Step Right Up

Charlie Robison | Format: Audio CD

Product Details

• Audio CD (May 20, 2011)
• Number of Discs: 1
• Label: Columbia/Nashville/Lucky Dog
• ASIN: B00005AWMU
• Also Available in: Audio CD  |  Audio Cassette  |  MP3 Download
• Average Customer Review: 3.4 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (28 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #37,706 in Music (See Top 100 in Music)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

5 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Not the best, but is it really the best that he can do?, April 26, 2001

By 

RGT (Houston, TEXAS) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Step Right Up (Audio CD)

After anxiously awaiting Charlie's new release, I wondered how was he going to top his Life of the Party CD.

In particular, I was looking forward to the re-release and updated version of "Desperate Times." However, Charlie sounds as if he's tired of and simply bored with singing that song for the ten millionth time. (Do yourself a favor and check out the Bandera CD for the original.)

The cover tunes should have all been exchanged for original Robison songs, including "I Want You Bad." Again, I was curious to hear Charlie's take on "Sweetest Inspiration" by The Hollisters. However, Charlie's take was to perform it exactly like The Hollisters. He even mimics the lead singer from that great Texas band. Maybe he's secretly been their lead singer all along and we didn't know it. Say it ain't so! And what suit at the record label conned Charlie into recording "It Comes to Me Naturally!" It's simply a ridiculous song. And I don't mean funny and witty ridiculous, but just plain bad and immature.

The only saving grace are the tunes penned by Charlie &/or his brother Bruce. With such talent, why cover anyone else's songs? "One in a Million", "John O'Reilly" and "The Preacher" are true Robison tunes and reflect the unique musical ability with a twist we've all come to expect from Charlie. After listening to all the tracks, "The Wedding Song" stands out as a true masterpiece. What harmonies, what strong vocals . . . and I'm talking about the Chick!

Don't tell us you've peaked already, Charlie. Don't tell us that proverbial cookie cutter really does make sweet, dollar shaped cookies after all. I've been to several live shows and I know there's more potential than this album would have us believe. I'll buy whatever CD this guy puts out because I'm a big fan, but I guess I just expected too much. This CD has only been out for less than one month and I again anxiously await a new release from Charlie Robison.

True fans will buy it and learn to like it as I will end up doing, unfortunately many will just remain disappointed.

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars I like the damn thing, March 15, 2002

By 

Kelly Crenshaw "Kelly Crenshaw" (Washington, DC) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Step Right Up (Audio CD)

This is a good disk. The life of the party is a good disk too. I enjoy this one better than Life of the party. I know alot of poeple don't but that is me. I enjoyed "tonight" and the wedding song cracks me up. I understand this a step toward mainstream but I think he has been crass enough to keep himslef off the Clear channel network. Those guys wouldn't DARE take a chance of offending anyone anywhere.
Back to the point. I like Life Of the Party. I like this one too.

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

2.0 out of 5 stars They Should Re-Title This "Blandera", May 8, 2001

By 

Jennifer Lemons (San Diego, CA USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Step Right Up (Audio CD)

I just bought this cd and am so disappointed. Everything I love about Charlie Robison seems to have been toned down. Edgy and raw has become over-produced and commercialized. Most of the reviews I have read are using the phrase "radio friendly". Well, I think he has little chance of commercial success with this as he sounds bland and lifeless. I think there are only three songs on here worth listening to...Desperate Times (though this song certainly sounded better on his cd Bandera), the Preacher (on which he ALMOST sounds like his old self), and the Wedding Song (on which Natalie sounds better than Charlie but seems to have had her mic turned WAY down on the last chorus of the song). I guess this would be fine for someone who DIDN'T know how brilliant Charlie COULD be but it's too late for that with me.