Swimming in Champagne [Enhanced]

Amazon.com
As the latest honky-tonk revivalist to emerge from Nashville, Eric Heatherly sounds like more of a rebel and less of a retro novelty than BR5-49. He brings a rockabilly swagger to roadhouse shuffles such as "Someone Else's Cadillac" and "Wrong Five O' Clock," while his falsetto-laced balladry on the title track has an otherworldly dreaminess to it. Produced by Keith Stegall, this cocksure debut presents Heatherly as the complete package: a videogenic singer who had a hand in writing every song but the first single--a revival of the Statler Brothers' "Flowers on the Wall"--and plays a lead guitar that echoes classic Creedence and Neil Young. At a time when mainstream country is floundering for direction, Heatherly seems to know exactly where he's going. --Don McLeese

Tracks:

Someone Else's Cadillac
I Just Break'em
Didn't Mean A Thing
One Night
WhyDon'tCha
Flowers On The Wall
Let Me
Swimming in Champagne
Wrong Five O'Clock
Freedom Chain
She's So Hot

Amazon.com

As the latest honky-tonk revivalist to emerge from Nashville, Eric Heatherly sounds like more of a rebel and less of a retro novelty than BR5-49. He brings a rockabilly swagger to roadhouse shuffles such as "Someone Else's Cadillac" and "Wrong Five O' Clock," while his falsetto-laced balladry on the title track has an otherworldly dreaminess to it. Produced by Keith Stegall, this cocksure debut presents Heatherly as the complete package: a videogenic singer who had a hand in writing every song but the first single--a revival of the Statler Brothers' "Flowers on the Wall"--and plays a lead guitar that echoes classic Creedence and Neil Young. At a time when mainstream country is floundering for direction, Heatherly seems to know exactly where he's going. --Don McLeese

Customer Reviews:

Looking For A Good Time - Give EH A Call.......2004-03-23

A flat out good time. This CD is all about a fun alt.country artist with Stratocaster routes way back to rockabilly. His cover of "Flowers On The Wall" makes you realize how the song was supposed to be recorded the first time around. From the title cut to "The Wrong Five O'Clock" we get a real good idea of Heatherly's range and abilities.

Oh yeah, he also features a very cool shirt in the artwork and some equally cool cars.

Surprise debut from Country/Rockabilly guitarist.......2002-01-27

Heatherly's rockabilly-tinged honky-tonk debut was probably no surprise for the hundreds of fans who turned up for his weekly gig at Tootsie's Orchid Lounge in Nashville. But for those of us not lucky enough to haunt lower-Broadway's clubs, the assuredness of his debut, and the abandon with which Mercury lets the guitar slinger go at it, are pleasant, unexpected surprises.

With his sideburns, neo-50s shirts and two-tone shoes, Heatherly fits the retro mold carved out by fellow lower-Broadway players, BR-549. But where the latter stretch back to the 40s, Heatherly's sound reaches back to the 50s hybrid of country and blues. His green Stratocaster (the only survivor of a near-fatal car-wreck) adds a twangy sting that's equal parts rockabilly and honky-tonk roadhouse, with blues influences (both guitar and vocal) from Stevie Ray Vaughn.

Ten originals, including power-ballads, two-step shuffles and blues-rockers, are complemented by a tunefully updated, rhythm-heavy remake of the Statler Brothers' "Flowers on the Wall." Several of the originals have a pop melodicism that brings to mind Rodney Crowell, and only the crossover ballad, "One Night," replete with piano and strings, gives in to the current Nashville tide. Perhaps the label thought it could break "One Night" if the upbeat tracks failed.

While none of the originals live up to the brilliance of the Statler's cover, Heatherly shows a talent for writing, picking and singing. Unlike so many of the clones churned out by the Nashville music factory, he has an actual vision for his music, and, more importantly, the ability to get a major label to share it.

3-1/2 stars, if Amazon allowed fractional ratings.

Album of the Year.......2001-12-16

This is, without a doubt, one of the best albums of 2001. I'm loathe to take this rollicking debut out of my CD player! I am not sure that the "country" moniker fits Heatherly's style -- "rockabilly" is closer to the truth -- and to be honest, most die-hard country fans probably won't like it, but rock 'n rollers certainly will. A fine addition to any CD collection, "Swimming in Champagne" is destined to become a must-have in years to come.

Really good C.D........2001-05-20

This is a pretty good C.D. and I don't even like country music! Specificly I like "Flowers on the Wall". This song was done by three generations of musicians and I think this one is the best. So if you like soft rock, with a pinch of country, this C.D. is the one for you.

Great CD from a promising newcomer.......2001-01-15

The other day I decided to compile all of my favorite songs onto a cassette that I could play in my car. While choosing the songs I realized it would be more time efficent to just go out and buy "Swimming In Champagne" in cassette form. Every song on it is now one of my favorites. "Someone Else's Cadillac" is a great, up-tempo and funny kick-off to the album. "I Just Break 'Em" shows that Eric is a real rockabilly artist and not just a cookie cutter. I don't know what to say about "Didn't Mean A Thing," but it's one of the best on the album. I can't really describe it, it's so good. "One Night" is a beautiful and haunting ballad. "Why Doncha?" is reminescent of the 50's. (In a good way.) Of course, you've already heard "Flowers On The Wall" so I don't need to tell you it's great. "Let Me" is a fun song. "Swimming In Champagne" is the best on the album. It's beautiful, well-written, haunting, and memorable, all with a pitch-perfect delivery from Eric. I would pay the full price just for this song. "Wrong 5 O'Clock" returns to "Cadillac" territory, in a humorous song about a guy who really screws up. You'll see what I mean. "Freedom Chain" is a great song, and finally "She's So Hot" is awesome. It's not quite country, it's not quite rock n roll, but it is a hot song that hooks you in from the first blast of that power chord and doesn't let you go until the end. Kind of like the album itself. So, turn up your volume all the way when you play this one. If it doesn't get you dancing nothing will.

Music Album:

Music Album