Charlie Robison
Live (Sony) It’s about time Bandera native Charlie Robison put out a live album, seeing as how he’s become a seasoned road warrior since signing to Sony several years ago. Recorded just last September at Gruene Hall, you can easily imagine the flurry of sweat and Lone Star that went into Live. “Poor Man’s Son” is the kickoff rocker in a populist CCR sort of vein, followed by nods to all the Robison songs you’d expect for a rabid Gruene Hall crowd: “Loving County,” “Barlight,” and “The Wedding Song.” Robison also gets in touch with his inner classic rock hesher when he quotes Steve Miller’s “The Joker,” the Stones’ “You Can’t Always Get What You Want,” and AC/DC’s “You Shook Me All Night Long.” Robison’s lazy drawl is perfect for slower songs but could use another layer of leather for the rockers. The recording is a bit thin at times, but the band’s always in the pocket and the Hammond B3 that makes the Enablers stand out is omnipresent. This might not be Joe Ely’s Live at Liberty Lunch, but it’s definitely the right thing at the right time for Robison’s fans.
This article appears in May 30 • 2003.