Eleven Stories

Bruce Robison | Format: Audio CD

Product Details

• Audio CD (April 4, 2006)
• Original Release Date: 2006
• Number of Discs: 1
• Label: Sustain Records
• ASIN: B000EPFD8A
• Also Available in: MP3 Download
• Average Customer Review: 4.8 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (4 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #183,156 in Music (See Top 100 in Music)

Track Listings

1. Every Once In A While

2. Virginia

3. Tennessee Jed

4. More and More

5. Days Go By

6. All Over But The Cryin'

7. Don't Call It Love

8. You Really Let Yourself Go

9. I Never Fly

10. Kitchen Blues

11. Bandera Waltz

Editorial Reviews

Amazon.com

As a performer, Bruce Robison isn't nearly as well known as his wife, Kelly Willis (who contributes plenty of duet and background vocals here); his brother, Charlie Robison; or his sister-in-law, Emily Robison of the Dixie Chicks. But top country artists all know him and eagerly await each of the songwriter’s albums, because they invariably introduce hit-bound material (the Dixie Chicks, George Strait, and Tim McGraw have all scored big with his songs). The smash-just-waiting-to-happen here is the album's centerpiece, "All Over But the Cryin'," a romantic ballad about hanging on to a relationship that has lost its spark. The bittersweet "Don't Call It Love" also has plenty of commercial possibility, though Robison's strength as a songwriter is that he never sounds like he's writing to formula or with an ear toward radio. His well-crafted material just goes down as easily as the acoustic, folkish arrangements that dominate the album. His gentle melodies and vocal warmth belie the comparative darkness of "Days Gone By" and the regret of "Every Once in Awhile," while the hardcore roadhouse of "You Really Let Yourself Go," evoking the Buck Owens/Dwight Yoakam school, provides a chance of pace. The choice of covers makes this Robison's most varied release to date, as "Tennessee Jed" highlights the back-porch country side of the Grateful Dead, "More and More" (a duet with Wills) channels Webb Pierce, and "Bandera Waltz" toasts Robison's hometown in the Texas hill country. --Don McLeese

About the Artist

Bruce Robison is a towering figure in the Texas music scene. Not only because of his physical stature (he's six-foot-seven), but also because of his reputation for writing emotionally complex songs that have hooks a mile wide-the kind of songs that send mainstream country stars running to the recording studio. Artists like Tim McGraw, Garth Brooks, Lee Ann Womack and the Dixie Chicks have discovered what fans of this Texas-born tunesmith have long known, he writes songs of substance that tattoo themselves across the heart and don't easily let go. That knack came from years of hard work perfecting his craft.

He settled on Austin, Texas, the live music capital of the world. That's when Bruce began to take songwriting seriously. The reason was simple-it satisfied his soul. "Music sparked something in me that was undeniable," he says. "When I started writing songs it felt so natural and good that I knew I needed to pay attention to the music. That put me on the path that I've been going down ever since."

It's a path that's led to an interesting geographical plurality. His music career had been the tale of two cities-Austin and Nashville. One stokes the creative fires and the other keeps the business embers burning. "In Texas and really in most cities it's all about playing live. There are places to go see music and that's what it's all about. In Austin there's a ton of places to go see music and that's what it's all about. In Austin there's a ton of places to play original music-probably more than any place on the planet. In Nashville, it's where they keep all the business. That's where all the stuff that's on the radio gets done. That's the main difference. I go to Nashville to do business and I come home to make music." After releasing a pair of critically lauded albums, his songwriting career began to take off. His success as a songwriter allowed him to get out of his label deal so he could put his music out himself.

"Having my first hit song gave me the opportunity to walk away from Sony," he says. "I wanted to give it a shot on my on my own. But as my career has evolved, it's gotten to the point where I don't have time to do anything, much less run my own label." So when he assembled a batch of songs that made up an album, he began looking for someone to help him put them out. He partnered up with Texas-based Sustain Records for his latest release, Eleven Stories, because the company had roots in the Lone Star State's vibrant music scene. "They're based here in Texas and they understand this music community. They also get what I do and will be able to market my music. It just seems like a good fit."

As Eleven Stories unfolds it is apparent Robison's instincts were right on the money with this song cycle. This is more than just a collection of individual songs, it's an album in the best sense of the word-a group of songs with a cohesive flow that strengthens the impact of the individual songs.

Through it all, Robison writes unflinchingly about the heartache, despair, joys and little victories that are a part of everyday life. In the telling of these eleven stories this long, tall Texan has crafted a masterwork that illuminates the human condition. Of course this humble tunesmith would never accept such lofty praise. He would turn the conversation to something basic, something elementally truthful, but simple. He says, "I try and remember there's something special about music. If it was just poetry then it would be poetry. Music is about emotion and feelings and getting to the point where it feels good to listen to it-the rhythm and groove of it. I'm trying to make music that feels good."

Mission accomplished.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Yet another stellar album by this masterful singer/songwriter, April 8, 2006

By 

DanD - See all my reviews
(TOP 1000 REVIEWER)    (VINE VOICE)   

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Eleven Stories (Audio CD)

Bruce Robison has a knack. I'm not quite sure what it is, but it exists. Whatever it is, it allows him to tap into raw emotion, brutal honesty--to grab your heart with a lyric and smooth vocals, wrench it out of your chest, give it a lecture on heartbreak, and then put it back safe and sound. A rather gruesome analogy, perhaps, but that's how I feel after I listen to a Bruce Robison album--whether it's one I'm listening to for the first time, such as ELEVEN STORIES, or one I've owned for years.

The songs on this album are, indeed, stories. Stories about love and loss, about moving through life and doing what you have to. His own originals continue the melancholy, this-is-the-way-it-is theme of his previous effort, COUNTRY SUNSHINE, and are just as good as the tunes on that marvelous album. There's the desperate "Days Go By" (don't you dare confuse this with the Keith Urban song; if you do, there is no reason why you should be reading this review, or even purchasing this album), the whimsical "You Really Let Yourself Go," the whistful "Every Once in A While." His choice of covers--"Tennessee Jed," "More and More," and "Bandera Waltz"--come off sounding just as good as his own tunes. The overall effect is yet another masterpiece by one of today's best singer/songwriters. Combining traditional and cutting edge folk with raw, unbridled country music, Robison continues to craft music that skirts the edges of Nashville mainstream, but proves itself just as good--even better, in most instances--than the music of his mainstream peers. If you're not already a fan of Robison's music, ELEVEN STORIES is a fine place to start. If you ARE a fan of his music...then why are you reading this? You already know you're getting a great album. Buy it already!!!

5.0 out of 5 stars Excellent, August 10, 2007

By 

scotdog "KC" (Dallas) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Eleven Stories (Audio CD)

From one Texan to another . . . it doesn't get any better than either of the Robison brothers! I have seen Bruce at several local clubs & he is so genuine & talented. What can I say besides Excellent!

5.0 out of 5 stars Too bad he doesn't get more mainstream airtime., August 11, 2006

By 

lizard lick "ne" (NC USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Eleven Stories (Audio CD)

Eleven Stories is a good collection of well written songs and well selected covers. Bruce Robison is a great songwriter and has not faultered on this album. Lots of good musicians helping out too(Keith Gattis, Kelly Willis, etc.)

They lyrics are emotional and touching and the music is great. His songs always find a way to hit home. Unlike some songwriters you always seem to know what Bruce is singing about, even if you don't know. Great music for Sunday drive or and afternoon hanging outside.