. Between 1971 and the early 1990s, he was the lead guitarist in the rock band NRBQ, also releasing several solo albums. He also played electric guitar on Jonathan Edwards' 1973 album Have a Good Time for Me...
, then a member of the band NRBQ
NRBQ
NRBQ is an American rock band founded in 1967. It is known for its live performances, containing a high degree of spontaneity and levity, and blending rock, pop, jazz, blues and Tin Pan Alley styles. Its best known line-up is the 1974–1994 quartet of pianist Terry Adams, bassist Joey Spampinato,...
, co-wrote "A Better Word for Love", which NRBQ recorded on its 1994 album Message for the Mess Age.
Critical reception
Dan Cooper gave the album three stars out of five in his Allmusic review. He called the title track "way cute" and cited "A Better Word for Love" as a "quiet, morning love song". Tom Roland gave an identical star rating in New Country magazine, citing it as an "excellent example of a band that still has a chemistry holding it together" and "[n]othing monumental here, just a good, solid Alabama album". He also cited the title track as a standout for "avoiding the now-stale DixieDixie
Dixie is a nickname for the Southern United States.- Origin of the name :According to the Oxford English Dictionary, the origins of this nickname remain obscure. According to A Dictionary of Americanisms on Historical Principles , by Mitford M...
tributes".
Track listing
- "Still Goin' Strong" (Rick Bowles, Josh LeoJosh LeoJosh Leo is an American guitarist, songwriter, and record producer active in Nashville, Tennessee.Leo was born in Des Moines, Iowa, but was raised in Kansas City, Missouri. In 1973, he moved to Chicago, Illinois and subsequently became a guitarist of the short-lived Eddie Boy Band...
) - 3:00 - "T.L.C. A.S.A.P.T.L.C. A.S.A.P."T.L.C. A.S.A.P." is a single by American country music group Alabama. Released in December 1993, it was the second single from their 1993 album, Cheap Seats. The song reached #7 on the Billboard Hot Country Singles & Tracks chart in March 1994....
" (Gary BakerGary Baker (songwriter)Gary Baker is an American country music singer and songwriter.-Career:In the late 1970s, Baker was a musician with the LeBlanc and Carr Band. Baker was also a singer musician with the country pop band, The Shooters. He has written songs for John Michael Montgomery, Alabama and others...
, Frank J. MyersFrank J. MyersFrank Joseph Myers is an American country music singer, songwriter and record producer. In his career, he has written songs for John Michael Montgomery, Eddie Rabbitt, Crystal Gayle, Lonestar and others...
) - 3:31 - "Katy Brought My Guitar Back Today" (Mickey Cates, John Jarrard) - 3:09
- "On This Side of the Moon" (Mark Alan Springer) - 3:28
- "The Cheap SeatsThe Cheap Seats"The Cheap Seats" is the title of a song written by Marcus Hummon and Randy Sharp and recorded by American country music group Alabama. It was released in April 1994 as the third single from their 1993 album, Cheap Seats. The song reached #13 on the Billboard Hot Country Singles & Tracks chart in...
" (Marcus HummonMarcus HummonMarcus Spencer Hummon is an American country music artist. After several years of playing in various bands, he eventually found his way to Nashville, Tennessee, where he was signed to a songwriting contract, and subsequently a record deal with Columbia Records, which released his debut album All...
, Randy SharpRandy SharpRandy Sharp is a country songwriter who has written songs for Clay Walker, Patty Loveless, Reba McEntire, and the Dixie Chicks. He is also the father of Country singer-songwriter Maia Sharp. In 2002, Sharp released an album titled The Connection....
) - 3:53 - "RecklessReckless (Alabama song)"Reckless" is the title of a song written by Michael Clark and Jeff Stevens, and recorded by American country music group Alabama. It was released in September 1993 as the first single from their album, Cheap Seats...
" (Michael Clark, Jeff StevensJeff Stevens (singer)Jeffery David "Jeff" Stevens is an American country music singer, songwriter and record producer. He recorded two albums on Atlantic America Records with his brother Warren Stevens and cousin Terry Dotson as Jeff Stevens and the Bullets, and later as a solo artist on the same label...
) - 3:15 - "That Feeling" (Greg Fowler, Teddy Gentry, Ronnie RogersRonnie RogersRandall "Ronnie" Rogers is an American country music singer and songwriter. In the late 1970s and early 1980s, Rogers charted eight singles on the Billboard country charts, including the top 40 hits "Gonna Take My Angel Out Tonight" and "My Love Belongs to You." He recorded for the Lifesong, Epic...
) - 3:21 - "This Love's on Me" (P. J. Kimberlin, Ken Randolph, Jeff Cook, Rocky Lawrence) - 3:02
- "Clear Water Blues" (Fowler, Gentry, Rogers) - 4:05
- "A Better Word for Love" (Al AndersonAl Anderson (NRBQ)Alan Gordon "Al" Anderson is an American guitarist, singer, and songwiter. Between 1971 and the early 1990s, he was the lead guitarist in the rock band NRBQ, also releasing several solo albums. He also played electric guitar on Jonathan Edwards' 1973 album Have a Good Time for Me...
, Gary Nicholson) - 3:43 - "Angels Among UsAngels Among Us"Angels Among Us" is the title of a song written by Don Goodman and Becky Hobbs, and recorded by the American country music band Alabama. The song was released in December 1993 as a Christmas single from the band's 1993 album Cheap Seats. It charted twice on the Hot Country Songs charts...
" (Don Goodman, Becky HobbsBecky HobbsBecky Hobbs is an American country music singer, songwriter and pianist. She first attracted critical attention from rock journalist Stann Findelle, who also wrote the liner notes on her debut MCA album, "Becky Hobbs." She has recorded seven studio albums, and has charted multiple singles on the...
) - 4:09
"Clear Water Blues" and "A Better Word for Love" are omitted from the cassette version.
Alabama
- Jeff Cook – lead guitarLead guitarLead guitar is a guitar part which plays melody lines, instrumental fill passages, guitar solos, and occasionally, some riffs within a song structure...
, fiddleFiddleThe term fiddle may refer to any bowed string musical instrument, most often the violin. It is also a colloquial term for the instrument used by players in all genres, including classical music...
, vocalsSingingSinging is the act of producing musical sounds with the voice, and augments regular speech by the use of both tonality and rhythm. One who sings is called a singer or vocalist. Singers perform music known as songs that can be sung either with or without accompaniment by musical instruments... - Teddy Gentry – bass guitarBass guitarThe bass guitar is a stringed instrument played primarily with the fingers or thumb , or by using a pick....
(all tracks except "This Love's on Me"), vocals - Mark Herndon – drumsDrum kitA drum kit is a collection of drums, cymbals and often other percussion instruments, such as cowbells, wood blocks, triangles, chimes, or tambourines, arranged for convenient playing by a single person ....
, percussionPercussion instrumentA percussion instrument is any object which produces a sound when hit with an implement or when it is shaken, rubbed, scraped, or otherwise acted upon in a way that sets the object into vibration...
, vocals - Randy OwenRandy OwenRandy Owen is an American country music artist. He is known primarily for his role as the lead singer of Alabama, a country rock band which saw considerable mainstream success throughout the 1980s and 1990s. Although Alabama only records new albums on occasion, Owen himself has maintained a career...
– rhythm guitarRhythm guitarRhythm guitar is a technique and rôle that performs a combination of two functions: to provide all or part of the rhythmic pulse in conjunction with singers or other instruments; and to provide all or part of the harmony, ie. the chords, where a chord is a group of notes played together...
, vocals
Lead vocals by Randy Owen on all tracks, except Teddy Gentry on "Clear Water Blues" and Jeff Cook on "This Love's on Me".
Additional musicians
- Sam BushSam BushSam Bush is an American bluegrass mandolin player considered an originator of the Newgrass style.- History :...
– fiddle, mandolinMandolinA mandolin is a musical instrument in the lute family . It descends from the mandore, a soprano member of the lute family. The mandolin soundboard comes in many shapes—but generally round or teardrop-shaped, sometimes with scrolls or other projections. A mandolin may have f-holes, or a single... - Mark Casstevens – acoustic guitarAcoustic guitarAn acoustic guitar is a guitar that uses only an acoustic sound board. The air in this cavity resonates with the vibrational modes of the string and at low frequencies, which depend on the size of the box, the chamber acts like a Helmholtz resonator, increasing or decreasing the volume of the sound...
- Bill Cuomo – pianoPianoThe piano is a musical instrument played by means of a keyboard. It is one of the most popular instruments in the world. Widely used in classical and jazz music for solo performances, ensemble use, chamber music and accompaniment, the piano is also very popular as an aid to composing and rehearsal...
, keyboardsKeyboard instrumentA keyboard instrument is a musical instrument which is played using a musical keyboard. The most common of these is the piano. Other widely used keyboard instruments include organs of various types as well as other mechanical, electromechanical and electronic instruments...
, Hammond B-3 organHammond organThe Hammond organ is an electric organ invented by Laurens Hammond in 1934 and manufactured by the Hammond Organ Company. While the Hammond organ was originally sold to churches as a lower-cost alternative to the wind-driven pipe organ, in the 1960s and 1970s it became a standard keyboard... - Jim HornJim HornJim Horn is an American saxophonist and woodwind player. He was born in Los Angeles, and after replacing saxophonist Steve Douglas in 1959, he toured with member Duane Eddy for five years, playing sax and flute on the road, and in the recording studio...
– saxophoneSaxophoneThe saxophone is a conical-bore transposing musical instrument that is a member of the woodwind family. Saxophones are usually made of brass and played with a single-reed mouthpiece similar to that of the clarinet. The saxophone was invented by the Belgian instrument maker Adolphe Sax in 1846...
on "Still Goin' Strong" - Dann HuffDann HuffDann Huff is an American musician, session musician, singer-songwriter and producer. For his work as a producer in the Country music genre he has won several awards including the Musician of the Year award in 2001 and 2004 at the Country Music Association Awards and the Producer of the Year award...
– electric guitarElectric guitarAn electric guitar is a guitar that uses the principle of direct electromagnetic induction to convert vibrations of its metal strings into electric audio signals. The signal generated by an electric guitar is too weak to drive a loudspeaker, so it is amplified before sending it to a loudspeaker... - Bill Hullett – acoustic guitar
- Marcus HummonMarcus HummonMarcus Spencer Hummon is an American country music artist. After several years of playing in various bands, he eventually found his way to Nashville, Tennessee, where he was signed to a songwriting contract, and subsequently a record deal with Columbia Records, which released his debut album All...
– harmonicaHarmonicaThe harmonica, also called harp, French harp, blues harp, and mouth organ, is a free reed wind instrument used primarily in blues and American folk music, jazz, country, and rock and roll. It is played by blowing air into it or drawing air out by placing lips over individual holes or multiple holes...
on "The Cheap Seats" - Kirk "Jelly Roll" Johnson – harmonica on "Clear Water Blues"
- Craig KrampfCraig KrampfCraig Krampf is an American musician and songwriter.The majority of his notable credits are as a studio drummer. Since the 1970s, he has played on albums by other artists ranging from Steve Perry to Alabama to Kim Carnes to Flo and Eddie to Alice Cooper to Melissa Etheridge...
– drums, percussion - Bernie LeadonBernie LeadonBernard Mathew "Bernie" Leadon, III is an American musician and songwriter, best known as a founding member of the Eagles. Prior to the Eagles, he was a member of two pioneering and highly influential country rock bands, Dillard & Clark and the Flying Burrito Brothers...
– acoustic guitar, banjoBanjoIn the 1830s Sweeney became the first white man to play the banjo on stage. His version of the instrument replaced the gourd with a drum-like sound box and included four full-length strings alongside a short fifth-string. There is no proof, however, that Sweeney invented either innovation. This new... - Josh LeoJosh LeoJosh Leo is an American guitarist, songwriter, and record producer active in Nashville, Tennessee.Leo was born in Des Moines, Iowa, but was raised in Kansas City, Missouri. In 1973, he moved to Chicago, Illinois and subsequently became a guitarist of the short-lived Eddie Boy Band...
– electric guitar, acoustic guitar - George Marinelli – electric guitar
- Carl Marsh – synthesizerSynthesizerA synthesizer is an electronic instrument capable of producing sounds by generating electrical signals of different frequencies. These electrical signals are played through a loudspeaker or set of headphones...
stringsString sectionThe string section is the largest body of the standard orchestra and consists of bowed string instruments of the violin family.It normally comprises five sections: the first violins, the second violins, the violas, the cellos, and the double basses... - Jim Nelson – saxophone on "This Love's on Me"
- Larry Paxton – bass guitar on "This Love's on Me"
- Charles Rose – tromboneTromboneThe trombone is a musical instrument in the brass family. Like all brass instruments, sound is produced when the player’s vibrating lips cause the air column inside the instrument to vibrate...
- Brent Rowan – electric guitar
- Biff Watson – acoustic guitar
- John Willis – electric guitar, acoustic guitar; talk boxTalk boxA talk box is an effects unit that allows a musician to modify the sound of a musical instrument. The musician controls the modification by lip syncing, or by changing the shape of the mouth...
guitar on "Clear Water Blues"; electric sitarSitarThe 'Tablaman' is a plucked stringed instrument predominantly used in Hindustani classical music, where it has been ubiquitous since the Middle Ages...
on "This Love's on Me"
Choir on "Angels Among Us": Sanctuary Choir & Young Musicians Choir of First Baptist Church, Fort Payne, Alabama
Fort Payne, Alabama
Fort Payne is a city in DeKalb County, Alabama, United States. At the 2000 census the population was 12,938. The city is the county seat of DeKalb County. It bills itself as the "Official Sock Capital of the World."...
.
Chart performance
| Chart (1993) | Peak position |
|---|---|
| U.S. Billboard Top Country Albums | 16 |
| U.S. Billboard 200 | 76 |
| Canadian RPM Country Albums | 4 |