Dixie Chicks' Influence Rubbed Off on Charlie Robison
Looks like all those years with a Dixie Chick rubbed off on Charlie Robison. He may have divorced the Chicks' Emily Robison, but it sounds like he's married to that whole fiddle and steel and mandolin brand of music. (That said, there's not one single banjo lick on the entire album.) Although he may consider himself too hip to be pigeon-holed as country, his new album, Beautiful Day, is countrier than most Texas country artists ever strive for.
There's some solid fiddle in "Middle of the Night" and "If the Rain Don't Stop." And some oddly cheery mandolin nestled in "Down Again." But even though "El Cerrito Place" was a hit video for Robison a few years ago, I don't know if this album will take him as far into the mainstream as his Lone Star country-rock brethren Pat Green and Jack Ingram.
The lyrics, though, are where Robison's true range of emotions come into play. This is not the music you play at a summer barbeque. Nor is it the straightforward life-is-tough country downers that occasionally make it onto the radio. The stories here are as deep, raw and painful as Robison's life must have been as he watched his marriage dissolve. Like on "Reconsider," which much like Faith Hill's "Cry," is a broken-hearted lament for love to come back home.
But like any strong man with a pen and a guitar, Robison is over it by track nine, "She's So Fine." I've never gone through a divorce. But if I ever do, I would want Robison's music by my side. Together we'd commiserate, bitch, plead and then move on.
©2008 Country Music Television, Inc., a Viacom company. A division of
Say What? says:
I love and miss the “Chicks!” It’s time to welcome them back to country music. Their statement in London proved to be correct after all…I’m just sayin’…
Redmaz says:
Welcome them back to Country Music? That makes no sense. The only part of Country music they were a part of was Pop Country. They’ve moved on. Just a stepping stone. By the way…what do you think of Charlie’s new CD?
Redmaz says:
Alison says…”Beatiful Day is countrier than most Texas country artists ever strive for”. Based on what Alison? List me a couple dozen or so Texas artist that you listen to regularly that fit in with Charlie, and who doesn’t strive for this.
Alison says…”I don’t know if this album will take him as far into the mainstream as his Lone Star country-rock brethren Pat Green and Jack Ingram”. What makes you think he wants to be a part of Mainstream Pop Country? There is a lot of selling out, and comprimising of musical integrity that goes along with that move. Just because Green and Ingram sold out doesn’t mean he wants to.
TxAGG says:
I mean this as objectively as possible when I say the best thing he could have done for his career was to distance himself from anything to do with the Dixie Chicks. Although I’m sorry anytime someone’s marriage ends.
Copperhead says:
I have always loves Charlie. I wore the grooves out on his live CD . I let my son listen to it and he wore the other half off.
Nor Cal Dirt says:
…”Beatiful Day is countrier than most Texas country artists ever strive for”.
Holy Crap, you silly broad. Here is some recommended listening (if you squeeze it in between rascal flat, Kenny Cheesney, T-swift, soccer practice, mini van oil change and going old school with some Lonestar):
Stoney LaRue
Jason Boland & the Stragglers
Aaron Watson
Kevin Fowler
Reckless Kelly
Randy Rogers Band
Stoney LaRue
*WARNING* This is not cookie cutter, nashville drivvle. Enjoy.
Copperhead says:
Great stuff Nor Cal. Love everyone of them.
Let me add Chris Knight. Billy Joe Shaver, Blackberry Smoke. Joe Ely. Cross Canadian Ragweed
Redmaz says:
Hey? Me too. All great music! This is the real deal. I will add…
Roger Creager
Walt Wilkins
Bleu Edmondson
Chris Wall
Adam Hood
Mando Saenz
Rodney Parker & 50 Peso Reward
solongsowrong says:
Yes, yes yes yes yes!!!!
And don’t forget about:
Dale Watson
Wayne Hancock
Ryan Bingham
Kelly Willis
Wade Bowen
Ray Wylie Hubbard