Search - Charlie Robison :: Live

If I Could Give Less Then One Star I Would

Jeff J | Dripping Springs, TX United States | 05/13/2003

(1 out of 5 stars)

"Charlie Robison's "Live" cd gives new meaning to the word "mediocrity". Don't get me wrong, I am a huge fan of Charlie & his songwriting, but this cd did absolutely nothing for me. I would have loved to have seen him release a live cd, 4 or 5 years ago, when his show still had certain degree of edginess and wasn't totally predictable.
Charlie sounds content to phone in his performance, including letting the drunken audience take over singing and ruining one of my all-time favorite songs, "My Hometown". Also, does the world really need another version of "Barlight"? I think not...by my accounting "Barlight" has been recorded on 4 of his 5 cds. In my opinion, that song could've been replaced with a tastefully chosen cover song, for example: "Daddy's Little Pumpkin" (Prine), "Flatland Boogie" (Terry Allen) or "Pretend I Never Happened" (Willie). Instead Charlie chooses to take the low road and assaults the listener with blandness and bluster. This is one cd that I wish I could have both my money and time spent listening to it, back."

Representing Texas country with style and attitude!

DanD | 09/19/2004

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Charlie Robison has taken a lot of hype for recording this album. I'm wondering why the hell that is. I read all the bad reviews written about it, then went out and bought the album. I'm here, giving it a five-star review, because I absolutely loved it--and I have a feeling you will, too.



Why is that? It could be because Charlie Robison is a cult-fave down in Texas. YOU may not have heard of him, but the audience in this crowd has, as witnessed by the fact that they know the words to all of his songs. YOU may not have heard of him, because maybe you haven't gotten ahold of his previous three albums: BANDERA, LIFE OF THE PARTY, and STEP RIGHT UP. Get them, and get this one! (an album plug, I know, but they ARE good albums)



Charlie Robison may not be as good a singer/songwriter as his younger brother (songwriting maestro Bruce Robison, famed for having his songs recorded by Tim McGraw), nor be as famous as his wife (Emily Robison, the most talented of the Dixie Chicks), but he's still a good entertainer in his own right. Songs such as "Loving County" and "Barlight" could've been recorded by Willie Nelson or Johnny Cash. He transforms his brother's tunes "Poor Man's Son," "You're Not the Best," and "Tonight" (this last accompanied by a remeniscent, powerful storytelling) into country/honky-tonk masterpieces. He gets tongue-in-cheek with "Life of the Party", "Sunset Boulevard," and "Walter," a new studio recording. He pokes fun at society, stands up for what he believes in (basically, good times and beer), and entertains the heck out of his audience (including you).



LIVE isn't the best Charlie Robison CD around; his studio albums are better. But, heck, it doesn't have to be the best to be good, does it? Nah, didn't think so. Charlie Robison is overlooked quite often, but that's alright--he doesn't mind and neither do we. As long as he's making music, we'll be here, listening and singing along."

This CD Rocks

Stu Daddy | WEST TEXAS | 05/21/2003

(5 out of 5 stars)

"I just bought Charlie Robison Live and I cant stop listening to this CD. You'll like it, my fav songs are Tonight/You Shook Me All Night Long, and Life OF The Party. BUY THIS CD!"