Charlie Robison

(Columbia) Recorded during two shows at the legendary Gruene Hall, Live shows why Charlie Robison is one of the biggest draws on the Texas Music circuit. Though he hasn't as yet had his breakthrough hit to make him a national household name, you'd never guess it from this disc. The crowd is thoroughly pumped, and you can hear them singing along with every word in the background. Charlie even hands them over a verse here and there.

The set consists of several long time Robison crowd favorites from his independent releases, along with a sprinkling of cuts from his last studio album (and first major label release), Step Right Up. Helping Charlie bring his songs to incredible life is his impeccable backing band, The Enablers: Dave Appel (Hammond 3-B Organ, keyboards, piano), Kevin Carroll (lead guitar), Kim Dechamps (pedal & lap steel, mandolin), Scott Esbeck (bass, background vocals) and Keith Robinson (drums).

The disc kicks off in high gear with the infectious Bruce Robison penned and Doug Sahm influenced Texas gumbo of "Poor Man's Son," with 3-B pulsating throughout. Next up is the irreverent tongue-in-cheek honky tonker, "You're Not The Best." Charlie delivers a funky take that raises the sex appeal meter on "Right Man For The Job" that blows the doors off the studio version. A real standout is the slow, bluesy, dark and haunting tale of love, murder and betrayal, "Loving Country," one of Charlie's very best songs. He provides some terrific soulful vocals on the twisted irony of "The Preacher."

Live's centerpiece and highlight is the stellar eleven minute plus version of "Tonight," which Charlie starts off with the tale of his and brother Bruce's teenage years in Bandera before moving into the actual song. In the middle of the song, he intertwines verses of AC/DC's "You Shook Me All Night Long," slowed down to ballad speed, and then moves back and forth between the lyrics to both songs. The entire piece works perfectly as a poignant reminiscence of youth and really spotlights Charlie's amazing creativity and diversity.

Further proving to expect the unexpected from Charlie, he next hits you with a few verses from Ted Nugent's "Stranglehold," leading the way into a butt kicking rendition of his driving honky tonker "Barlight." In keeping with the theme of drinkin', no Charlie Robison show would be complete without "Life Of The Party," and he provides the appropriate wobble to this great shuffling version. He next tackles the outstanding "The Wedding Song," which was a duet with Natalie Maines on the disc Step Right Up. However, because Natalie can't be there to sing her verses at Charlie's live shows, he uses audience volunteers to stand in and sing her parts. This version's no exception, and the obviously thrilled chorus of girls chosen to sing here do a fine job, and a good time seems to have been had by all.

Charlie once again uses a bit of classic rock as an opening to his own songs, this time The Rolling Stones' "You Can't Always Get What You Want" which moves into his song of self-destructive heartbreak, "Sunset Boulevard." He then delivers an exhuberant and spirited bit of the Irish with another standout, "John O'Reilly." He shifts gears again with another round of covers done reggae style- Steve Miller's "The Joker" which moves into Bob Marley's "Three Little Birds" and keeping the reggae beat, he then moves into "Luckenbach, Texas" before finally landing in the disc's closing live track, a poignant but rousing steel laden rendition of his terrific "My Hometown," where Charlie gladly lets the audience take over on vocals for a verse.

Live closes with a newly recorded studio track, the Jay Knowles/Cory Mayo penned "Walter," a country-rocker about a guy who's unhappy about the guy the girl who dumped him is now seeing.

Live serves as a first rate testament that Charlie Robison is one of the most creative artists out there today, and one of the best Texas has to offer. His original songs (as well as those either written by brother Bruce or both brothers in tandem) are strong and intelligent, but also often witty and full of humor, and sometimes brash and pull no punches. The kind that connect deeply with people. The kind that people know all the words to and sing along with. His ease and comfort on stage shows how well he in turn connects with his audience, and Live really shows how he much he obviously enjoys what he's doing- whether going for more thought provoking subjects or just flat out trashy humor- everyone's having a good time...the performers, the audience, and to our good fortune in this case, the listener.