Long Way Home from Anywhere

Amazon.com
James Taylor has cast a large shadow over today's country hit-makers, but for the most part, Nashville's earnest young troubadours more closely resemble such watered-down Taylor imitators as Dan Fogelberg or J.D. Souther than the man himself. Bruce Robison, the long tall Texan who married Kelly Willis, does one of the best country impersonations of Taylor because he understands the value of understatement. On his sophomore album, Robison fills his lyrics with so many visual details and gives his folkie melodies such a relaxed flow that he can afford a low-key, seductive vocal delivery, trusting the songs to take care of themselves. His subject matter--a waitress in love with a Vietnam soldier, a guy who wants to be more than a best friend to a woman, a giddy newlywed groom, a lonely man on the road--is well worn, and, except for one Western swing tune, the music has few traces of honky-tonk, but it is elegant singer/songwriter pop in the best Taylor tradition. --Geoffrey Himes

Tracks:

Drivin' All Night Long
Just Married
Red Letter Day
Travelin' Soldier
The Good Life
Trouble
Anymore Good Lovin'
What Did You Think
Emotionally Gone
Long Way Home From Anywhere

Amazon.com

James Taylor has cast a large shadow over today's country hit-makers, but for the most part, Nashville's earnest young troubadours more closely resemble such watered-down Taylor imitators as Dan Fogelberg or J.D. Souther than the man himself. Bruce Robison, the long tall Texan who married Kelly Willis, does one of the best country impersonations of Taylor because he understands the value of understatement. On his sophomore album, Robison fills his lyrics with so many visual details and gives his folkie melodies such a relaxed flow that he can afford a low-key, seductive vocal delivery, trusting the songs to take care of themselves. His subject matter--a waitress in love with a Vietnam soldier, a guy who wants to be more than a best friend to a woman, a giddy newlywed groom, a lonely man on the road--is well worn, and, except for one Western swing tune, the music has few traces of honky-tonk, but it is elegant singer/songwriter pop in the best Taylor tradition. --Geoffrey Himes

Customer Reviews:

Great Texas songwriter finds his performing voice.......2006-05-27

The brilliance of Bruce Robison's talent as a songwriter isn't always matched by his low-key delivery. He delivers his visions as keenly drawn four-minute musical novellas, but often undersells the intricate pictures with folk-styled recordings that leave larger stars to bring the songs to wider acclaim. No such problem this time out, as Robison steps up to a more electric sound without losing his singer-songwriter soul.

In "Travelin' Soldier" he renders youth-shattering loss with heartbreaking imagery and a haunting chorus that culminates on a seamless blend of classical strings, pedal steel, and harmony vocals from wife Kelly Willis. As fine as The Dixie Chicks cover may be, it can't match this version for storytelling. Robison's songs of marriage capture the exultation of love's bond ("Just Married" - performed at brother Charlie's marriage to Dixie Chick Emily Erwin) as well as the thornier realities of weddings ("Emotionally Gone"). He ranges from introspective ballads ("What Did You Think") to Texas-flavored honky-tonk ("The Good Life," "Red Letter Day") to electrified country road songs, and shifts effortlessly from the folky style of James Taylor to the rockier sounds of Steve Earle all while retaining a distinct lyrical voice.

Though Robison's catalog is chock-full of great songs, this release is easily my favorite of his performances. [©2006 redtunictroll at hotmail dot com]

Bruce Robison knows how to deliver!.......2002-08-07

In all honesty, Bruce Robison is probably the BEST country singer/songwriter living today. His music winds its way through your ears and into your heart...every song on this album is unforgettable and unbelievable, but I must restrict myself to just a few right now. The rest shall be an enticing mystery...

"Drivin' All Night Long" kicks the album off, a mournful tune of trying desperately to reunite with a loved one. "Just Married" tells of a marriage going down the drain, and "Red Letter Day" is a country-rockin' song of the blues ("It's a red letter day for the blues"). "Travelin' Soldier" is much better here than the Dixie Chicks' and Ty England's versions. It is probably the standout track, of a soldier going to war and those back home who love him. "What Did You Think" is typical Bruce Robison, a ballad of love and frustration. And the final song, the title track, is a good "road song"; a man who just doesn't belong in Nashville...or anywhere else.

His brother sings, his sister-in-law sings, but Bruce Robison stands alone. His talent is matched by few in the alternative country style, and his voice and lyrics are classic. Bruce Robison knows how to deliver a good CD...and "Long Way Home From Anywhere" is one of the best of them.

too bad everybody is stealing his songs.......2001-10-03

this is a very good album from an honest ,sincere singer/songwriter........i love every song,especially "trouble"......bruce reminds me kinda of james taylor.....it is hard to beleive that he and charlie are brothers

Great disc for ANY music lover........2001-05-07

This is Bruce Robison's third cd, if you don't count the first release of wrapped, which contained 2 tracks not available on the one available at amazon.com. This is great stuff, a true "must have" no matter what kind of music you prefer. If this is too mellow for you try his brother Charlie.

Great CD!.......2001-02-27

One of my favorite albums I have bought in a long time.

Music Album:

Music Album