Entertainment
Recent breakup fuels 'Beautiful Day'
By Andrew W. Griffin
pop writer
Charlie Robison
Beautiful Day
Dualtone
Texas-based singer-songwriter Charlie Robison, best known for quirky-'n'-catchy roots-rock songs like "Barlight" and "Walter," has been a relatively steady presence on the Texas country scene and on the periphery of the mainstream country world.
And with his new 10-song album "Beautiful Day," Robison, recently divorced from Dixie Chick Emily Robison, has released all those feelings into the 10 songs that make up "Beautiful Day," arguably Robison's best release to date.
With the assistance of professionals like guitarists Charlie Sexton and Rich Brotherton, Robison, who produced the album, sounds like a man who has awoken after a hangover and has a renewed energy, albeit fueled with a dash of spite and anger. But Robison sweetens the mix enough to make it palatable, even tasty at times.
Kicking off with the sprightly California-themed title track, Robison sings of a young woman dropping her old life and embracing a new life in California. A tired idea, at least in the song world, but it has the impact of a poppy roots-rock song like Michelle Shocked's "Anchorage" did over 20 years ago. It works.
With a staccato beat reminiscent of Beck "The New Pollution," "Yellow Blues" Robison is clearly bitter when he ruefully sings "Well promises are overrated / Vows have just become outdated / Ain't it true."
And then Robison will go from anger to acceptance of sorts on a cover of the Keith Gattis song "Down Again."
Covering the Bobby Bare Jr. song "Nothin' Better to Do," Robison sings about "two parasite hearts co-existing" in a relationship that is clearly problematic.
On "Reconsider," Robison seems desparate -- metaphorically speaking -- to patch things up. You wonder if he really means it. But then we get to "Feelin' Good," an optimistic track with some nice mandolin and accordion work propelling him along.
While it has to be hard for Robison to bare his soul in the wake of something so painful, one has to give him credit for handling the aftermath in a creative and compelling way. And for Robison let's hope this "Beautiful Day" leads to many more.
Grade - B
- Entertainment
-
-
Monthly Celtic nights celebrate culture
“Set dancing is meant to be social,” said Jean Williams, an Edmond resident who makes the trek to Norman once a month for Third Fr
- Firehouse director’s first art show at center opens tonight <p> Firehouse Arts Center Executive Director Douglas Shaw Elder will show his own work in an exhibit at the center for the first time </p>
- Norman musician brings new life to jazz <p> Champian Fulton The breeze and I Gut String Records Champian Fulton (vocals/piano) is one of those kids who old jazz musicians adore.</p>
- SXSW Oklahoma round-up <p> The annual South by Southwest Conference and Festival will take place in Austin starting tonight through March 21.</p>
- Organist to perform concert March 20 <p> The University of Oklahoma School of Music and the American Organ Institute will present Brett Valliant in concert on the Möller O</p>
-
Conan comes to Tulsa with comedy tour
Conan O’Brien will be coming to Tulsa on May 15 for his tour “Legally Prohibited From Being Funny on Television.
-
Half the price, but worth the role
When Liz Taylor heard that Sophia Loren had been offered a million dollars to co-star in “The Comedians” (1967), she told producers
-
Arts market added to Norman Music Festival
The third annual Norman Music Festival (NMF) has added a new partnership to this year’s festival.
- Films playing at Warren Theatre <p>NEW RELEASES: · Green Zone: As Chief Warrant Office Roy Miller searched the Iraqi desert for Weapons of Mass Destruction, he</p>
- Films playing at Hollywood Spotlight <p>New Releases · Green Zone: As Chief Warrant Office Roy Miller searched the Iraqi desert for Weapons of Mass Destruction, he</p>
- More Entertainment Headlines
-
Monthly Celtic nights celebrate culture
