Customer Reviews

Simple Man

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

 

 

I was in college when "The Devil Went Down To Georgia" became a hit for the Charlie Daniels Band and Million Mile Reflections, the album that contained that song, went platinum. Million Mile Reflections is a classic, but I think Simple Man comes close. The title song is one of Charlie Daniels' classic Southern anthems, and he and his CDB bandmates rock out elsewhere on the record. The opening song "What This World Needs Is A Few More Rednecks", like "Simple Man", is a good old Southern country rocking song from Charlie, as is the toe-tapping song "Oh Atlanta", where Charlie showcases some of his fine fiddle work. The bluesy concluding number "It's My Life" is also a strong song. Furthermore, Charlie is a strong ballad singer. "Was It 26", "Midnight Wind", "Saturday Night Down South", "Old Rock 'N Roller", and "Mr. DJ" are all great ballads by Charlie and his CDB bandmates. If there's a weak link on Simple Man, I think it's "Play Me Some Fiddle". "Play Me Some Fiddle" is an OK song, but I don't think it's as good as Charlie's other fiddle anthems--"Texas", "The South's Gonna Do It", "Ragin' Cajun" and the aforementioned "The Devil Went Down To Georgia". "Play Me Some Fiddle" is too long(almost five minutes) and the story line--a bar patron gets into a fight which the cops break up--has literally been done to death in other songs. Even "Oh Atlanta", this record's other fiddle tune, is better than "Play Me Some Fiddle", at least in my opinion. Still, I think Charlie put together one solid album in Simple Man. I like this record, and I think anybody who likes the Charlie Daniels Band should have Simple Man in his collection.

I have a CD rack that is under my monitor. This CD is right there so that it is easy for me to get at. Being a blue collar worker all my life, these songs are about values that I hold dear. I never get tired of this CD and can put it on replay without any problems. When I find that the way that the world is going, this CD is one of the ones that help me realize that the values I hold dear are still important. I find this CD to be one that I would recommend to anyone to have in their collection, no matter what their musical tastes are.

Another very good CD from Charlie Daniels. From the opening track of "A Few More Rednecks" to the final notes of "It's My Life" there are no weak songs here.

On this CD, like so many others, Charlie captures the essence of the working man. The attitude with lines like "yes I drive a pick up truck and I'm full of American Pride" and "I'd hang him up high on a short piece of rope and let him swing till the sun goes down" - a little vigilante justice for a drug dealer who got off. The loneliness associated with a truck driver on "Mister DJ" and the thoughts back to old partying times "Was It 25 or 26".

This album has soul running through it and will be an excellent addition to anyone who likes music. It's a "new classic".

I believe this is the greatest album ever done by Charlie Daniels Band. It is good from beginning to end. For some reason, this record never got a lot of airplay. It might have been changing times. It deserved a lot more recognition than it got. There are a couple songs on here that are almost never heard by anybody that didn't purchase the record, and they are great!

"(What This World Needs Is) A Few More Rednecks" is an ode to the country way of life. It resonates as much today as it did when Charlie recorded it in 1989. Other songs have been done in this genre, but none like this one. It's worth a listen.

"Was It 26" is a haunting song about lost time in a life. It hit me deeply.

"Old Rock 'N Roller" is about an old bar singer who never quite made it yet never could quite quit. It reminds me of friends and relatives I know who play in bar bands. It's in their blood.

This is a good record. You won't regret buying it. I think it's the best Charlie ever put together. On a side note, I saw Charlie Daniels Band in concert a couple years ago. He's still a fireball on stage.

As much as I've tried to like the new Charlie that has recorded over the past few years, the truth is that just like several of his more recent albums, this one leaves me wanting. Oh, the production's fine and the playing is fine, but the fire of the content of the material is just not there for me. I long for the days of old when Charlie wrote more about the real issues that plagued the common man in songs like "Land of Opportunity" and "Grapes of Wrath" and left out the formula driven pablum that seems to be the normal fare for him and most of the other remaining Southern Rock artists. Charlie, the fans that loved and supported you in the 70's are still there... and we're waiting for your return.

Not as good as Charlie's southern rock cd's but still a great album. Simple Man(a classic) and Oh Atlanta are my favorite songs. A Few More Rednecks, Was it 26, Saturday Night down South, Old Rock N Roller, and Mr. DJ are also good songs. Play me some Fiddle was the weakest song on the album. It would normally be considered good, but it is not on Par with Charlie's other fiddle songs.

Simple Man is definatly a must buy.I love the songs, Was it 26,Simple Man,Rednecks,Mr. DJ and Old Rock n Roller, there classics! A MUST BUY!!!!!

This album was released in 1989 and is one of country's best. This album is one of the reasons why Charlie Daniels is a Legend.