Customer Reviews

Charleston, SC 1966

5 star:		(39)
4 star:		(14)
3 star:		(4)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(1)

 

 

Prime Cuts: We All Fall Down, Come Back Song, She's Beautiful

Hootie who? Despite being the front man of Hootie and the Blowfish, Darius Rucker has made himself such a name in country music that has made his days with the Hootie a distant memory. Not since Charley Pride has another African American country artist made such a squall on the country music front. Three consecutive number ones from his debut disc "Learn to Live" and garnering the New Artist Award at CMA have certainly firmly established Rucker as one of the mainstays of the genre. Sophomore follow -up "Charleston, SC 1966" ought to continue to give Rucker the same red carpet treatment of more awards and number one hits. Like his solo debut, "Charleston, SC 1966" continues on the same radio ready path of pop country with that occasional touch of southern charm. And just like his predecessor, Rucker has a hand in co-penning all these cuts with some of Nashville finest scribes including Brad Paisley, Ashley Gorley, Frank Rogers, Kara DioGuardi among many others.

Inspired by Radney Foster's 1992 landmark "Del Rio, TX 1959" where Foster names his Arista debut under the name of his hometown and date of birth, "Charleston, SC 1966" follows suit for Rucker. While Foster's release was a masterpiece of creative ingenuity, Rucker's counterpart is less adventurous. Not that it's a ropey effort. Rather, the songs are mostly safe and radio-targeted. Best tailored towards radio is lead single "Come Back Song" a sensitive mid-tempo acoustically driven ditty telling the story of a mildly depressed man trying to win back his paramour after committing some foolish mishaps. While the age-appropriate "Might Get Lucky" tells of a frustrated middle-aged husband trying to juggle between the kids and some fun time with the Mrs.. Brad Paisley joins Rucker in penning the randy "I Don't Care" that bares all the marks of Paisley's patented humor over a light-hearted but catchy tune.

There are a couple of soul-searching numbers including the hymn-like ballad "We All Fall Down." "We All Fall Down" truly showcases what a fine singer Rucker is especially in his impeccable delivery and his ability to emote the feelings of the song. "She's Beautiful" is another gorgeous ballad that testifies to man's contentment with his life and wife. Harkening back to his roots, "Southern State of Mind" is a ode to southern living (such as sweet tea and opening the door for the ladies) that ought to put a smile on anyone who has ever graced the south before. Nevertheless, the breakup song "I Got Nothing" and the dark bluesy "Whiskey and You" border on acceptable without being memorable. Although the Alan Jackson-influenced "The Craziest Thing" has a tad of added Cajun spice to it that ought to get our feet grooving to its infectious melody.

At the end of the day "Charleston, SC 1966" is a smooth, polished and enjoyable endeavor. And the songs all have a distinct southern feel to it that truly makes this as country as radio allows it. Nevertheless, the tracks are far too safe. It would have worked even better if Rucker loosen his grip on his pen a little--a few songs from other Nashville writers may elevate this from being relegated as a kiss radio effort.

I love this new music from Darius Rucker. "Charleston SC, 1966" is a reference to Darius Rucker's birth place and birth year.


My favorite track is the duet with Brad Paisley. "I Don't Care". This is a fun song is about living a carefree life drinking beer and looking at pretty women.

My other track is "Come Back Song". This song is about trying to get back together with someone. I love his vocals on this song. The mandolin playing by Sam Bush is excellent on this song.

"Might Get Lucky" is a song about trying to rekindle the romance in a relationship while hoping to get lucky. A lot of married people will relate to the lyrics of this song.

"Southern State of Mind" and "In A Big Way" are two songs about what a huge influence growing up in the South has on his personality. I love these two tunes. "Whiskey And You" is the prettiest song about alcohol I have ever heard. I love the musical arrangements on the song "The Craziest Thing". All the instruments on this song are excellent. I love the piano playing by Gordon Mote and banjo playing by Bela Fleck.

"We All Fall Down" is a reminder that people make mistakes and fall short sometimes. The mandolin playing is played beautifully on this song. "I Got Nothin" is another song about trying to prevent a loved one from leaving. The lyrics of this song sound very honest. I like it a lot. This is a song about learning lessons throughout life. This is a very upbeat and fun song.

"She's Beautiful" is a song learning to love the inner beauty of a woman. I like this song very much. Darius makes me like country music again. The music on this disc is so much fun.

Former Hootie & The Blowfish frontman Darius Rucker reinvented himself as a Country singer, after the dismal showing of his brilliant but overlooked Neo-Soul debut "Back To Then". It paid off as his sophomore CD "Learn To Love" went on to sell over a million in the US.

His new CD "Charleston, SC 1966" pays homage to his hometown and year of birth, as well as his friend and biggest influence Radney Foster. It is, he says, a continuation of its predecessor but I think the songs are even catchier this time around. Opening is the upbeat Rock-tinged "This" with a chorus reminiscent of Hootie & The Blowfish's "Only Wanna Be With You". Other catchy upbeat songs are "Might Get Lucky", the jangly banjo/fiddle-driven "Love Will Do That", and the traditional sounding "I Don't Care" (featuring Brad Paisley).

However, it's the albums ballads that are a revelation; "Come Back Song", "Whiskey & You" (with quivering guitars and a nice pedal steel guitar solo), "Southern State Of Mind" (in which he tells us he's a well-mannered southern gentleman who holds the door open for ladies), "Things "I'd Never Do", "She's Beautiful", "I Got Nothing" and the retro "In A Big Way". My favourite is "We All Fall Down", a truly spectacular ballad with powerful lyrics offering hope and redemption.

When Rucker veered into Country, I didn't expect to like it but surprisingly I do, and his latest should see his star continue to ascend.

Once again, Darius has given us an excellent CD. If you are on the fence... buy it, you won't be sorry.

Darius Rucker's debut album Learn To Live was very strong, and even the couple of filler tracks were easy to listen to and enjoy. Filler material is virtually absent on his new album.

Each track is unique, again exploring a variety of themes. Rucker finds himself acting the way he's always acted, despite locational displacement ("Southern State of Mind"), doing what he promised he wouldn't ("Things I'd Never Do") and kicking back and drinking with Brad Paisley ("I Don't Care").

A great sophomore album.

Standout tracks:
"The Craziest Thing"
"Whiskey and You"
"Southern State of Mind"
"Things I'd Never Do"
"I Don't Care"

For anyone who thought Darius Rucker's first solo album, LEARN TO LIVE was a fluke, let me put your mind at ease. The follow-up, CHARLESTON, SC 1966, shows Darius continuing to grow, both as a pure country singer and as a songwriter. The songs here show a writer/singer growing more comfortable with the style and genre he finds himself working in. The songs are catchy, intelligent, well-played and sung with a warm, friendly, accessible voice. So far, my favorite songs are "Southern State Of Mind" and "I Don't Care," the duet with Brad Paisley. Excellent album, highly recommended.

This ia a great CD as good or better than his first CD. Amazing music he is wonderfully talented and he lives in Charleston Sc. We are very lucky.

I had to go on a business trip the last two weeks and was doing alot of driving in the rental car. I had this cd with me a long with a few others and I found myself playing this the most. I have 6 "favorite" tracks already. There is just something about his voice and the lyrics he writes that are just so down to earth. Love Darius!

Great collection of songs! I bought this for my wife, and she is thoroughly enjoying it. I've been a fan of his for some time, and have also been enjoying this "new" sound from Darius.

This album is almost perfect. A great combination of dance around the kitchen crazy and snuggle by the fireplace music. Such powerful imagery in She's Beautiful and of course it doesn't hurt to have Brad Paisley featured. Come Back Song is the weak link but not enough to bump the overall rating to 4 stars. Treat yourself and enjoy!