The new CD out from Charlie Robison titled Beautiful Day is the best alt/country CD that I have heard in quite awhile. Charlie Sexton is a very talented guitarist who makes it better, sparse yet full sound and very good production. Plus great instrument tones, balance, not too loud and great dynamics. This is simply ten great songs. Robison let a divorce turn into a great country album. His vocals are killer, as are the emotive backup vocals, great drums and B-3 by Bukka Allen.

"Down Again" (Keith Gattis) is awesome. It has a powerful syncopated beat, with a bluesy feel, great lead guitar break by Charlie Sexton. These melodies really get into you.

"Nothin' Better To Do" (Bobby Bare) is a great upbeat country rocker that has a bouncin' groove. The drummer is really good here, out front in the mix. This song really shows what a great production this is.

"Reconsider" (Gattis, Brocco) You would think that Robison wrote this as the lyrics sink in. Some very nice pedal steel. Robison really gets into the vocals on this song which has a ballad feel. "But if I tried would you reconsider, reconsider comin home".

"Feelin' Good" (Robison) An upbeat country acoustic rocker with excellent instrumentation. Kevin Carroll plays electric guitar here, This track will leave you "Feelin Good Again".

"If The Rain Don't Stop" - Another uptempo feel good country rocker by Robison with some great fiddle by Warren Hood and Carroll on lead guitar again. Nice accordion on this track as well, and then a surprise segue into "Middle Of The Night", a bit slower song, now that was excellent.

Robison finishes the CD with Springsteen's "Racing in the Street", a really fine version with all acoustic sounding guitars and B-3.

There is no reason why one of these songs could not be a top 40 Hit. The songs are excellent and really sound country, better than most of the slick stuff coming out of the Nashville scene.

BTW, really nice artwork on the CD cover, lyrics and liner notes, I like that. Deep down inside, this mix is warm, has a real analog feel to it. This is a winner from the get go. Nothin' fancy, just some great songs, freedom to play and demons to be exorcised. Music is great therapy.

On Dualtone records.