Hootie & The Blowfish Album: “Musical Chairs”

Description :

Hootie & The Blowfish: Darius Rucker (vocals, guitar, mandolin); Dean Felber (acoustic guitar, bass, background vocals); Mark Bryan (guitar, banjo, background vocals); Jim Sonefeld (bass, drums, percussion, background vocals). <p>Additional personnel includes: Susan Cowsill, Gena Rankin (vocals); Peter Holsapple (guitar, mandolin, dobro, accordion, piano); David Immergluk (slide & pedal steel guitars); Boyd Tinsley, Joel Derouin, Bruce Dukov, Armen Gahabedian, Rachel Purkin (violin); Robert Becker (viola); Suzie Katayama, Larry Corbett (cello); John Nau (harmonica, piano, Wurlitzer, Hammond B-3 organ); Leroi Moore (soprano & alto saxophones); Patrick Warren (chamberlin); Gary Greene (percussion). <p>All tracks have been digitally mastered using HDCD technology. <p>MUSICAL CHAIRS finds Hootie and the Blowfish ready to take some musical risks. On their first two albums, Hootie and company latched onto what turned out to be a wildly popular formula, testing out various styles of music by sticking just their little toes in, but always gravitating back to the comfortable soup of easy-on-the-ears perky pop. MUSICAL CHAIRS is unmistakably Hootie, with Darius Rucker's warm baritone leading the way, accompanied by rich vocal harmonies and jangly guitars, but it takes chances on songs like the undeniably bluegrassy "Desert Mountain Showdown," with Peter Holsapple guesting on dobro and Rucker strumming a mandolin with aplomb. With its abundance of guest musicians and the band's joint efforts at songwriting, this album comes across as eminently collaborative, and it is all the better for it--the richest, most honest Hootie and the Blowfish offering thus far.

Having bought their first two CDs, I had been waiting for so long for this third album. I got the first two in the summer of '96, when I was a real Hootie fanatic, but my interest in the band had sort of faded. But this release brought back my fascination as clear as could be! "Musical Chairs" is a masterpiece, a heart-felt work of art. While "Cracked Rear View" was one of the best records of all time, and "Fairweather Johnson" was good, although a bit too much on the bluesy side, this release is a combination of style from both of them, as well as a few things never before seen from this band. I first heard "Desert Mountain Showdown" performed live on MTV, and this is really just a care-free, feel-good song. The opening tracks "I Will Wait" and "Wishing" are two of the very best on the CD, and the guitar on "Bluesy Revolution" is amazing. "Las Vegas Nights" has a distinctive Calypso feel to it, and "Only Lonely" is one of the saddest, most beautiful songs I've heard in a long time. On the whole, this is Hootie & The Blowfish's most mature collection of music, and may very well be their best effort yet.

I'm from Costa Rica and the songs from Cracked Rearview were known and popular in the radios even in my country but I tell you folks... this is even better than Cracked Rearview, I really enjoy listening to this record once and over again... it's amazing.. I can't get enough.. these guys are the best!

Of course, aside of Counting Crows, the best U.S. bands ever!

Like Matchbox Twenty, who followed in their footsteps, Hootie & The Blowfish, combine alterna-pop, Southern Rock, and heartland rock, but add a folk influence to their sound. This album shows considerable growth from their first two, without losing the excitement of CRACKED REAR VIEW, but pulling back on some of the dark tones of FAIRWEATHER JOHNSON. This album has as many potential singles as CRACKED REAR VIEW, and several of its songs were hits. Get this one after CRACKED REAR VIEW.

I should have wrote this when the album first came out...Excellent! I think the boys really show their range in this album. It isn't typical Hootie, which is what the fans want! Darius's voice is amazing and is showcased well on songs such as "What do you Want from Me Now". I can't wait for the next group album!

After the disappointment with the release of 'Fairweather Johnson'(at a time when 'Cracked Rear View was still enjoying a huge successful run in the charts), Hootie and the Blowfish have come back with an impressive 3rd album. 'Musical Chairs' is absolutely great. I questioned purchsing another CD after my disappointment, but I decided they needed another chance. I was very impressed. The songs are powerful, and they have feeling. The dynamics and chord choices are impressive considering their pop history. This is going to be a big winner for Hootie and the Blowfish. Give this album a chance. The public is definitely ready for the artistry. Trust me, you won't be disappointed. Happy Listening!!