Step Right Up

1	Right Man for the Job 3:11
2	The Preacher 4:03
3	I Want You Bad 2:36
4	Desperate Times 5:46
5	The Wedding Song / Natalie Mines 4:30
6	Sweet Inspiration 4:14
7	John O'Reilly 3:32
8	Tonight 4:46
9	One in a Million 4:13
10	It Comes to Me Naturally 3:02
11	Rain 5:23
12	Life of the Party 3:44

Barnes & Noble

The world Charlie Robison documents on his powerful sophomore album is not always pretty, but it sure is moving. It's a world where well-meaning, small-town folks trying to get a leg up in life find themselves somehow undermined, and where situational ethics and looking out for No. 1 tend to prevail over fidelity and friendship. The landscape here is defined by the gritty Texan's ragged, world-weary voice; a roiling fusion of hard country and guitar-driven rock; and populist sympathies. "Desperate Times," a tale of love, crime, and betrayal that plays out over a merciless, white-hot rock arrangement, recounts how an honest cop turns to robbery to make ends meet and then is ratted out by the wife who had spurred him on in the first place. The remarkable and touching country ballad "Wedding Song" features Robison and Dixie Chick Natalie Maines in a startling prenup dialogue, each admitting "whether I ever loved you is not perfectly clear" and basically accepting, a priori, a suburban life of low expectations. Steve Earle, Guy Clark, and Bruce Springsteen are the obvious touchstones here, but Robison is not imitating anyone -- he's the real deal. David McGee

All Music Guide

There was once a time when one could easily identify the roots of country music. English, German, French, Irish, and even African-American influences came together to create this genre. Charlie Robison and his music reflect that time, but he is in no way merely referencing a purer time. He has learned lessons from his ancestors and has truly made his own sound. His rugged good looks and obvious intelligence could easily make him a poster boy for alternative country, but a deeper listen to his third release Step Right Up will reveal much more than a pretty face. The lyrics range from tender to biting to brutal and are delivered with an honesty and wit lost throughout today's country charts. Songs about murder, robbery, and stale love capture the imagination of the listener while always being thoughtful and compassionate. Robison collected a large and varied group of musicians to make this record. Notables include his brother Bruce Robison who contributes his words and his voice, session legend Jim Lauderdale who sings backing vocals, and Robinson's wife Emily Robison (Dixie Chicks) who plays banjo on several tracks. Robison is telling stories in his songs more than he is conveying feelings or desires. This too is a lost tradition from what was country music. "Desperate Times" chronicles the life of a lost Texas youth, and "John O'Reilly" oozes Irish influence with the story of an immigrant in Depression-era America. The album also includes a funny yet sadly true duet with Dixie Chick Natalie Maines called "The Wedding Song." Ultimately, Charlie Robison's Step Right Up demonstrates that sometimes an alternative is where it started in the beginning. Michael Cusanelli