Poor Man's Son - Charlie Robison, Robison, Bruce [1]
Sunset Boulevard
Barlight
My Hometown
Don't Call Me a Fool
Arms of Love
I Don't Feel That Way
You're Not the Best - Charlie Robison, Robison, Bruce [1]
Loving Country
Waiting for the Mail - Charlie Robison, Bramblett, Damon
Indianola
Molly's Blues
Despite its title, the first nationally released album by this Texas maverick establishes Robison as considerably more than a good-time Charlie. From the sardonic bite of "Sunset Boulevard" and "You're Not the Best" to the... more » alcohol-fueled, nursery-rhyme whimsy of "Barlight," Robison provides a compelling blend of roadhouse swagger, whiplash humor, and an ornery streak that stretches from Austin to San Antonio. Label-mate brother Bruce Robison and Bruce's wife Kelly Willis provide vocal support, and the smoky balladry of the album-closing "Molly's Blues" would do John Prine or Steve Earle proud. Amid a musical landscape littered with alt-country wannabes and tinhorn rebels, Charlie Robison is the real deal, an artist who sticks to his guns. --Don McLeese« less
Despite its title, the first nationally released album by this Texas maverick establishes Robison as considerably more than a good-time Charlie. From the sardonic bite of "Sunset Boulevard" and "You're Not the Best" to the alcohol-fueled, nursery-rhyme whimsy of "Barlight," Robison provides a compelling blend of roadhouse swagger, whiplash humor, and an ornery streak that stretches from Austin to San Antonio. Label-mate brother Bruce Robison and Bruce's wife Kelly Willis provide vocal support, and the smoky balladry of the album-closing "Molly's Blues" would do John Prine or Steve Earle proud. Amid a musical landscape littered with alt-country wannabes and tinhorn rebels, Charlie Robison is the real deal, an artist who sticks to his guns. --Don McLeese
"You will love this. This CD pretty much stays in my player. Great music - Charlie comes through. If you ever get a chance, see him live."
Country Music lives in Texas, not Nashville
08/08/1999
(5 out of 5 stars)
"He's a rocker, he's a honky-tonker, he makes you laugh, he makes you think. He's Charlie Robison. The Hank Williams of the new millenium? Perhaps. He's 1 part Steve Earle, 1 part John Prine, 3 parts Texas. If there is justice in this world, Charlie Robison will be a huge star. I've seen him 3 times now. At Floore's Country Store in Helotes Tx., Cibolo Creek Country Club (near Bracken Tx.), and most recently (Sat. 8/7/99) at the Caberet in his home town of Bandera Tx. As usual, he blew the roof off the place. He is very nice and down to Earth. I have met him twice and I can attest to this first hand. He is the classic tall Texan (He's 6'3" at least) honky-tonk, rock & roll country renegade, and his brand of unbridled country filled with humor, killin', cheatin', and pure Texas attitude must surely put Nashville to shame!!"
Charlie ROCKS! ;-)
Michael Curtis | Nashville, TN USA | 02/05/2000
(4 out of 5 stars)
""Life Of The Party" is one of the best CDs I've picked up in recent years. Charlie may very well be the Ronnie Van Zant (Lynyrd Skynyrd singer-songwriter) of the 21st Century. Highlights of the CD include "Barlight", "You're Not The Best", "Sunset Boulevard", & "My Hometown". I'm willing bet that "My Hometown" & "You're Not The Best" will be referred to as classics a few years from now. I'll admit, I got into Charlie's music because I'm a Dixie Chicks fan & I wanted to see if "their banjo player's husband" was any good. Well, he is! I'm sure I would've eventually picked up (& enjoyed) his CDs even if I hadn't been a Dixie Chicks fan. His music has a politically incorrect, no BS attitude that is otherwise sorely missed in Country music today - if not music in general. GO GET THIS ONE!"
A damn good album
J. Hamlin | Dallas, TX | 02/13/2001
(4 out of 5 stars)
"I had the good fortune to meet Mr. Robison at the Sons of Hermann Hall in Dallas as "Life of the Party" was being released, and in the flurry of chicas fawning over him after the rockin' show [obviously oblivious to his recent engagement to bride [oh yeah, and Dixie Chick] Emily nee' Erwin], he was as open and warm as he was onstage, and yes, as devilishly handsome besides. And generous with his Marlboro stash, too. Charlie's one of the great things about Texas music - he's a good ol' boy [and not in the golf-course variety] who tells a good story through some great music and makes the crowd feel like they're having a party with friends. "Barlight" begs for beer and friends, and justly so, "I Don't Feel That Way" is the perfect get-over-your-ex song, "You're Not the Best" continues in a similar vein, "Poor Man's Son" jams with a Texas Tornadoes / border feel, and "Sunset Boulevard" jabs the rock-n-roll lifestyle. A great album from a talented artist from a family full of them, and a hell of a nice guy."
Texas Music at Its Best.....
ledthered | Mesquite, TX United States | 09/09/2000
(5 out of 5 stars)
"I discovered Charlie after I started listening to Dallas' great Americana station (KHYI which can be listened to on the web at www.khyi.com between 6 am and 10 pm). I love his songs, he's a great storyteller and witty as hell. This cd gets a lot of play in my car.....even my 15 yr old teen princess who normally listens to Britney, Christina, N'Sync and all that other teen garbage likes Charlie...she especially likes what she calls "The Ugly Girl Song" ("You're Not the Best"). Her favorite line "an ugly girl will leave you too but then again who really cares." There is some hope for the youth of America I guess when it comes to music. I've promised to take her to see him if he ever comes to the Sons of Hermann."